The Zornhau
The Zornhau is a diagonal Oberhau from the right hand side. It
is elementary to end the stroke
in a Pflug-like position, capable
of threatening the opponent with
one's own point, on the left
side. This means the stroke must
by no means be pulled through.
Furthermore, the direction of the stroke must
not be executed horizontally,
the correct trajectory is from
above in order to hit the flat
of the opponent's blade. However,
this doesn't mean that the sword
is the target: If the distance
is too wide for a direct hit
one hits the sword and takes
it off the course, thus enabling
oneself to apply consecutive
techniques. If the distance is
shorter, the trajectory of the
stroke remains exactly the same
but this time the blade hits the opponent's head.
The Zornhau is a technique against Oberhaue that come in at an angle of about 45°.
For reasons of clarity the techniques are shown from both sides.
The Zornhau
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Light starts his attack with an Oberhau from the right side.
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While Light's stroke is on its way, Dark starts his counter, the Zornhau.
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Dark has completed the Zornhau: The point of his opponent shows far off-line on his left side and doesn't constitute a threat anymore. The own point on the other hand threatens Light's face directly.
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In detail: Dark's sword has hit the flat of Light's sword with the long edge and has thrown it off the track. Dark just needs to stretch the hands in order to eliminate Light.
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Winding/Winden
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If Light has hit so hard that Dark was unable to put his point to Light's face, or if even Light's point threatens Dark's face, Dark has to feel this instantly. This is called "feling/Fühlen" on the sword, and Dark has to instantly (or "indes", as it is called in the manuscripts) apply a second technique in order not to be defeated.
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Dark winds his sword along the opponent's blade: In that way he brings his own strong to the weak of Light's sword and can effortlessly control it. The hands have to come in the front and must by no means be retrieved. This position is equivalent to the guard Ochs.
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A detail showing the crossguard of Dark's sword at the weak of Light's blade.
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Taking off/Oben abnehmen
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If Light has hit even harder so that his point shows past Dark's right shoulder, Dark must react instantly (indes). If he fails to do so, Light might exploit his superior position.
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Because of the energy Light has put into his blow he is not able to stop in time in order to react to Dark's counter: Dark makes use of the momentum and withdraws his sword upwards, always keeping contact with Light's blade. It is important not to exaggerate and only just pass the point.
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Dark strikes again on the other side of the opponent's blade and hits the head.
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Changing Through/Durchwechseln
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Light has struck again, this time even more powerful so that he presses Dark's point down. Dark uses this given direction of motion to his advantage and follows it even further.
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Light's sword doesn't constitute a threat because of the mis-aligned point. Dark directs his blade under Light's hands to a thrust in the abdomen.
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