Zornhau / Wrath Strike
Zornhau
One of the five master strikes of the German school of fencing, a direct diagonal cut delivered from the right shoulder that typically overrides and defeats the Vom Tag guard.
Quick Facts
Definition
Zornhau, or wrath strike, is the simplest of the five master strikes (Meisterhäue) of the German fencing tradition associated with Master Johannes Liechtenauer, and is described as an almost instinctive, natural cut that even a complete beginner would land out of anger. It is delivered as a direct diagonal blow from the right shoulder toward the opponent's left side of the head or neck, and its main strength lies in its speed and directness, which allow it to override the opponent's Vom Tag guard before he can attack from it. A special variant is the Zornhau Ort, in which the strike transforms at the moment of blade contact into a thrust aimed at the opponent's face or chest, if pressure on the blades indicates the path is open. Zornhau is considered the counter to the Vom Tag guard, while other master strikes such as krumphau, schielhau, or scheitelhau serve against other guards. In surviving fencing manuals such as the MS 3227a manuscript or the Ringeck Codex, zornhau is always taught first, since most subsequent techniques build on its principle of balancing power and speed.
Related Terms
A historical crosswise cut with the longsword that serves as both defense and attack at once.
Vom Tag / From the RoofVom TagOne of the four basic guards of historical German fencing, in which the sword is raised high above the head or shoulder.
Krumphau / Crooked StrikeKrumphauOne of the five German master strikes, delivered with crossed hands to the side of the opponent's wrists, used chiefly as the counter to the Ochs guard.
Schielhau / Squinting StrikeSchielhauA deceptive master strike that at first looks like a straight cut but at the last instant turns the blade into a thrust or a cut with the short edge, typically as the answer to the Pflug guard.
Scheitelhau / Parting StrikeScheitelhauThe last of the five master strikes, a long, straight downward cut delivered with extended arms to the opponent's head or hands, traditionally aimed at defeating the Alber guard.