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I.33 Sword and buckler - 101 - Part 12: Second ward vs Hanging-Ward

Updated: Dec 27, 2023

Confession time: this play does not appear in i.33. However, I justify its inclusion based on the fact that i.33 states third ward and second ward 'do not differ much'. Also, in practice, it works nicely; furthermore, right oberhau vs. a hanging guard of some sort is found in other fencing systems.


As usual, we have (up to) six stages.

  1. Before the fight

  2. The coming in

  3. a) I attack, or b) They attack

  4. I defend

  5. a) I control and win, or b) They control and win

  6. We grapple


Stage 1 Before the fight

At some point, I see that my opponent (the defender) is moving into, or is lingering in, Second Ward.


Stage 2 The coming in

Seeing my opportunity, I step by striking into hanging-ward on the left. This variation really is a hanging-ward this time (see the last post), with my buckler facing my opponent, and my sword hanging diagonally down to the left.



Hanging-ward (side)

Hanging-ward (front)

There are a few ways I can get into hanging-ward. I could make an upwards cut from my left (e.g. from third ward). Alternatively, I could 'feint' an attack into half-shield, and then drop the point of my blade over my buckler hand to the left. This might encourage my opponent to make an ineffective attack from the right that is easily parried by my sword (see 3b).


Stage 3a I attack

If my opponent does nothing, I will 'unwind' my sword and make a right oberhau to the head or leg, with a step forward and to my right. This is basically a step through. The unwinding action is not shown in any image, but is clearly seen in the video linked at the bottom of the page.


Alternatively, I could make a left oberhau.


This ends the play.


Stage 3b They attack

The most likely attack will be a right oberhau. I want them to attack above my sword, where I can easily parry the attack. However, if they are smart they will attack at my leg or under my sword to my chest.


Attacking the leg is a risk, but people often do it in the hope they can parry my counter-attack using just their buckler.


Stage 4 I defend

Assuming the attack is an oberahu above, this is easily parried on my hanging-ward. The key is to make sure you are holding it high enough to protect your head.


However, if the attack is made low, I need to bring my counter-ward lower to parry it, or alternatively I need to unwind and strike down with an oberhau to my left to overbind their sword (ideally made with a step to my right).


Stage 5a I control and win

From the parry, I can then do the same things I did in 3a. Alternatively, could bind over their sword to my left and do the usual stuff - a shield knock and Nucken, or a step through.


This ends the play.


Stage 5b They control and win

Assuming their attack in 3b was an ineffectual oberhau from the right, they now need to parry my attack to their left. They can do this in a few ways, including making a bind to their left, or they can make their own hanging-ward. If they manage to parry my attack in hanging-ward then they can now do the same as me in stage 5a. If they manage to make a successful bind down to their right, they can now perform the shield-knock and Nucken as described in stage 5a.


This ends the play.


Stage 6 We grapple

I will omit this section as it is the same as described in earlier posts.


Videos


Third ward: schutzen - Swordschool - This is the play from third ward, but it is largely the same from second ward.


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