Mittelhauw

Middle Strike

The mittelhau is a horizontal stroke which covers a broad arc in front of the fencer.

At a Glance

• Horizontal cut similar to the zornhau, but with a flat trajectory.
• Guard transitions: Mittelhut - Langort – Mittelhut
• Advantages: Covers a broad arc so can be used to create space, useful for taking oberhau cuts offline.
• Disadvantages: Easily suppressed from above with cuts.

Execution

The mittelhut is performed as follows:

• Begin in mittelhut on the right, with the left leg forward.
• Cut horizontally forward with the thumb of lead hand (if you’re right handed) facing upward.
• As the blade begins to pass in front take the passing step forward with your right leg, landing the step in the moment that the cut is at its maximum point of extension in front in langort.
• Let the momentum carry the blade through to your left side. As the blade passes to your left roll the blade over so the thumb is facing downward and the blade ends its movement in the left mittelhut.

Considerations

The mittelhauw, like the zornhau, is quite powerful, but is easily deflected downward or upward owing to its flat trajectory, and has a predictable line.

Care must be taken in the mittelhauw to avoid rolling the blade over too soon. This will compromise the angle of impact of the blade and greatly reduce cutting effectiveness.

The cut can be made to the head or body, or can be used to cut aside the opponent’s strike. It is particularly effective against the oberhauw, though can be used against the zornhauw provided you account for the downward impact on your own blade.