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

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-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.

So it goes from both sides.

Application 2: Umbschnappen

In this application the cut is being used in the Krieg. In this case the fencer is acting in the Nach after the opponent attempts to bar them.

Meister	Lehrling
Gerade versetzung, right leg forward	Gerade versetzung, right leg forward in the bind at middle of the blades
Reverse over the blade and attempt to push it down.	Take a Passing Step to the left with the left foot, allow the blade to come around beside the right leg and snap it over to a Glutzhauw type movement on the right.