Joachim Meyer's Longsword: Attacking the Openings - the Meyer Square

It's likely that if you've been practicing German Longsword for a while, then you've encountered the "Meyer Square." This cutting diagram can be found in in Meyer's 1570 treatise, at is often used as an isolated cutting exercise. However, it is how Meyer puts the idea of the square into practice that makes it worth further investigation.
In this video we examine the play demonstrating the attacks to the openings, as it relates to the "Meyer Square".
Apologies for the lower quality of some of the sound and video footage; editing was performed using a different setup while traveling for work.

[@flamezombie1]

As one of few HEMA instructors and the only Meyer instructor in my state (that I know of), these videos are so helpful for teaching students!

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

Thanks - I'm glad that they're useful to you :)

[@The1Trollmonkey]

My dude, this is the first time the square and its reasoning has made good sense to me. Now, instead of overthinking it trying to understand the rationale, I can just flow knowing what it is that's meant to be going on. Thank you so much!

[@timhema5343]

Brilliant. Love the categorization you made for openings, it applies to other system as well !

[@leonardsim5222]

I’m so glad you’re continuing with these, they are top quality

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

Thanks! I'm glad people find them useful :)

[@darrendowns5080]

Very helpful.Thank you.

[@chickensandwich1589]

So good! Most only think it is used for a solo cutting pattern.

[@aanathan0]

I missed these!

[@clonegreivou]

Very nice way of exploring and expanding the use of the square

[@BS-bd5uq]

Great video! Can't wait to see you discuss more in-depth interpretations like this

[@lemmilam]

Another fantastic video! Thank yoU!

[@jordanfinch6247]

A fantastic breakdown of Meyer's square and its applications. Thanks so much!

[@cspahn3221]

You make such excellent videos

[@Ben.Stockdale]

Fantastic as always 🤺

[@Richard-sq1ml]

I love these videos, your form is so clean too.

[@desdicadodog8452]

Great videos.

[@luisaugustogarciamera4179]

El video mas hermoso que he vistoen buen tiempo, muchisimas gracias por semejante contenido tan educativo.

[@TheCCBoi]

Amazing knowledge, thank you!

[@andrewstephens8790]

some of the best vids

[@matthewwilliams5407]

This video has been extremely helpful in becoming a better swordsman, thank you so much!

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@Sprechfenster]

Very nice and informative stuff. But that's hardly a surprising comment to make ;P Good job!

[@EconaelGaming]

Excellent

[@Zero.74]

Самое лучшее объяснения как работать с таблицей Мейра))

[@vishnudas3328]

THANK YOU,SO CLEAR AND HELPFULL

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

Thanks 😊

[@Pedroelesgrimistalibre]

Interesting video 👍

[@JulienGuegan]

Great video. Thanks, concerning the "automatic" and "interactive" techniques Meyer clearly states that the second is the correct choice. He speaks about it in Chapter 8 about Indess (instantly.) And again something similar in Chapter 10 about the four openings. And again somewhere else (couldn't find where by looking rapidly) where he mentions that you have to pause for as long as the blink of an eye, before strinking, to consider whether there is a better opening. He even mentions the cross and says you could shorten the 2nd strike, or even 2nd and 3rd, to reach the next strike faster and outrun your opponent.

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

I completely agree that for the most part Meyer intends attacks to be interactive/open-eyes. I do think it's useful to practice and understand both, though, as there are times when you may want to perform attacks at an automatic level, particularly when it comes to feints etc. Meyer does mention a number of times sequences of cuts/provocations to flow without any delay as well, before the opponent can react (MS 3337a says something similar), which can be taken as a kind of automatic attack, though that doesn't mean I disagree with your point :)

[@JulienGuegan]

Ok, I have to agree with you. Meyer says the device should be performed quickly and he provides us with the exercise to practise and be able to so. As I understand it, he describes this as a set of priorities. First, learn to attack quickly at the four opening, and train for it (a lot.) Then, learn how to defend on the four openings, how to block or counter the attacks. Then, thirdly, learn to read the opponents reactions and adapt your attacks. So, how I undestand it, the attack has to be running on an automatic level for you to be able to "detach" from it and have time to react and adapt... Anyway, thanks again for all your videos, they have been most helpful to gain some insight on the tactical part and have been a joy to see and study!

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

@@JulienGuegan I actually agree with this analysis of the progression - nicely put.

[@heeniee.71]

Awesome video, I'm curious why the cuts that "set up" the Meyer square come from weschel, with the short edge, before switching to the long edge after the final cut from below, rather than striking with the long edge for each of the cuts that "set up" the sequence?

[@kloa4219]

are there any other styles of swordsmanship? this is really awesome!

[@kloa4219]

1:00 It is really interesting how religious symbolism plays a role behind these.

[@Cente_Bui]

Not a HEMA or fencing guy whatsoever. But is it common to have a closed eyes sequence initiated by an open eyes read? Or are these two terms only describing the initial approach you take before an engagement has begun(ie front foot pressure vs back foot countering)?

[@gremlin633]

Hey! such a great videos, tnx. My question is: i noticed when you want to brake his guard you move your step landing on the heel, but when you go for the "real" attack you step landing on your tip. Am I correct? what s going on there?

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

You’re quite right - I’m a big fan of ‘natural’ footwork: when I’m feinting I’ll very often land on the heel inadvertently. Great catch for noticing one of my tells (shhhh don’t let anyone know 😉)

[@domintetarus7840]

Interesting point about the overcommited parries; if the partner keeps in control and does not overcommit, does the principle still work, for ex by surprizing him and gaining a tempo?

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

If the opponent maintains control then it becomes much more difficult, but you can certainly surprise them as you mention. Moreover, if your oppoenent is expecting the attack you can break time between cuts, and redouble to the same opening, or simply skip on of the openings and move to the next (this works pretty well after you've done the sequence to the once before :D )

[@WehrenAcademy]

Good video. I would say please please please stop calling it Meyer’s square. It’s is (how one shall attack the four openings) or (4 openings diagram) if you practice it correctly you will know it is not a square or a x at all.

[@StuffGong]

I think he has practiced it and knows it enough dude ... It's "usual" name is square because of the drawn diagram, which appears to be... a square, nothing more

[@WehrenAcademy]

@@StuffGong it’s lazy to call it a square. It’s almost insulting to call it a square. Have a little more respect to call it by its correct name. If you have been practicing it long enough you should know it has nothing to do with a square.

[@StuffGong]

@@WehrenAcademy insulting no less xD xD dude you need to chill

[@WehrenAcademy]

@@StuffGong sorry it’s a pet peeve of mine. We need to call things by their correct names. Are going to start calling the guards and cuts by different names then what the master you’re describing does? No. In the video he uses the correct guard name but then uses the incorrect name.

[@DanielPopeScholarVictoria]

I agree that the term "Meyer Square" is a misnomer. Unfortunately by now it's become so ingrained in the language of the community that it would be futile for me to try to change it (language is defined by usage after all). It's a little like the term "feder" - totally not a thing historically, but it's a modernised term we all use and understand. Your point is well taken though, but for the purposes of visibility, using the term "Meyer Square" is the best way for people to search for the topic. That's the reason the video title uses the more correct (shorterned) term "Attacks to the Openings", before saying Meyer Square :)