Wechselhauw

Change Strike

Meyer describes this as any strike which changes from above to below, left to right. Mair provides a more specific execution which we will include as it is very useful.

The change strike should not be confused with the handwork known as changing (wechseln), which is a changing through motion.

Longsword

Execution

An example of Meyer's execution of this technique is what he describes in other sections as Driving. For example, from a Wechsel position on the low left, slash up with the false edge diagonally to a Vom tag on the right, with a Gathering Step. Take another such step then cut back down with a Zornhauw back to the Wechsel position we began from. In this way we can clear the opponent's weapon out of the way and cut back in behind it.

Mair, on the other hand, describes a more specific action which covers the centre line with the blade in the follow up cut:

"When you come to the closing with the opponent and strike in the Wechsel (Changer), set your left foot forward and strike from below at his face such that the short edge stands high. Then step outward with your right foot and strike with the long edge to the right side of his head."

Essentially from Wechsel on the right (left foot forward) we slash up with the false edge along the lower-right to upper-left diagonal, then keeping the momentum of the sword going, and with a passing step forward and to the right, we cut back down along the upper-right to lower-left diagonal, which would end in wechsel on the left if we continued the cut through.

The pattern of the sword tip’s motion is show in the image.

Note that the slash can go all the way up to vom tag (creating a larger movement), or simply up to eisenport (a tighter, but less powerful movement).

Notes

In keeping in line with Meyer's description of the strike (rather than Mair's used here) we could also use the strike with a slash up and slash down on the same line so that we slash up to the high right, then down from the high right back to the wechsel in which we started.

Applications

In this application the cut is being used as a Taker with the up-strike in the Onset, followed by a Hitter in the Withdrawal. In this case the fencer is acting in the Nach at the beginning of the technique.

In which the 'student' demonstrates their knowledge to the 'teacher'.

Application 1: Wechselhauw Parry to Alternating Sides

In this application the cut is being used as a Taker with the up-strike in the Onset, followed by a Hitter in the Withdrawal.

Meister	Lehrling
Zornhut, left leg forward	Wechsel, right leg forward
Passing Step zornhauw	False edge slash up along the left to right diagonal displacing their sword, ending in Vom tag
	Passing Step forward with the left foot, zornhauw to opponent's right upper opening.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Perform this on both sides.

Application 2: Wechselhauw Driving

The application can also be demonstrated by driving forward and cutting along the same axis as follows:

In this application the cut is being used as a Taker with the up-strike in the Onset, followed by a Hitter in the Withdrawal. In this case the fencer is acting in the Nach at the beginning of the technique.

Meister	Lehrling
Zornhut, left leg forward	Wechsel, right leg forward
Passing Step forward with the right foot, Zornhauw to the upper left opening	False edge slash up through the lower right opening along the left to right diagonal, ending in Vom tag, displacing their sword.
	Gathering Step forward with the lead (right) foot, Zornhauw to opponent's left upper opening.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Perform this on both sides.

Dussack

All cuts which go from one opening to another with the dussack are considered to be change cuts. For example an unterhauw followed by a zornhauw is a change strike.