Footwork Warm-ups

• Rounds (Right side forward, direction chance, Left side forward, left side back, direction change right side back) for  

  • Simple step 

  • Passing step 

  • Offline gather steps  

  • Offline passing steps 

  • Gather step 

• Compass steps  

• Direction changes  

Sword Warm-ups  

• Clockwork with all guards 

• Rounds with all guards and transfers  

• Master cut rounds  

• Scorpion cuts  

• Zwerch infinity cuts

• 80x120

• AP numbered cuts  

• Combinations 

Clockwork drill

• Start on the right side and transition through

  • Vom Tag

  • High Vom tag

  • Ochs

  • Pfluge

  • Alber

  • Langort

  • Schranckhut

  • Nebenhut

• Switch to the left side and repeat

  • The goal of this drill is to familiarize the new student with all the German names and what each guard feels like and how they flow together, as well as the prder we drill our guards in 

Guard rounds

• Start in Vom Tag on the right

• Perform two Oberhaus, and Unterhaus with passing steps, direction change and repeat on the left side. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started

• Without stopping, transition to high Vom tag and repeat the strikes, direction change and come back on the left side. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started

• Move to Ochs and perform two Middlehaus, thrusts, and Unterhaus, direction change and repeat on the left. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started

• Without stopping, move to Pflug and perform two thrusts, direction change, left side. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started

• Transition to Alber and perform 2 false edge Unterhaus, direction change and repeat on the left. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started.

• Move to Langort, 2 thrusts, direction change, left side repeat. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started.

• Schranckhut, 2 transitions, direction change, repeat on the left. Repeat on the left moving backward, direction change, repeat moving backward on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started.

• Nebenhut, unterhau, oberhau (with the false edge), direction change repeat starting on the left. Repeat on the left moving backwards, direction change, repeat moving backwards on the right. You should end up on the same side facing forward back where you started.

• End in Vom Tag on the right side facing forward

  • This drill helps to familiarize students with the cuts and guards and provides a way to practice them in small spaces like a dorm room. Additionally it also builds muscle memory and familiarity with the movements that form the foundation of the system.

Master cut rounds

• Start in Vom Tag on the right and do the following, always reset to Vom Tag unless otherwise noted 

  • Zornhau from right to left

  • Zornhau from left to right

  • Zwerchhau from right to left at the upper left opening

  • Zwerch from left to right at the upper right opening

  • Zwerch from right to left at the lower left opening

  • Zwerch from left to right at the lower right opening

  • Krumphau from right to left

  • Krumphau from left to right

  • From Schranckhut perform a Krumphau from right to left

  • From Schranckhut perform a Krumphau from left to right

  • Schielhau (false edge) from right to left

  • Schielhau from left to right

  • Scheitelhau from right to left

  • Scheitelhau from left to right

  • Direction change and repeat starting on the left side

Scorpion cuts

This is a fun drill you can use as a party trick and teaches familiarity with false edged cuts from Nebenhut.

• Start in right Nebenhut and cut a false edged Oberhau into right Ochs (like the tail of a scorpion)

• Circle around and cut a true edged Oberhau with a passing step, ending in Nebenhut on the left side, repeat to end back on the right side

• Do a false edged rising cut then a true edge rising cut with a step, ending up in left Ochs

• Do the same from left to right

Zwerch infinity cuts

This is a basic drill for practicing the different variations of the zwerchau

• Start in Ochs on the right side and perform a Zwerchhau to any of the four openings

• Pick another opening and cut to it

• Cut to the third opening

• Cut to the last opening

• Without breaking tempo pick a different opening and do the drill again

• Do this till you run out of room, then direction change and come back on the other side

80 x 120

This is a simple conditioning drill that also doubles as a cutting practice drill

• Except for the static straight cuts perform a planted step with each cut, to protect the knees and condition the legs as well

  • 20 straight cuts with short edge rising cuts

  • 20 Oberhaus then short Unterhau on the left and right

  • 20 Unterhau then short Oberhau on the left and right

  • 20 Zwerchhau left right on the right side then 20 Zwerchhau left right on the left side

  • 20 Thrust from Pflug on the left and right

  • 20 Thrust from ochs on the left and right

AP numbered cuts

These are written for partner drilling but can be adapted for solo drilling as well.

Note: there are 7 cuts we use that number from 1 to 7 to make it easier to use in drills. odd numbers on the right side, even numbers are of the left. This is the same numbering pattern used for saber.

1. Oberhau from right to left

2. Oberhau from left to right

3. Unterhau from right to left

4. Unterhau from left to right

5. Zwerchhau from right to left

6. Zwerchhau from left to right

7. Thrust to the chest or face

Combinations

This drill is a very fast way to drill creative combinations and train to move the sword in new and inventive ways.

• Fencer A and D stand so A can hit D’s sword

• D calls out a combination, and A performs it to D’s outstretched sword

• The goal is not to hit the person but practice the combination against the sword

• Example: 1, 6, 2, 7, defend 1. This translates to an oberhau from right to left, zwerchhau from left to right, oberhau from left to right, thrust to the face, defend an oberhau from right to left

• Additionally, D can make them as complex or simple as they want, detailing when to step or not to step, if the cut uses the long or short edge, or if A has to defend an attack or use a particular cut. Cutting without a step or on the same side as your lead leg is very difficult at first but it’s good for you and D is encouraged to drill these moves

• This drill is so valuable because it allows D to set up situations that A might encounter in sparring then drill them again an again. For example, 1, 2, 5 translates into A throws an oberhau that D strongly parries, A lifts off and attacks the upper right opening. D parries stronger so A performs a right zwerchau to the upper left opening and lands a hit.

Nicholas Allen

VCU HEMA club

This club aims to educate its members in the Historical European Martial Arts. Recreating the weapons and fighting styles of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. We Achieve this with synthetic versions of historical weapons that accurately simulate the characteristics of the weapons they represent. We also study the works of reputable scholars and translators, as well as the original source texts of fencing masters. We specialize in German Longsword, but can also cover polearms, saber, and other weapons and styles

View Group