Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is grounded in the study and application of martial techniques from medieval and Renaissance sources. While traditions and systems vary, from German longsword to Italian rapier and beyond, there are core techniques that form the basis of effective practice across disciplines. Mastery of these fundamentals provides the foundation for more advanced tactics and interpretations.
1. The Guard Positions (Posta, Huten, Guards)
Understanding and adopting guard positions is essential. They are not static stances, but transitional positions that prepare the practitioner to strike, defend, or respond. In the German tradition, guards like Vom Tag, Alber, Ochs, and Pflug offer both offensive and defensive potential. The Italian tradition includes Posta di Donna, Posta Longa, and others, each with tactical nuance.
2. The Oberhau (Descending Cut)
A downward diagonal cut, usually delivered from the shoulder or high guard. It targets the head or shoulder and is one of the most common opening attacks. Timing, angle, and hip movement are key. It’s often used to establish dominance in the centre line.
3. The Unterhau (Ascending Cut)
This upward diagonal strike, often overlooked by beginners, can serve both offensive and defensive roles. Delivered from a low guard, it can target hands, arms, or open lines left by high cuts.
4. Zwerchau (Thwart Cut)
A horizontal cut that breaks through vertical attacks, used prominently in the Liechtenauer tradition. The edge alignment and rotational power of the body are crucial. It is often used in bind-breaking or counter-cutting situations.
5. Winden (Winding)
A core concept in the German longsword tradition, winding involves rotating the sword around the bind to control the opponent’s blade and create openings. It blends offence and defence, setting up thrusts or displacing attacks.
6. Fühlen (Feeling the Bind)
The tactile sense gained through blade contact. This principle allows a practitioner to read the opponent’s intent through pressure and movement. It’s a foundation for reactive techniques and helps inform decisions in real time.
7. Thrusting (Stich, Punta)
A direct and often decisive attack. In both longsword and rapier traditions, the thrust is a fast, linear strike that can be fatal if properly delivered. Distance control and precision are essential.
8. Parries and Counter-Parries
Basic defensive techniques involving deflection rather than direct opposition. Practitioners must learn to parry in all directions while maintaining structure and readiness to riposte.
9. Absetzen (Setting Aside)
A technique that intercepts and simultaneously deflects the opponent’s attack while delivering a thrust. It is efficient and exemplifies the principle of simultaneous defence and offence.
10. Footwork (Stepping, Advancing, Retreating, Passing)
No technique matters if the feet are not in the right place. Good footwork allows control of distance, angle, and timing. Practitioners must be comfortable with linear and offline movement, with steps like the passing step, gathering step, and advancing lunge forming the core.
These techniques, while foundational, are not isolated skills. Each is part of an interconnected framework grounded in timing, distance, structure, and intent. The goal of the HEMA practitioner is not to memorise moves, but to understand how and why they function in context. Historical sources offer the framework; interpretation and pressure-testing give them life.
