Ringen am Schwert

16th Century

Meyer shows a number of grappling techniques using the sword. It is possible that some of these are intended for use with blunt training blades, however the similarity to earlier sources indicates that this is largely not the case.

Longsword

Applications

Application 1: Crossed Blades

In this application the fencers meet in an Oberhauw/Zornhauw bind, from which the grapple progresses. The technique appears in the fourth play of Langort.

Meister	Lehrling
Tag, left leg forward	Tag, left leg forward
Passing Step with the right foot, cut a Zornhauw to the upper left opening	Passing Step with the right foot, cut a Zornhauw to the upper left opening, resulting in an even mid-blade bind.
Maintain the bind with some pressure.	Grasp the crossing point of the blades with the left hand from your right side of the blades - a small advance with the lead foot may be needed.
	Pass the pommel underneath the opponent's arms and wrench upward*, while simultaneously pushing down with the crossed blades, resulting in a disarm.

• this works well if you use your own forearm underneath their wrist and press upward with it rather than trying to wrench around with the pommel, which can be awkward

Application 2: Sword taking from Hanging

In this application the fencer parries from below with a hanging from below. Fundamentally identical plays appear in earlier sources, including messer.

It is critical in this technique that you be close enough to grasp the opponent's weapon directly from beneath the cover of your own sword - if you have to reach forward with a body movement or step you endanger your hands enormously to a time cut.

Meister	Lehrling
Tag, left leg forward	Alber, left leg forward
Passing Step with the right foot, cut a Zornhauw to the upper left opening	Passing Step out to the right, parry from below with a Hangetort.
Maintain the bind with some pressure.	Release the left hand and reach under, grasping the schilt/cross of the opponent's sword, or better yet, the haft between their hands.
	Wrench the hilt from their hands to your left hip, simultaneously cutting around with a one handed Oberhauw with the right hand. This may be accompanied by a Triangle Step out to your right with your rear (left) leg.