Utilizing the Ochs (Longsword Essays 3)

[@MartinFabian]

Hey there friends! Happy to present another part from my series "Longsword Essays". I have recently launched a patronage page at www.buymeacoffee.com/martinfabian. If you like my videos, if you would like to see more of them or unlock exclusive content like articles, blogs, discuss fencing with me or even get online coaching from me, please check the perks for supporters and members. Members from Intermediate Supporters up have already access to an accompanying blogpost to the "Utilizing Ochs" video. Thanks a lot and hope you enjoy the video :) Happy Easter! MF

[@petritzky]

"I would strongly advise against approaching in right Ochs." Simon Rieger, he pulls it off somehow. I don't wanna know the valley of tears he went through to make it there.

[@Druid_Ignacy]

I suppose that the key may be to hold the sword primarly with weak hand fingers - in gloves, if you hold crossed hands ochs mostly with dominant hand, weak arm tends to become very tasty target. But that's just an idea, am trying it now. In messer these problems are non existant, all hengen work well easyli.

[@th_blck_knght]

would love to see you go over other basic guards in similar manner!

[@GreywolfConstruction]

Your videos have allowed me to make it to finals in tourney with rapier. I will see how far I can go with long sword training.

[@incongruouscat4646]

Thank you for taking the time to produce, Martin. I always learn so much from watching your videos 🙂

[@clopmeister1680]

Great to see the maestro back in action!

[@luyang7781]

I always enjoyed your choice of background music...

[@jeffwhite7158]

You might be interested in this text from an old manual, circa 1600AD: "How to utilize the Ochs: If thou dost endeavor to partake transportation from a driving traveler as a passenger, thou may be resigned to the seats arranged in the rear of a moving vehicle. If such a time arises in which the forward-sitting persons in the vehicle are allowing a playlist to air which is not fire, it is appropriate at this time to state "Bro, pass me the Ochs" to which the forward sitting persons may be insulted or offended, as, asking for the Ochs is to insinuate that their music is not in good taste. If such protests arise, inform the driver that the musical emanations are the sound equivalent of the way Lady Godiva's saddle smells on a humid summer day, and remind them that whilst ensuring the rear passenger compartment cramped quarters, you requested a snickers bar but instead were presented with a Zagnut. You should, if the fellow travelers are of decent pedigree, be granted the Ochs to which you may now Grace the vehicles occupants with a truly fire playlist."

[@adamlooping]

Another gem. Thanks for this! 🙌

[@saltyfruits3961]

Yessssssss!!! Thank uuuuu 🔥🔥🔥

[@fernandomartins8948]

Excellent video, as usual!

[@Druid_Ignacy]

Cool video, thanks!

[@alvaro_lareo]

awesome as always :D

[@skeemens]

Really cool video! Thanks. One point I have not made out - do you use the short edge to opposite the oberhaw (after attack) or the long one? Or the both depending of (which) situation

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks! This really depends, I would say both but I'd say I use long edge the most since I'm trying to do the same for any thrust/cover like that

[@EconaelGaming]

Hello Sigi!

[@Barbat0s-y3r]

Thank you very much! But as a left handed fencer which almost always fights right handed fencers I should forget about ox😢

[@Sinestrahema]

I'm a lefty and i primarily fence from finestra (ochs) handedness only matters from the openings before you enter krieg/mezza spada/middle distance, and the openings you attack to after the crossings. Ochs takes the longest to get comfortable fencing out of but is very versatile, keep trying its totally worth it!

[@leichtmeister]

The one who fences short, that is in plownor ochs, will always be beaten. - Liechtenauer 🤷

[@MartinFabian]

Lichtenauer also says never fence short or always strike at the opponent and proceeds to teach krumphau :) He also said his art is for those who can already fence and proceeds to teach footwork 101 He also said never strike the blade and proceeds to teach 50 techniques which strike the blade etc Funny man he was

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

I miss your voice :(

[@SynysterVlad]

Every guard is useful if you know its applications, yes you are leaving Ochs guard, but you are doing it intentionally generating an invitation and showing us variables to resolve the situation.

[@MartinFabian]

Most guards are totally not useful 🥲

[@YannKastell]

@@MartinFabian Which ones are you thinking about ? I'm curious to know ; I'd like to read your perspective on this. Why would they exist, are they only considered "useless" because of their limited application in tournament, .... ?

[@MartinFabian]

@@YannKastell I have a whole video dedicated to the topic in the Learn Longsword Series (pt2)

[@YannKastell]

​@@MartinFabian I'll go see it, thanks !