Step 1 of 4Augsburg, 15th c.
Crossed blades at close range.
Talhoffer, Fechtbuch, 1467 — Cod.icon. 394a, plate 2. Wikimedia Commons ↗
Folio 1rGerman (Talhoffer)

Ringen am Schwert

— wrestling at the sword

Talhoffer's wrestling-at-the-sword sequence. The blade is trapped; the free hand seizes; the throw concludes the fight.

Talhoffer regards wrestling as the natural resolution of any bind he cannot win with the blade. The four-plate sequence shows the transition from blade contact to empty-hand takedown without commentary — each picture is the next instant.

The play, step by step

1 / 4

Ⅰ

Im Band

— in the bind

From a crossing or block at close range you have gained inside position. The cut is not available.

Next → Trap or drop the sword and grip · step 2: Greifen

Or deviate from the script

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Plays you may enter

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