Bind
Binden
The moment in historical fencing when the blades of both fencers touch and stay in contact. The fencer feels whether the opponent presses strongly or weakly.
Quick Facts
Term typePhysical and biomechanical principle
LanguageGerman
Formnoun
Pronunciation[bint]
Alternative Namesbinding of the blades
Readings and romanizations
IPAˈbɪndn̩
Definition
Bind (German binden, “to bind”) is when the swords of both fencers meet and stay in contact. Johannes Liechtenauer's German fencing tradition teaches fencers to “feel” (Fühlen) in the bind whether the opponent presses strongly (stark, hart) or weakly (schwach, weich). The fencer picks his next action accordingly. Against strong pressure he yields and bypasses the opponent's blade, against weak pressure he pushes on and hits directly. Work in the bind underlies many longsword techniques and ties to the principle of Indes.