Anbinden

Binding

When the swords come together and remain static; even if briefly, it is referred to as the “bind”. A typical bind occurs when both fencers strike a zornhau from the right and meet as in the image, however a binding can occur whenever the edges clash (eg. and unterhau against an oberhau can result in a bind).

Related to the bind are the concepts of feeling (Fulen) and remaining (Bleiben).

Feeling

Once the bind is established then we move to fulen - “feeling”. The aim here is to see if the opponent is strong or weak at the blade. If he is strong it means he is pushing harder at your sword or in a position of superior leverage. If weak then he is able to be pushed against and displaced; an opponent who is suddenly soft at the sword, for example, may be taking his blade away to strike around to the other side, while someone strong at the sword may be attempting to displace you.

The choice of what to do in the bind while feeling in this way is one which is take Indes - in the moment. One might choose to remain (Bleiben) or take away and slash around to a different opening (Umbschlagen), or any of the other handworks from the bind.

Remaining

The act of remaining in the bind until there is an opportunity to do something (such as change through, slash around, etc). It can also refer to leaving the bind only to reestablish it immediately.

Applications

The following applications from the bind demonstrate various handworks.

Application 1: Umbschlagen (Slashing Around)

In this application the technique is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes to the offline pressure and NO THREAT of the point.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind at the middle-to-weak of the blades.
	Give a little pressure with your blade, as soon as they push back take away and cut around to the other side over their arms to the head.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

So it goes from both sides.

Application 2: Wechseln (Changing)

In this application the technique is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward
Parry to the left as if to push the Lehrling's blade to the left.	Dip your weak beneath the Meister's blade, and lift it to the other side, turning the long edge against the Teacher's blade.
	Passing Step forward, giving them the point.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Note: if the opponent parries aside your thrust from the change through, simply change through again.

Application 3: Zucken (Pulling) as Verfuhren (Deceiving)

In this application the technique is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind at the middle of the blades.
	Pull away from the bind as if you're going to take away above, sliding the middle of your blade toward their weak.
	Cut back down on the same side of their blade with a schielhauw/glutzhauw/zwerch like motion back to the opening to which you originally struck (ie. their left side) using the false edge, or the point. Simultaneously Gathering Step forward.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Application 4: Schneiden (Slicing)

In this application the technique in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind
Take away the blade to the side to cut around to the other side with high hands	Spring forward with a Gathering Step slice across the arms with the long edge.
	Withdraw with a high cut.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Application 5: Hendtrucken (hand pressing) from Below

In this application the cut is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in a close bind
Take away the blade upward to cut around to the other side.	Spring forward with a Gathering Step. Drive up with the Schilt & Cross beneath the arms (optional pommel strike to face to follow)
	Withdraw with a Kneichelhauw
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Application 6: Verkehren (Reversing) & Sperren (Barring)

In this application the technique is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind at the middle of the blades.
They drop their point slightly down.	Spring forward with a Gathering Step. Reverse over their blade and bar it downward (Sperren)
	Withdraw with a or a false edge slash up and away, or a hand cut.

Application 7: Umbschnappen (Snapping around) from Below

In this application the technique is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind at the middle of the blades.
Reverse over and bar the blade down.	Step out to the left with the left leg and snap over from underneath to cut a false edge strike.
	Withdraw under cover of Langort

Application 8: Außreissen

In this application the technique is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting Indes.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind at middle of the blades
	Gather forward to bring the strong of the blades together, then take a Passing Step forward to the left with the left foot, push the pommel under his arms and wind it over one or both arms.
	Slice with the long edge of the blade to the face as you wrench his arms down to the side.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.