A few guards (stances) in historical European swordsmanship without shield

This is a brief introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of several guards in HEMA (historical European martial arts), with one-handed sword and longsword / kriegsmesser.
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[@onlyicedgarrett7791]

There is high guard Ceiling: No, there is not

[@spazkitty100]

Your comment deserves a lot more likes.

[@sasha.t3737]

Ha. Says my kitchen chandelier😊

[@BeetleBuns]

ceiling gang has been ruining things for many years I see

[@shintarolin1933]

Good one 😂

[@samruscillo1808]

Obi wan: no but there is the high GROUND

[@willemverheij3412]

I wish they'd hire you as an advisor for videogame swordfighting mechanics or movie sword fights.

[@awl649]

or Lindybeige

[@eucherenkov]

Of the three, I'd choose scholagladiatoria.

[@Ninjamanhammer]

Scholagladiatoria for fighting and Metatron for everything else.

[@CFilmer]

You have to concider much more then just beeing realistic in a movie swordfight ^^ The fighting style has to fit the character, the fighters should have a good looking silhouette and the fight can't allways be over in just a few seconds because that wouldn't build as much anticipation. So... yeah :D There is much more to it.

[@CFilmer]

***** Oh, okey :D This could be cool depending on the situation. Imagine a scene in which the hero fight against his worst enemy who murdered his family. Just "poking at each other" would be realistic, yes. But it would not fit the tone of the scene or the feelings of the character :)

[@Howjadoo22]

"But if you only have a one-handed sword, or a two-handed sword..." Ok, but what if you have a THREE-handed sword?

[@gralha_]

Then you're not the right kind of species to be handling it

[@Slender_Man_186]

At that point I'd just say fuck it and tri-wield 3 swords.

[@highlandrab19]

then you kick them with your third leg

[@theblueghoul3067]

i laughed so much whit all this comments lol

[@ari_james_dio9090]

and throw your three pomel... okno

[@1RoundInTheChamber]

I think the confusion over different guards being more or less "useful" is that maybe people think that you just pick a stance and stay in it for the duration of a fight.

[@mrobligatory.5234]

Well...I mean depending on how long the fight is you may only need one stance.

[@stephenramkhelawon2143]

3:05, when you keep on mashing the parry button.

[@appleyanimator6541]

stephen ramkhelawon Skallagrim is the true Parry King

[@darealdovahkiin3652]

😂

[@StormSage13]

I hate to be that guy, but I think we all know no guard can defend against a challenger throwing their pommel.

[@austindude1333]

Hiroshima explodes

[@arthurdent6256]

+austindude1333 That's the compromise between the great forces.

[@IamMortui]

+austindude1333 Then Godzilla awakens.

[@Mult1Core]

Tbh. that rage(thing) guard looks pretty close to a batter/hitter in baseball.

[@yoya.]

It's called the "Batter's Guard"

[@BigDunum12]

Maybe it's called the Fools Guard because to an inexperienced person it looks as if you are not ready to fight and can trick them into attempting to strike you

[@Parbruek]

When I play white in chess, I often start with Bird's Opening, and go f4, e5. In both this and fencing, I think the point is to provoke.

[@Kanner111]

Maybe it's called fools guard because you try that and get completely clobbered and look like a fool?

[@MrSottho]

Bamboozle guard

[@PaulusMair]

@@Kanner111 I don't think so

[@Spiceodog]

@@Parbruek the same way that when I play chess against someone who’s never played me, I deliberately put the king and the queen in the wrong place, hoping that they’ll get over confident and then lose

[@blaziiclan8846]

As an outsider who has no real swords and only pipes/plastic swords to work with, and no one to train with, I find this channel fascinating , would love to get more professional. I have ordered two unsharpened retractable steel swords, they should be here in two weeks. Wish me luck!

[@baddgerpaw]

Dude I was just like that my self, but funny enough my friend moved back with the same interest, plus smoke up ;D and I use wooden swords I made.

[@caracaes]

As someone who also trained with makeshift swords, an advice: Make sure your "swords" are weighed and balanced as a real swords would be. When you make plastic swords, the balance is usually too close to the hilt. When you make wooden swords, the balance will usually be at the middle of it, and that can also happen with plastic swords if your hilt is just the same material of the blade. Wooden swords tend to be heavier than metal, because you need a hardwood to sustain the impacts. Plastic swords tend to be lighter than metal. It's ok to train with a sword heavier than usual (although you'll get tired faster), but training with a light sword is deceptive.

[@blaziiclan8846]

OK, so thanks everyone for the feedback, appreciate it. That sword Don recommend is a bit pricy for now, but I'll look into it a bit later, and as for the weight, the 1 ish meter pipe should be ok as a two handed for now (the plastic rapier broke). I've ordered two of these: www.dx.com/p/unsharpened-trainer-4-section-retractable-steel-sword-72cm-extended-17937#.V3Q_y5B4WrU , would they be OK? I'm also working on building a wooden shield. Again, appreciate the help greatly.

[@donmadlung3642]

If you just want to do flow drills or something get a broom handle, cut it to length, put a crossguard on it and shape the handle a bit so it's squarish.. edge alignment is important. Wont be the right weight but it's SOMETHING the purpleheart synthetic will last essentially forever. I've seen one break but it was flawed, it broke within hours of initial use.

[@blaziiclan8846]

+Don Madlung ok, thanks, what's a flow drill? Also, I've spied a company called Black Fencer that seem to do well made steel "synthetic"...whatever that is, at a reasonable price, e.g an arming sword is €58.99. Cheers Don in advance

[@nicolasv6031]

the "Fool's Guard" reminds me of some of the things you can do in fencing, where you leave a part of your body open for attack, and when your opponent takes the bait, you parry and riposte (riposte is just striking back)

[@timothymclean]

It seems like realistic sword guards could make for a really cool video game. Could we see more videos on other guards? I, for one, found this kind of deep analysis fascinating.

[@fisadev]

Kingdom Come: Deliverance tries to do exactly that :)

[@YannKastell]

You might wanna check Mount & Blade: Bannerlord (or the previous title M&B: Warband) even if it's not released yet. This game has a very realistic combat system and is, in my humble opinion, the best medieval fighting game existing thus far. and as Fisanotti said, Kingdom come: deliverance may also interest you, but this game won't be online, unlike M&B.

[@LionofCaliban]

Honestly, just do a search on some of the manuals themselves. They can show a lot.

[@arcaneursa9022]

There is a new game coming out utilizing stances "For Honor" check it out

[@LionofCaliban]

Arcane Ursa Already done my friend. I believe if you look through the vid history, you should find it.

[@Lavourrin]

Ok, so we have already established that having one sword doesn't give you enough protection and that dual wieldieng is not all that great... So we should try... DUAL SHIELDING! No one would find a weak spot in your guard! :D

[@gralha_]

You could have a big shield that protects you more and a buckler to strike

[@baddgerpaw]

With a narrow spike

[@theaussiebogan9680]

2 black iron great shields!

[@theaussiebogan9680]

I remember 1 time I was fuckin around in dark souls and used 2 great Shields for the lols

[@thecreator625]

I remember when dual greatshields actually became a feasible build in Dark Souls 2.

[@johngun7418]

no no no man you have to twirl the sword to impress all the babes, everything else is secondary

[@redgokudera]

Game of Thrones Tower of Joy in a nutshell

[@micohazakin8576]

Don’t forget to use katanas because they are the best swords 😂😅

[@javanbybee4822]

Mico Hazakin85 and can cut steel

[@pops1878]

CloroxBleach And absorb the souls of demons

[@javanbybee4822]

Pops yes

[@Antiath]

Haha. With the kriegsmesser in wrath guard , I'm like "Fuck, don't cut your own ear with this beast"

[@pettergustafsson8879]

The wrath-guard is the one used by security and police when using batons.

[@fabiocarraro6203]

"It's over, Skallagrim, I have the high guard..."

[@isaweesaw]

"You underestimate my pommel"

[@jasonsomers8224]

I literally thought of that half a second before reading this

[@jasonsomers8224]

@@isaweesaw nice

[@Shindai]

Sword fighting is just a badass game of rock paper scissors. edit: ten seconds later you said rock paper scissors mechanic. Now I feel smart, and stupid for commenting before the video finished xD

[@Dinoenthusiastguy]

Sword beats shield Shield beats pommel Pommel beats sword

[@Yayaytree]

@@Dinoenthusiastguy Pommel beats everything.

[@raptorrogue4227]

The dilemma 😂😂😂

[@lokuzt]

I see the same misinterpretation is common when trying to learn really old, unarmed martial arts, as most guards are shown as static positions, so some students interpreted that they need to hold them and remain "stiff". It's easy to make this mistake, and we can tell it keeps happening: look at pictures of old-timey boxers, where their arms are raised similar to a karate *kamae*... it's wrong to think they actually boxed with their arms still, in a stiff guard. Rather, they would continually move their arms through the guard posture - perhaps in a circular fashion, following naturally in the context of the dynamic melee range environment in which one is punching, deflecting, trapping, grappling etc. I have no actual evidence, but I imagine that this misinterpretation also takes place in traditional Chinese martial arts, and what we see as strange, out of balance and flank compromising postures are really meant to show a transitive step, not the end goal of a guard technique.

[@LionofCaliban]

Issue is that we don't have any living traditions of, it's hard to know what's what without that. Even then, traditions change and can be very different to what they were even a hundred years ago. Now translating from a plate a position, where it's said this is X guard and from X guard you may do these things, it's even harder. The basic would apply, that any attack is a good attack when it starts and ends in a guard position. It's not so simple as just being misinterpreted.

[@RzorGELL]

Generally speaking the more practical and effective attacks don't just start and end in a guard, they need to deliver quite a lot of power and need to be fast enough that they cannot be parried or reacted to. More or less an offensive attack that forces your opponent to either hit you before you hit them or simply get out of the way of your attack. Also in Chinese Martial Arts, at least for the one I studied - the guard is not static and is simply just a resting position. I'd say it serves more as memory to keep your hands in front of you and to allow you to quickly attack from that position and keep your hands outright. But than again, the guard tells your opponent what you are doing and sometimes you don't want to do that, it may be better to be relaxed and simply go into the guard as you are about to attack to allow surprise. Ideally you should never be defending but only attacking, your defense relies on your opponent being incompetent, because if they are competent and know how to swing, than they'll break through your defense most likely. They don't even have to be better than you at fighting to break through your defense, as defending is much harder than attacking. It also presses on the point of psychological warfare a tiny bit, that if you are constantly attacking your opponent they start to get it into their head that they are going to die. Panic is quite an effective tool that you can use.

[@LionofCaliban]

Wolfgang I would argue the part about not being able to be parried, some of the plates in the manuals specifically show that they require a person to parry, so you can finish the attack. Different forms teach different lessons, some of them translate well into other arts, others do not. The idea of keeping something moving, seems to have logic, but I would argue it doesn't in the scope of western medieval forms. It's effort you expend, for no real effort. Do it from the bind, this is shown in the scope of buckler and sword work of keeping things moving to find and exploit an opening. But constantly changing positions to me is the sign of a bad, that's not fair, inexperienced swordsman. HEMA guards are not particularly static, when you realise you can strike just as easily with the false edge as the true edge.

[@RzorGELL]

This is assuming you are using a sword though and constant movement is not a downside when you are using the correct weapon, if you are arguing about endurance than I'd argue that the limitation would not be in the style but yourself - a great warrior has an almost unbreakable endurance and does not get tired easily or even at all if they train for it. Being able to constantly barrage your opponent with unstoppable attacks is something that I would argue as the most effective way of winning your fights, but even than - a broad axe for example is a weapon that just has to be kept in motion and only works offensively. If used properly it cannot be stopped or blocked effectively or even at all, you sacrifice your defense for the ability to kill people with your first swing. Now a parry will just not occur with the broad axe, but a counter attack might - but with the axe in motion and with the assumption that you are an extremely fast/strong person, that isn't going to be a problem as you might end up killing them with the second blow before they can even get a counter in. Ideally when you are playing on the offense you want people to try and parry, to dodge and counter - because the offense warrior is bested by offense almost always and not defense. You can be killed when using something like an axe or just any large weapon(But this tends to only happen when they react to your ferocity with offense), striking down your opponents with only regard to their death and not your own protection, which almost always forces them into the defense. It's in that state that they start to feel fear as you shatter their shield, breaking their arm and than swing your axe over for the second strike to crush their skull. It relies a bit on the psychological aspect of fighting, it's about the man with the shield and the sword staring down at this wall of death in front of them, who knows that if he swings out his weapon to hit him - he will have to kill him in that one swing, because if he does not - the warrior will certainly kill him with his. So, the man with the shield raises his shield, he pulls back - his arm breaks and than the warrior kills him because he defended instead of attacking. It is easy to assume that in a fight you can calculate, parry and counter - but the reality is when fighting for your life it is not like that at all. Adrenaline overtakes you and any hope you had of actually thinking and being effective at the same time vanishes, you act almost entirely on instinct and muscle memory, which is why the offensive tactic works. It's very simple, swing - kill, kill and kill even more. It's fast, effective and the tactic of pure offensive slaughter becomes more effective as you become stronger, as you get use to maneuvering/dodging and learn more effective ways to swing your weapon or deal with an opponents defense. Killing is a simple thing and many humans in some way understand how to do it, it's been done for a millennia and to understand offense is to understand the concept of winning. Being offensive means you hold no fear to the person you are fighting, you intend to kill them quickly and to get them out of your way so you can kill the next thing in front of you. It's simple, it's real and it sends this invisible message to all who face you that they're going to die. Because you are better than them. Look at videos of real fights, where people are actually trying to kill each other - at MMA fights when the opponents are filled with rage and hate each other, not at your own sparring lessons or videos of two friends in a Dojo fighting each other. But of actual people, doing everything they can to kill, to destroy. It's like two different worlds. Which is why I never condone sparring or practicing with a friend, because they are different worlds - you aren't trying to kill your friend. When you use the practice sword/staff you aren't trying to slam it into their head as hard as you can and kill them, you are trying to hit them instead and you start to learn how to win at a game of sorts - and not in an actual fight. There is a world of difference between dueling and a fight to the death.

[@LionofCaliban]

Wolfgang I have to say I think your bias towards the forms you've learned have given you lessons that do not work well for what I've learned with the HEMA lessons I've had. I can honestly say I'm working on breaking my bias, expanding into other weapons, other forms. Learning more than what I did the day before. That being said, from what I have, there's plenty I still feel I can say. I was not talking about endurance, rather I was more trying to reach towards a point where you are expending effort for no real result, effect. If you change between two guards and then strike from the second, the person has enough time to react to the second and counter, if not attack during the change over. It's the reason spinning and offering your back in combat is just not done. To my knowledge, not even seen in any of the manuals I'm familiar with. I'd also say, if someone is doing something crazy, step back, let them do it, when they've stopped or there is an opening, attack. Combat is not just on you, it's on what your opponent is doing as well. If you can exploit that for your own benefit, awesome. At least without quoting things like Chipping Away at the Edges and some of the more obvious lessons of Musashi and what I have to argue, Talhoffer as well. If there's something I've learned in doing this stuff and bluntly speaking on the matter, context is the key. I would like to note, I did specifically refer to the swords. A Dane axe, flail, those weapons require constant movement. A horseman's hammer requires a very close distance to your target. All of those do not change that I was talking about swords. Speed, flexibility, adaptability, those features of swordsmanship can turn what is seemingly a static block into an attack, once you experiment, try things out and learn the nature of the weapon you are using. Before someone comes in and says Renaissance greatsword, yes, it's a sword. Yes, some of the techniques show it in constant motion, likely those against a pike block and those to deny an area to multiple attackers. I would like to point out that even here, the weapon is far more akin to a pole arm, and so while not entirely a good counter point, it's one you do have as long as you admit certain provisos with. Namely the context of why you would do such a thing. I should have been clearer on my end, but the fact is if you're working on just moving your sword, you keep closing and opening avenues of attack. It shows less understanding of the weapon and more reliance on being able to confuse your opponent. Is it a bad strategy? Not entirely. It's a particularly good one, not really. There will be people it works against and there will be people it does not work against. There will be people who will just see the openings and take them. A person who sees an angle of attack and can take it, without thought, they will not be so easily impressed with simple trickery. As for the real versus dueling scenario, I think I'm more educated than most on the matter. I've had some lessons in group tactics and training for. I've been attacked by three on occasions, seven another. The psychology of combat is a valid tool, but to then try and generalise that X lesson worked in Y culture, therefore X lesson is valid, is not true or fair. Context defines this more so than anything else. What you see as a static guard, to someone else is not static, it's only a starting point for techniques designed to disable and end your opponent. I would point to Posta di Donna here. Works well with a long sword, poll hammer, poll axe. In fact works great with it. It seems to be static, holding the weapon over the shoulder, yet you can easily turn into a strike, depending on your weapon, that is a cut, or is there to send your opponent to floor. Specifically, hook them around the back on the neck, the knees. This can be done while holding the long sword as you would for the Murderstroke, Mordhau. Your example with the shield as well I have to say I find flawed. To consider the shield just for defence is not anywhere near the truth of the matter. The last time I did any shield work, I was more aggressive as I knew I could cut down the avenues of attack and I was able to use it offend more so than I could with the shield. This is true if it's a heater, kite, pavise or buckler. Yes, it was more European than anything else, but it would seem to be just as much a weapon as anything else. Specifically I would also try to use my shield to force their weapon into places from which they can not attack. Not only can they not attack, but have to disengage before they do, meaning I have more time to strike. Shield goes high and attack low. This might even mean multiple strikes as they move to clear their weapon. I would also say that the idea of strength as being core, important to swordsmanship is also something that is showing your preconceptions here. Intelligence and endurance rate far above it, I've found. It's not how hard you hit, but when you hit and where you hit. You may break an arm holding a shield, but if you're entirely open to the counter, then it doesn't matter how smart, fast or strong you are, you're still dead. At least in terms of a pure battlefield scenario. Same is relatively true for a duel. You might get their hand, they might get your head or your heart. The context of this discussion is that we are seemingly coming from two very different schools of thought and training. I would say that with everything I've read and seen, both Eastern and Western, I have a very different perspective of combat. Not just staged combat, choreography, but in more medieval fighting, in scope of Europe. Though it seems static next to the more seemingly vibrant, active arts of the East, they too have their flaws. Certainly a realistic sword fight is something that can be beautiful and terrifying in equal measure. It's still, by no means, no less active in its stances or speaking unkindly of, static in its stances.

[@NUSensei]

This is a great video. I feel like, as a HEMA layman, I know a lot more about what people are doing with these weapons and appreciate the tactics behind it.

[@thearcanehunter2736]

What's layman mean? im dum

[@thearcanehunter2736]

@@botheric4006 Ah, thank you.

[@weirdvibes1729]

Hi NUsensei I like your archery videos it helped me a lot on improving my technique

[@xiii0722]

The moment when you feel pretty safe in your guard and the enemy uses this and throws his pommel into your face at a suprise :)

[@seraphblackshield2059]

End him rightly!

[@xiii0722]

David Sterling yeah xD

[@redeye4516]

If anyone deflects the thrown pommel back at the guy who threw it, and the pommel hits him square in the face, the fight should be declared over, and the guy who deflected the pommel should be declared both the winner and a Jedi.

[@xiii0722]

Redeye :O

[@jontrollsten674]

Karl Maier end him rightly.

[@ravenzeal4848]

I'm glad you made this video. I'm the guy in my LARP sparring group who uses "weird guards" and it's good to see people who know the value different guards. I see far to much long guard. I have a lot of fun with rapier guards and high guard, with contact safe weapons of coarse.

[@Colgruv]

It's wild that in all my years of playing roleplaying games in a medieval setting I have never heard the term "guard" applied to sword stances, let alone learned any actual examples. Definitely drawing on this as I design my own games!

[@frugalpiglet8506]

You didnt show the Isengard!

[@freezie411]

+DinoStalker pc Not very effective against Ents from what I hear.

[@hatboxful]

+Bigfoot lol

[@JustGrowingUp84]

They're taking the hobbits to Isengard, To Isengard! Sorry, it's a reflex now...

[@-Honeybee]

+Joe Toner THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD

[@rubengroet2999]

that guard is not recommended. it is very easy to ent him rightly in that stance

[@emerytharp6858]

As an aspiring writer I just want to say thank you for these instructional videos that prove to be excellent research material. I want to find a good balance of realism, historical accuracy, and showmanship in my books and your videos have allowed me to make leaps instead of steps towards my goal; thank you.

[@MUJUNKY]

Seven years later and here I am doing the exact same thing.

[@skreelthebarbarian]

What's the best stance to assume so you can avoid attacks while still unscrewing your pommel?

[@sancheenull420]

One handed point guard

[@Qutut]

*Skall uses High Guard against Ceiling* *It's not very Effective*

[@DonGuzmann]

I only ever praticed Japanese sword fighting. I watched the video of Skallagrimm because I thought that HEMA would be completely different, boy was I wrong, there are so many similarities. Sadly it is easier to train Japanese fighting in Europe than HEMA... Thanks for the introduction.

[@Thornton733]

Glad to see you looking well healed! Thank you for the awesome uploads.

[@jobusmobus4370]

Skall, I just wanted to drop a comment letting you know how much I appreciate the work and dedication you put into making these videos and delivering swift and concise information regarding Historical European Martial Arts, its art form and tools of the trade. The time you spend preparing your content is impressive and without it, I would have never heard of this amazing sport or know half of what I know about the history surrounding it. You clear misconceptions, give new information and give an overall enjoyable experience. From your editing, your lectures and even your tone of voice, it is all wonderful. On behalf of myself and those who wish to say the same, I thank you. Cheers.

[@alexpoirier6447]

Very interesting video ^-^ I'm developing a combat system involving stances for a game and this made me rethink the design of how blocking and parrying relates to each stances. Your videos and Lindybeige's are great references and inspiration. Thank you :)

[@chrisj1982]

the kriegsmesser is just such a satisfying sword. looks beautiful, balanced, but still that curve to it gives it a slightly menacing look.

[@thearcanehunter2736]

I think it's my favorite.

[@vazzaroth]

Awesome video, on of my favorites so far. I love the focus on the psychology of sword fighting and reading your opponent and making sure you're behaving appropriately to respond.

[@JhonFrancioli]

Find out your channel yesterday, can't stop watching, awesome content!

[@HarbingerOfTruth1]

How are guards affected when it comes to people the are for example left handed? If you fight someone that are right handed while you're left handed will it be easier or more difficult choosing a good guard?

[@baddgerpaw]

I'd like to see this topic covered.

[@matteopeluso7320]

I'd like to see this covers too

[@rejest05]

It's easier. A lot easier. You, as a left-hander, are pretty used to fighting enemies that are right-handed. They, however, are not used to fighting left-handers. Most of your enemies would get distracted by the very fact that your sword is "on the wrong side".

[@baddgerpaw]

Rothank "On the wrong side XD"

[@rejest05]

Master Keif That's exactly what i thought when facing a left-handed opponent for the first time! (Arming sword + shield fight)

[@Tom-re6zo]

A good guard goads the enemy into attacking a certain way, and allows you to counter or go on the offensive without being predictable (as in it appears to be something obvious, but is intended to allow something unforeseeable).

[@PadraicSmith]

I'm quite glad you made this video, I didn't realise how, in most of the sparring videos, the positions people were assuming were guards, and gaining the understanding of certain postures is always helpful. Thanks Skall :)

[@derekkrumwiede6037]

This was really informative and now I know where I can start for practice. Thanks for the video Skall!

[@PsixosTisKolasis]

That camera you use is has such a good definition it is disturbing.

[@Skallagrim]

Well, that's what you get for $1800. :)

[@CZProtton]

I think you missed the point with langort (huehue, a pun!). It is also called a neutral stance, because it is not there to do nothing... but to do anything! You can throw any cut from that really fast, you just change the guard and cut, which is fast, you can also thrust at any time, it is a good position to be in when attacked as blocks are really fast from that stance. It is also really usefull for distance play, you know how long your sword is, so you know the distance perfectly in that stance. You can also move the sword forwards and backwards slowly, fucking with your oponent so they come into cutting distance. So in conclusion, the guard is really good! You can throw any cut from it really fast, which is the main reason it is so good. You can do almost anything from it. If you have the wrath guard, you will cut from the top. There is nothing more to do from that. If you are in the langort, you can cut from any direction with ease. I know, cause langort is the neutral position and main stance in Lichtenauers kunst. Any technique we do starts from that stance.

[@Skallagrim]

How can you throw cuts from langort? You really can't, you have to transition through a different guard first. Langort is the halfway point that the swords travels through in a proper cut.

[@CZProtton]

***** But going to another guard from the langort is incredibly fast. And you can easily go to any guard all around your body, meaning you can cut from any angle and is hard to predict. What you save in time by being in another guard and just cutting is overweighed by showing your intentions, cause every other guard but the langort has limited number of other guards that you can transition to, therefore is predictable. I am not saying the langort is the best guard in the world, every cut from it WILL be slower than cuts from other guards, cause you have to transition and cut (which can be done in the same motion, making it also very fast, be it slower than just the cut) but it is unpredictable, making it a great guard against better oponents. You can catch them off guard by cutting something really wierd that they did not expect. I did beat many of my superiors in our sparring just by going for an unexpected cut from a wierd angle. Which the langort lets me do. Just look at what you said, it is the half point to cuts. To ANY cuts. And that is true, if I look just at the simple cuts and their false edge brethren, I can throw any of them relatively fast when starting in the longort.

[@Skallagrim]

Well, even from Alber you can quickly go to another guard.

[@CZProtton]

***** But can you go to any other guard. Or are you really just fixed to a few untill you switch the whole way.

[@viktorkachovski5252]

Langort is really tiring on the hand, especially if you do it with one handed sword. You can't hold it forever. Also the Zettel advises us not to stand in a guard statically, one should always be in motion, because motus is the heart and the crown of fencing, a person not in motion is a dead one, so guards a merely points in time where your sword stands, they are the beginning, the middle and the end. Langort is usually the transitional guard of every cut, strike and thrust before moving to another guard. It's not better or worse than any other guard.

[@arbhall7572]

Very cool video man. Thank you for baking under the lights for us, I appreciate it.

[@Rafael57YT]

Thank you Skall for all your amazing videos

[@ruyman90]

I was discussing with a friend about an issue. Does being left handed actually gives you an advantage? For example if you use a wrath guard against another they will pretty much mirror their movements. So wouldn't the left handed warrior who has trained to defeat right handed warriors have advantage over the right handed warrior who has trained to defeat right handed warriors? While facing a left handed your muscle memory would be confused and his not.

[@Skallagrim]

A left-handed fighter who has been practicing against right-handed opponents can be really confusing to deal with, so it can indeed be a bit of an advantage.

[@SkyrimHod]

Plus if you start losing, you can suddenly announce, "I have something I should tell you...I am not left-handed," switch the sword to your other hand, and end them rightly.

[@user-nv3ce6tk4m]

Wait, are you in a “Blood and Iron” T-shirt?

[@porter-2034]

Im happy that I recognized most of these guards Keep up the good work man!

[@saturos1158]

I've only recently started watching your videos, but you have really peaked my interest in swords!

[@OutlawMaxV]

Maybe you could get a wider lens for these types of videos?

[@Skallagrim]

Yeah, I've been putting off the purchase of another lens, since they cost $500 and more.

[@MrTomte09]

Skall, do a vid on the Swedish "Landskaps värjan" or "Wira värjan" used by the Caroleans of Karl XI & XII. But maybe you need to own one.

[@baddgerpaw]

First one came up as a boat

[@MrTomte09]

What?

[@baddgerpaw]

Yeah, some crew ship, The Landskapsvärja.

[@baddgerpaw]

Could you link it? Like a page about the sword.

[@MrTomte09]

Aaah, I'm sorry didnt get it :) I tried looking but there's little out there, no wikipedia I mean. Here's googlewww.google.se/search?q=Wira+v%C3%A4rja&newwindow=1&biw=1366&bih=597&site=webhp&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiR75fWg77NAhVBOJoKHe77ApwQ_AUIBygA&dpr=1here's google imageswww.google.se/search?q=Wira+v%C3%A4rja&newwindow=1&biw=1366&bih=597&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqhZrRg77NAhXIAJoKHawoCe4Q_AUICCgBIt might not be as commonly known as the Polish sabre but its worth looking it up

[@jacksonpiechowski6983]

Damn Skall, I love your videos, but for the first time I felt a need to take notes so I can integrate real historical martial arts into my Dungeons & Dragons fight descriptions. This is taking the reason I subscribed to your channel to a whole new level, and I love it. Keep up the good work.

[@keyne444]

Just wanted to say that the Albion Kriegsmesser and you match so greatly. It's like you were made for each other. I love your videos, and admire you for the amount of work you do to keep this channel in good quality. Also, I'm proud to know that you find Polish sabre fencing interesting.

[@PhongNguyen-wx9ym]

What stance should I use if I want to end him "rightly" :D ???

[@Deris76]

can you make one for the "with shield" if it exists?

[@somerandomguy199]

Sadly we don't have anything on the shield. We've got manuals on the sword and buckler. A buckler is essentially a very tiny shield, but it's very different from the big ones you may be thinking about. And to the best of my knowledge they don't teach it at blood and iron anyway. You could probably find some modern manuals on the use of the shield if you want, but they're always purely speculation. There's some good speculation out there though.

[@redeye4516]

I want to know about shields such as the Roman Scutum, the medieval crossbowman's shield, called a Pavise, and the scotish highlander shield, the targe.

[@isaweesaw]

Metatron has loads about Roman equipment. Maybe it'd be worthwhile for you to check him out.

[@petten007]

I love watching your videos! I love learning about swords and other melee weapons with older origins. Keep up your good work! Big fan :3

[@SandmansHate]

Great channel! You are very informative, and I love your videos!

[@Spankeefication]

hey, could you make a video about swords and armors in the witcher 3? it would be awesome! thumbs up so he can see it, thx

[@ukaszRosik]

That would be great!

[@alexandrosgrivas4406]

All the swords in the witcher expect the silver ones because of the crazy hand guards where historically accurate all the armors would be useful expect the manticore and the Wolven

[@ravbright]

There's a HEMA instructor who deals with the Witcher game and contrasts it to actual techniques. His name on YT is Swords Path.

[@ravbright]

I believe everyone here realizes this but there's nothing wrong with entertaining fiction for fun.

[@MB-bg1ek]

I like it if english speakers try to pronounce german words. That sounds kind of really funny :-D. You made that good ;-)

[@CaptainHook-uy9vg]

I appreciate the work that goes into these videos. I'm fifteen and in highschool. And to be honest this has been the best part of my day. Keep producing good content. 👍

[@Lixvach]

Awesome showcase of Stances, they weaknesses and strengths, very informational :)

[@vincentdolente7053]

What if they throw the pomel at you?

[@Khrene]

Thats easy! Prayer position! =)

[@nathanbrown8680]

The key to defending against thrown pommels is to prevent the unscrewing. Or bluff them into using a katana by bringing a main battle tank to the duel.

[@Nikolapoleon]

There's no defense against the pommel toss. Expect to be ended rightly.

[@zDerpster]

First Person to throw the Pomel wins the duel.

[@Calimbandil87]

The long lost art of ducking would probably be good. That is, the ultimate defence is to throw a live duck at them. Ducks are angry little sods.

[@kleinerhardi]

Haha .. called "absetzen" ? German word :P

[@Skallagrim]

Obviously... it's based on a manual by Joachim Meyer, a German sword master from the 16th century. :)

[@kleinerhardi]

Didn't know that, sorry :) I am a clueless newling :p

[@kerrynewbill8086]

I really liked this! Your visual examples and thorough explanations of real techniques help entertain and simultaneously inform my lazy ass about this whole area of combat, which has always interested me more than those that involve guns. Thanks for this video!

[@wanaga1371]

I'm really impressed you never cut off your ear m8 keep up the good vids

[@DarkMasterM19]

3:18 Rapier? Hm... rapier...whait a second... rapier?... rape?...rape??...RAPE?! AHHHHHH "blows rape whistle"

[@seraphimdunn]

DarkMasterM19 lol that's the first time I've seen someone get triggered by a sword

[@AeronHale]

I love these informational videos! While I know at least a little bit of what is talked about I still always learn something. For instance I did not know the names of a few of the guards.

[@thebenforever]

New subscriber here, so I haven't seen every video you've made, but I'm definitely gonna need an entire video dedicated to that kriegsmesser. Albion, right? Beautiful.

[@kitsunehanyou09]

Thanks a lot for this video, Skall :D I learned a lot AND got to stare at those two wonderful swords.

[@smash_that_like]

You make good stuff mate. 1080p60, good light, good focus, good sharpness, only slight echo and you seem to know what you are talking about.

[@Luablood]

I really liked that video I mean for someone like me who is really interested in historical swordsmanship but neither the time or money to pursue the interest, videos like this is amazing

[@DinoTrnkaMusic]

What a great video. Thanks Skall :)

[@SuperSpartan013]

I have to thank you for your videos. I do LARP and a lot of your videos have greatly helped my fighting techniques.

[@JainZar1]

Skall, the sound your wrist was making... I shuddered every time you flicked the sword for the parry of the thrust.

[@sweetcostarica]

Off Topic: I saw your earlier 2008 videos Skallagrim and today *you look great!* Good effort trimming down/taking off the weight around the sides. You even look healthier. Stay frosty.

[@samMIM104]

Nice informative video ~You should make more of these videos !! It's hard to find good HEMA contend videos on KZbin.👍

[@Arrowdodger]

Very enlightening and interesting, thank you!

[@keatonward6403]

You should do another video on more kinds of guards. This is very educational

[@ericpeterson535]

Skall you should do more of these videos explaining guards, I really enjoyed the various explanations on the pesudo-rock-paper-scisors effect of the whole thing

[@adnaanpeshimam5866]

Very informative, thanks a lot Skall :)

[@TheToxicGunn3r]

this is so interesting, never really thought about sword fighting in a practical sense, only as presented in shows and movies

[@thefrub]

Great demonstration of the legwork there

[@wattlebough]

Skallagrim's no scallywag. Nice work mate. Love your videos.

[@magonus195]

That was very informative, thank you.

[@Th3R00k131]

Awesome video! Very informative :)

[@TorchwoodPandP]

Fantastic video!

[@BlazinBlades]

love that wesome lbion you're holding! Cheers BB

[@theoldkobold]

i love watching figthing stances is like watching an abstract painting there some great ways to interpret it and shows you a small window into the personality of the artist

[@ThiagoKlockplus]

Great Video!!! Hope you can do in future with some assistant so we could se both parts on Guard!!!

[@victormartin6608]

That was good. Well done Sir.

[@nathanielmaxner8884]

Love your videos! Could you make a video on footwork? I've seen a lot of videos detailing how to perform guards and other basic things, but never one that focused on how you're supposed to move your feet.

[@jackhammertwo1]

I Know this a HEMA oriented channel but i feel like i should thank you, allow me to explain myself: me and a few friends are trying to start a indie games studio and i am currently working a sobrenatural game (cant talk about the details for understable reasons) but two of the characters relies in swords for combat that cant depend of firearms, and im getting a better idea when it comes to swordfighting thanks to yuor videos, so again thank you

[@Arkanthrall]

Really instructive, thank you.

[@theresakidd]

Thank you. Using this as research for my book.

[@LuiggiVampa]

Great class! Thanks!

[@bestiagrama1276]

Great video! Please do more of this kind of videos about stances or techniques to fight. Maybe an open air space would be better instead of a room =)

[@jimmyfairfield3289]

Thank you Skallagrim you make sword fighting very easy to understand and enjoyable im getting my first sword soon and having trouble picking any ideas?

[@ryokkeno]

Thanks for the Video. Quite educational.

[@theromanorder]

Please do more about stances and showing these moves with different weapons.

[@AllTheOthers]

Fool's guard is my favorite guard! I love it so much, it feels so natural being in that position, and so smooth bringing up my sword.

[@dimitiandoss]

I've been looking for someone to explain the fool's guard. Thanks for that.

[@TheMaskedFrenchMan]

You should do a video of you doing sword practice or something. I personally would love to see how you practice :)

[@MilIMeta]

wow Skall ! I'm German, and you actually shocked me as you said 'absetzen', tbh your pronunciation was pretty damn good.

[@oceanhell2]

I love a good messer. They look so cool.

[@SedrikGSX]

I freaking love all your educational videos like this!! I would love if Skallagrim make a video tutorial for the basics of swordfighting like basic parries, attacks, stances, maybe an explanation of the different styles of samurais, vikings and all of that? It would be so awesome to see and learn from Skallagrim!