Class 3: Low Guards and the Krumphaw
Before getting into the lesson we teach you our footwork ladder drills. Footwork is a key element to being proficient at fencing because it is what allows you to control the distance from your opponent. It can be difficult at first but over time it improves everyone. Discipline is fundamental to every martial art. It's like eating vegetables.
First you will learn the Guards Fool (“Alber”), Iron Gate (“Eisenport”) and Changer (“Wechsel”)
We start by practicing Hews from beneath (“Underhaw”) targeting the hands of an opponent in Plow from each. Bending at the waist with a straight back is critical to increasing your Distance.
Then we show how the “Krumphaw” (Crooked Hew) can be used to Bar (block) an opponent beneath your sword and follow it up with a short edge strike to the head or shoulder.
Finally, we play a sparring game where only hands and krumps follow ups score. Stabbing or thrusting does not score.