| Primary Dusack Guards: |
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Zornhut - Wrath Guard
This is a deceptive guard used to entice out the opponent from his defenses. This guard can be done on both sides and is very effective when used in conjunction with other guards like the Bow/Bogen as instructed in the section of the Dusack book. Using Umschlagen/Umschnappen (blade control around the head) the Dusack can jump around the head quickly to cut at deceptive angles or quickly parry. The Zornhut with the Dusack mirrors the Longsword Zornhut in that it is done on both sides both on and off the shoulder depending on if you are in motion or coming to rest.
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Stier - Steer
The Stier is also done on both sides as with most guards given to us by Meyer. The right side Stier is very effective as a defensive posture to intercept in-coming Oberhaus. Later in the Dusack devices Meyer mentions the Stier on the left side as being basically opposite to the first picture of this guard on the left (below). The picture on the right represents a mid-step position stepping either forward or backward or perhaps even switching side with the guard. The second hand supports the blade on the back edge to give a very solid parry and this supporting hand can also be used to assist in a strike.
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Mittelhut - Middle Guard
The Mittelhut is only done on the left side, which is according to Meyer himself. However he goes on to contradict himself on this later in the book in the section on Devices where clearly a right side Mittelhut is also seen , however briefly.
The Mittelhut is an excellent setup for the Constrainer cuts that cut away the opponents weapon from the side or strike at his hands. In this way the Mittelhut sets up the Constrainer cuts with a step forward, back or traversing to the sides facilitating Angling to strike at the hand or batting away the in coming attack to Rinden over the head with a counter strike (Duplieren).
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Eber - Boar
The Boar is a pulled back guard only done on the right side, it allows quick forward attacks with edge and point, by pulling back it adds a layer of deception to the range you are fighting in. The left hand is held in front of the chest in preparation for off hand assistance.
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Wechsel - Change
The Change is the natural end result of a Zornhau strike, its use is much the same as the Change guard with the longsword, threatening short edge strikes or thrusts from the low position whilst also providing an excellent start position for a short edge parry.
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| Secondary Dusack Guards: |
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Wacht - Watch
The Wacht is the High guard of the Dusack, the left hand is placed on top of the right hand which grips the blade, the left hand can then assist in the strike or be used to catch your right up when in shoots up into the Wacht from below. This guard is done on both sides.
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Schnitt - Slice
The Schnit is the pflug of the Dusack, done on both sides it covers the centerline and is one of the best defensive guards. Just as with Pflug in the longsword, when in doubt withdraw in to the Schnit and most attacks will be covered.
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Langort - Longpoint
The Longpoint is the thrusting position you go to from any guard when thrusting, Notice its not a Lunge as we know it in modern fencing at all but a more shallow lunge which keeps you still well balanced to give and receive cuts.
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Bogen - Bow
The Bow is the hanging guard of the Dusack, it deftly covers you from attack and is excellent in the set up of a quick counter cut after a parry as instructed in the devices.
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Bastey - Bastion
The Bastion is an enigmatic guard, the description is somewhat murky and no pictures are referenced. Above is the closest I could find. I believe the Bastion is the Obler/fool guard of Dusack, the above version being a twist on Olber which turns the hand to make use of the effective Dusack hand guard. Essentially I see this guard in 2 versions, Olber and the below.
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Einhorn - Unicorn
I add a Einhorn/Unicorn position based upon the following two images which show a blade in transition during a strike which fits the position of Einhorn in longsword.
It may not be a guard at all but its is a frequent position you get into when cutting around so it is worth a mention.
© 2006 Mike Cartier
mike@arma-sfl.com
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