The Reversed Cuts (Verkehrte Hiebe) in Joachim Meyer’s Longsword (1570)
Meyer distinguishes the reversed or inverted cuts (verkehrte Hiebe) from the four straight cuts by their use of inverted hands (thumbs typically downward or crossed in opposition), the short edge (kurze Schneide), flat (Fleche), or blade corners. These twelve derivative cuts—Schielhau, Krumphau, Kurtzhau, Glitzhau, Prellhau (single and double), Blendhau, Windhau, Kronhau, Kniechelhau, Sturzhau, Wechselhau, and related actions like Schneller/Zeckrühr—enable simultaneous displacement and counter-attack, deception, misleading, binding, winding, chasing, and slicing.
Descriptions draw from Meyer’s text in the draft translation by Rebecca Garber (2022), available on Wiktenauer and in the full draft translation PDF, aligned with Jeffrey L. Forgeng’s interpretations.
Schielhau (Squinter Cut / Schielhauw)
A high diagonal short-edge cut that misleads with a “squinting” facial gesture or skewed line, breaking high guards like Ochs while targeting hands or head.
How to perform: From Vom Tag or Zornhut (left foot forward), when the opponent cuts high, invert hands (short edge leading) and cut diagonally downward across their line while stepping right foot to their left side and moving the head aside. Wind the short edge inward under their sword to the head; if they wind inward, counter-wind outward to strike the head. Alternate versions include winding the long edge upward to hit in the “old Squinter” position or using it in “Break Window” sequences by cutting crosswise at an in-flying strike. Executed on both sides, often with facial feints for deception in misleading (Verführen).
Krumphau (Crooked Cut / Krumpfhauw)
A hooked or crooked cut, typically horizontal or diagonal with crossed hands, striking over or behind the opponent’s blade to their hands or head.
How to perform: From Zornhut (left foot forward), when the opponent cuts high, step right foot offline to their left and cut crookedly with the long edge (or short) across between their head and blade, placing your blade over their arm to the hands. Pull crossed hands upward to strike with the outward flat from below to the left ear. From Nebenhut, leap right foot leftward and cut crossed above/behind their blade to the head. Variants include deceptive lifts or windings if no immediate cut comes; performed on both sides for binding and handwork.
Zwerchhau (Crosswise Cut / Zwerchhauw / Thwart Cut)
A horizontal or diagonal thwarting cut across the body or blade, using short or long edge for simultaneous block and strike, protecting the head with the crossguard.
How to perform: From Zornhut (left foot forward, sword on right shoulder), when cut high, invert hands and cut horizontally with the short edge from below upward, catching their blade on your strong while extending to their head (often ears or neck); step left to their side. For right-side version, use long edge to their right. Pull the blade around the head to tilt short edge at the left ear; if they respond, let it drop as a miss, cross hands, and strike short edge to right ear. In Vom Tag, cut horizontal long edge left to neck/temple, then second to right. From Einhorn, cut long edge horizontal right to catch on strong. Variants include combining with low cuts in one motion, deceptive diagonal flicks to four openings, double sequences with rebounds, or eight-fold windings (inward/outward) from the bind to hit the head while remaining on the blade; powerful from Ochs as opposite Wrath cut with long edge to arm.
Kurtzhau (Short Cut / Kurtzhauw)
A deceptive short-edge cut that slips close under the opponent’s extended blade for deep strikes to the head or neck.
How to perform: When the opponent cuts high, raise hands high as if binding crooked (short edge on their sword) and pass forward under it, inverting to strike shortly with the short edge crossed over their right arm to the head, catching their sword with your long edge. From Vom Tag, flick short edge downward to left ear, then hit short edge to right ear crossed. In Zornhut, swift to left ear followed by low cut to lower right. In Schlüssel, mimic thrust then cut crosswise short to left ear. Variants include deceptive thrust feints (cross hands as if thrusting, then cut crosswise); not intended as direct safe counter but for provocation and close entry; on both sides.
Glitzhau (Clash Cut / Glützhauw / Flash Cut)
A clashing flat cut that displaces downward and slips over to strike the head.
How to perform: When cut high, invert hands and clash the flat downward onto their blade in the upper left opening, letting the short edge glide over their hands to hit the head. Variants include executions in sequences on both sides for sudden redirection in handwork against high cuts.
Prellhau (Bounce Cut / Prellhauw)
A rebounding cut using the flat for redirection, in single or double forms.
How to perform: Single form: Meet a high cut with Zwerchhau; as it flashes, pull around the head and strike outward inverted flat to the left ear, then rebound around to cut crosswise left. Double form: In onset from right Ochs (when opponent raises sword), pull around head and cut inward flat right at their blade (pommel low); step right foot around their left, pull up/yank left, and hit outward with inverted hands. Variants emphasize rebound elasticity for deception in sequences with crosswise cuts.
Blendhau (Blinding Cut / Blendhauw)
A quick flicking cut from the bind to momentarily blind or open the opponent.
How to perform: From right-side bind, wind hilt below to their left; if they displace, flick the weak or short edge crossed right-to-left at the head, then wind back or yank with short edge left. Variants are numerous in handwork, combining with pulls or windings for misleading.
Windhau (Winding Cut / Windhauw)
A cut executed while winding in the bind, changing edges and lines.
How to perform: When cut high, counter from below crossed (pommels under right arm), step left offline, pull pommel back around left, and strike long edge to head over their right arm or behind blade; fly out and cut back through the cross. Variants include eight winding forms (inward/outward counter-winds to remain on the blade while hitting the head), chasing or slicing in handwork against high cuts.
Kronhau (Crown Cut / Kronhauw)
An upward displacing cut that forms a protective “crown” over the head.
How to perform: From Pflug or low guard, thrust upward to catch their descending cut on the ricasso/schilt, lift crossguard horizontal like a crown (thrust pommel up), and strike behind their blade to the head with short edge. Variants integrate inversion for simultaneous counter-hit; contained within Scheitelhau master cut.
Kniechelhau (Wrist Cut / Kniechelhauw)
A precise cut targeting wrist, hand, or elbow joints in close play.
How to perform: After close entry or passing under (hands high, head between arms), cut horizontally crosswise under their pommel upward at the wrists or below the elbow. Variants apply only against high-handed opponents for joint strikes after initial attacks.
Wechselhau (Change Cut / Wechselhauw)
A deceptive cut that shifts sides, lines, or edges to mislead.
How to perform: Alternate cuts side-to-side or high-to-low (and back), changing edges or directions mid-sequence to open targets before the opponent can respond. Variants focus on rapid transitions in misleading handwork.
Sturzhau (Plunge Cut / Sturzhauw)
A forceful high descending cut plunging the point headlong toward the face.
How to perform: From high guards like Ochs, cut from above while driving the point aggressively to the opponent’s face, often transitioning into extended positions. Variants emphasize approach/onset aggression, differing slightly from standard high cuts by the plunging threat.
Schneller oder Zeckrühr (Flick or Tagging Contact / Schneller/Zeckrühr)
A quick non-committal flick or provoking tag, often not a full cut.
How to perform: From bind or middle distance, snap or flick the weak, flat, or outer blade over/under their sword to tag openings or blade, provoking reactions. Variants include middle-work only, combining with slices, doublings, or pulls on both sides.
Glossary of Terms Used
- Reversed cuts (verkehrte Hiebe) → Inverted cuts using short edge, flat, or reversed grip for simultaneous counter and deception.
- Short edge (kurze Schneide) → The back (false) edge, primary in most reversed cuts.
- Crossed/inverted hands (gekreuzigten Händen or verschränkten Händen) → Grip with opposing or downward thumbs for short-edge leverage and control.
- Bind (Anbinden) → Blade-on-blade contact for feeling intent, common entry for windings and reversed actions.
- Winding (Windung) → Spiraling blade control in contact, often with eight variations (inward/outward).
Useful YouTube Videos
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