This week at Crossing Fight School, we will be looking into the last of Hans Medel’s Longsword techniques, namely Durchwechseln.

Sometimes translated as the “change through”, or the “disengage”, this deceptive acrion can be used to suddenly steal initiative from your opponent, deny them feedback or create deception through the bind, or punish those who fence to the sword and not to a target. Through the use of proper timing, point control, and sword control, Durchwechseln allows you to apply pressure while keeping your opponent guessing, and also enables you to punish them when they react (or overreact) to what you’re doing. No fencer should be without this technique in their arsenal, so if you’ve yet to add it, now is the time.

See you all on Sunday.