Guards: vom Tag

Guard #1/4: vom Tag.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• WMA
• German
• longsword
• guards

[MrPotatoesLatkie]

WHat kind of sword are you using? It seems to be a training sword, as opposed to a sharp sword.

Also, couldn't the opponent simply cut at your arms in that position? I guess it might be a case of who had the initiative.

[fortejeff]

Response, Part 1/2 (I hate this 500 char limit thing!)

All the videos on guards feature an aluminum training sword. We use both aluminum and steel training swords in regular weekly sparring. I goes without saying that the theory doesn't change much between my demonstrating with a blunt training sword vs. a "real" sharp sword. :-)

[fortejeff]

Response, Part 2/2

As for cutting at the arms, I'll refer you back to my comment in the video that this guard is better suited for playing distance and timing (vs. blocking). So, against someone cutting at my arms, I should 1) be far enough away so that they need to step and hit me (i.e. "wide" distance), and 2) my arms should be up and back far enough that they are as far away as my head and body are.

[fortejeff]

P.S. Often people don't quite get 2) right, and in that case your instincts are correct -- if they have the initiative on you and your response time is poor, they can tag your arms.

[Nazgrol]

I prefer holding this over my right shoulder slightly raised at 45 degrees, so going into left pflug and left ochs my arm doesn't go in front of my eyes

[GambleD13]

Hey that's a really cool catch, I usualy hold it over my head at 45 degrees, never really realised that by off cetring it I could avoid blocking my veiw. I'll definetly give this way ago. Cheers!

[Elearis]

thanks. this sure clears up the little things that have been bugging me about my basics.

[geniegogo]

This is cool. I'll look at your other videos ... and also pull out my training sword. =)