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Liechtenauer tradition intermediate 18 states

The Scheitelhau: Alber, the Crown and overrunning

The Scheitelhau: Alber, the Crown and overrunning: The fool's guardYou (Vom Tag) on the left, Opponent (Alber) on the right, at zufechten distance. Opponent in Alber; the upper openings look free. Your weight is neutral; the opponent's weight is neutral.ZufechtenYou (Vom Tag)Opponent (Alber)
Opponent in Alber; the upper openings look free.
–
Static position

Seen from behind your right shoulder: left and right, off-line steps and blade lines are visible. Drag the scene to orbit.

  • You
  • Opponent
  • Attack line
  • Exposed opening
  • Blade contact
  • Blow landed
  • Weight: you neutral · opponent neutral

Schematic diagram: it shows position, guard, blade angle, hip and shoulder rotation and the line of attack, not exact body mechanics.

Your path

0 decisions
  1. The fool's guard now
Scenario map 1/18 states explored · 17 transitions · 11 complete paths
  • The fool's guard
  • Overrun from above you're hit
  • The vertical cut
  • They rise from Alber
  • Thrust over the low blade
  • Bound from below
  • Overrunning the Unterhau you hit
  • Parrying low disadvantage
  • The Crown
  • The cut falls short
  • The point from above you hit
  • The Scheitel reaches the crown you hit
  • Back to measure neutral
  • Following into the re-forming guard you hit
  • Into the Crown disadvantage
  • Pushing down on a rising blade disadvantage
  • The Crown broken by the slice you hit
  • Wound in from above you hit
Step 1

The fool's guard

The opponent stands in , point at the ground in front of them, as if there were nothing to fear. Everything above the waist looks open. You are in at the edge of measure.

Opponent's intent: Draw an attack and rise into it.

What do you notice?

0/2 revealed

Look at the diagram first. Decide what you see for each cue, then reveal the note.

  • Which line is longer, the one from your shoulder to their crown or from their low blade to your hands?
  • What is Alber hoping you will do?

What do you do?

Timing chips: , , .

Techniques
ScheitelhauÜberlaufenUnterhau

Your path

0 decisions
  1. The fool's guard now
Scenario map 1/18 states explored · 17 transitions · 11 complete paths
  • The fool's guard
  • Overrun from above you're hit
  • The vertical cut
  • They rise from Alber
  • Thrust over the low blade
  • Bound from below
  • Overrunning the Unterhau you hit
  • Parrying low disadvantage
  • The Crown
  • The cut falls short
  • The point from above you hit
  • The Scheitel reaches the crown you hit
  • Back to measure neutral
  • Following into the re-forming guard you hit
  • Into the Crown disadvantage
  • Pushing down on a rising blade disadvantage
  • The Crown broken by the slice you hit
  • Wound in from above you hit

About this scenario

holds the point at the ground and invites you in. The is the master cut that breaks it: a long vertical cut to the crown of the head, arms extended, that arrives before the low blade can rise. The gloss then follows the exchange one step further, to the parry and the slice that breaks the Crown.

The scenario also shows the other side of the same principle, : whoever attacks low can be reached from above, whichever fencer that happens to be.

Learning goals

  • Cut the Scheitelhau long enough to reach the crown over a low guard.
  • Recognise the Crown parry and break it with the slice rather than pushing into it.
  • Apply overrunning in both directions, and avoid attacking low against a ready high line.
Terms

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Sources and interpretation