Halberd of Joachim Meyer

Post Reply [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1275: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable
Kevin Maurer
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1275: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable
Halberd of Joachim Meyer

Post by Kevin Maurer » Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:28 pm

Here is an Article i wrote awhile ago. I basically cover the four cuts that Joachim Meyer teaches and some other precepts he includes. The halberd is by far, my favorite weapon of the Kunst des fechtens to train and Spar with. I have found that the force and power generated by the staff, requires control when free playing. It shows how destructive this weapon is!

http://freifechter.com/halberd.cfm

I have attempted to make several different padded versions, but to no avail. No matter what i used for the Blade, Hook, Spear, it was still dangerous to freeplay with. And i have found there is no substitute for control when training with Polearms. Thanks
Kevin Maurer
jpk
Sleepyhead
Sleepyhead
Posts:1
Joined:Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:50 am
Web site 2:Zornhau.de
Club:Zornhau, Germany
Weapons:no guns
Contact:

Re: Halberd of Joachim Meyer

Post by jpk » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:22 am

Kevin, I like your article - especially the "Meyer says that to learn the Halberd is useful to develop agility of the body" - because the 4 Treibhau are mostly exercises to develop the body and to learn the movement. They have little use in a combat situation.

I do not totally agree in the Kreuzhau interpretation.
"The first cut is basically a diagonal Cross Cut using Long then Short edges or Over/Over starting from the Left in the Left High Guard, the halberd being held with the left hand forward, is extended and cuts diagonally down thru the opponents face with the Blade." - fine!
"Immediately slashing diagonally down thru the opponents face with your Hook (short edge) Recover this strike by returning to the Left High Guard." - maybe wrong

Checkout the meaning of "Kreuzhau" in Dussak etc. or here: http://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2011/05/ ... rs-strike/
a Kreuzhau is two diagonal strikes with the right edge - so in the interpretation I found a variation with two strikes with the axe.

Have a look http://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2012/03/ ... -von-oben/
And http://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2012/03/ ... von-unden/ - here it follows the common understanding.

Best wishes.
User avatar
Roger N
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts:701
Joined:Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:13 pm
Weapons:Longsword, quarterstaff, dussack, dagger
Location:Gothenburg, Sweden
Contact:

Re: Halberd of Joachim Meyer

Post by Roger N » Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:20 pm

The Treiben and the Kreutzhauw I think are quite clever lessons since they teach us body and weapon mechanics so we learn how to parry from all the positions we end up in as we move around either defensively or offensively.

So basically as I parry, I will end up in one of the guards and can instantly continue either by continuing in the motion taught by the Kreutzhauw, or choose to change direction as I come into one of the corner guards; the Oberhau on both sides, the Nebenhut on your left side or the stance that we call "Wechselhut" on our right side.

Similarly, when I attack with a strike or thrust and my attack is broken by a parry from my opponent, then again I will end up in one of the corner stances and can instantly choose to counter as above.

This is actually one of the most important lessons of the halben stangen/halberd section I think. :)
Roger Norling

Quarterstaff instructor
Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild

Member of MFFG
http://www.freifechter.com

Member of HEMAC
http://www.hemac.org

Chief editor HROARR
http://www.hroarr.com
Post Reply
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1275: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1275: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Return to “Techniques”