Fighting to the Four Openings
In the forward of the 1570, written by Joachim Meyer, we see his initial attempt to introduce to the reader, the primary and ancient rule of fighting with the Sword.
that is; that there exists a division of the opponent, into four quadrants, this division is the Spring or beginning from which all other methods and techniques arise.
So that the importance of this is not overlooked by us, as it appears to be, with so many others practicing HEMA today, i have attempted to write this article with
that in mind. I will both quote and paraphrase from Meyer's 1570.
Because Joachim Meyer knew the importance of these 4 targets, he says they go all the way back to the time of Liechtenauer, he wrote several chapters explaining
this. And if one truly reads and studies the works of Meyer, they will see just how important it is to understand these four divisions.
Chapter one is titled: Concerning the Combatant and his Divisions. In this chapter, Joachim Meyer seeks to introduce to his readers, this ancient principle that the opponent is merely divided into four, he goes on to show this in Plate A, by drawing a cross of lines on the opponent. It appears that the intersection of the
horizontal and vertical lines is found at about chest level. This is the traditional divider that the fencers had always used. Liechtenauer himself based his strikes and thrusts on this division. Meyer is definitley in keeping with the Liechtenauer tradition in this respect. However, Joachim Meyer knew that his contemporary Germans did not thrust at each other. And as was the custom then in the late 16th century, the Fechtschulen dictated the target. The head was the primary target, and that to draw blood from the head, was the intended goal. In keeping with this, the fechtmeister was wise to further divide the head into four quadrants. Also shown by the same image on the right side of Plate A. From this we see the nose is now where the Horizontal and Vertical lines intersect.
This becomes very apparent to us when we delve deeper into his teachings and actually see the various targets named. these targets exist not only for us to strike to, but to deceive to. They are the openings, that we create when we follow the Master's advice.
"Now although this division may seem very childish to some people, (since all things have more critics than improvers)" Meyer goes on to say that the reader must
understand that it is the very heart of the Art. We come to learn this when we learn his techniques and how they seek to deceive the opponent or lure him from the
advantage. making himself open in one of these four places. Actually eight if we view the additional head being divided into four. It is probably best to learn all
eight of these targets. As there seem to be many today who are studying the various forms of Liechtenauer's teachings, and that while these works are not nearly as
concise as Meyer, or even explained, I am positive someone, somewhere, someday, will realize, that Joachim Meyer knew the targets Liechtenauer intended! And furthermore, shared them with us in both Line drawing and print
Chapter One concludes with the statement that Meyer feels this initial introduction has been sufficient.
In Chapter Three: Concerning the Postures or Guards, we also see the Four openings implied. The Guards that he names also come from these Four Openings.
Look at the description of the OX, where Meyer says, " The upper part of the opponent is given to the OX, and that has two quarters the left and the Right.
So we see that the very Guards are named concerning these divisions of the Man. The Lower openings belong to the Plow, and protect and defend the lower two
openings or to the left and right. Again, this sense of the rudimentary basis for the Art is given, and this is all based on the four openings. These first two guards are considered Primary or Chief Guards and were not invented by Joachim Meyer. No, they go way back, probably before Liechtenauer himself. So the importance of the Four Quadrants of the Opponent should seem that much more critical to us today. All other Guards, or the secondary Guards that the Fechtmeister taught, arise from these first Four main guards. they are not simple inventions meant to confuse the reader or baffle our minds'. They take their basis from the Four Main guards, we then could assume that the same principle of Diviions of Four, apply to these secondary Guards. And they do.
The handworks that the Masters taught, also target the openings consistent with his previous teachings. Especially to the four openings of the head, we see many of
the Windings targeting the various quadrants of the Head. Everywhere we read this man's instruction, we see the openings, eiher directly mentioned or implied.
Chapter 10: How one Shall Attack to the Four Openings
Here is where we see the actual advice the Fechtmeister gave us for attacking to these quadrants. This Chapter serves as a prelude or preface to the Chapter on the
devices, where he teaches actual fighting techniques, which arise from all of his previous teachings in the 1570 fencing book. It is here in Chapter 10 that we also see his numbered Line drawing, which gives four combinations, with four strikes each. The numbering system that he used is simple and easy to follow. His also gave writteninstruction on how to use this most effectively. And it becomes apparent very quickly, that the many variations of these four targets of attack, are
increased exponentially by altering the types of cuts, the edges used (all three), and the Guards from which we start.
It is also mentioned by the Master, that when we ourselves cut to an opening, we must remember that we too are making ourselves open, in opposition or reverse
from our intended cut. That is as important to us as the usefulness of understanding the Four Targets of the Opponent!
The very first example Meyer gives is device-like, in its own nature. And that is: when you come before an opponent, slash up from your right, throwing undercut
after undercut, two three or more times, these snipping vexing cuts serve to confound your true intentions and alter the opponents sense of measure and timing.
Finally on the last cut upwards stop it in Lonpoint, then allow your blade to run off or ablauffen, by dropping the point to the left and raising the hands high to the right somewhat, this is the gathering for the first cut of the four openings, which diagonally down towards his Left ear, this diagonal cut is done with a step off line and to him. Once this has hit, we are then told to pull back and away and in a single motion, cut from your lower left diagonally up towards his right arm, keeping your hands high, your cross above your head, this cut should be done with a step off line to your left, or towards the opponents right side somewhat. When this
has hit, you must pull quickly back, and preferably hands held high, to your right, to cut the third from your lower right, up towards his lower left opening. then just when this has connected, again pull back and around your head towards your left, and cut the fourth diagonally downward at his right ear. From there deliver a
thwart around and in this clearing thwart, you may withdraw. Meyer further advises us to deliver these quickly, one after the other, along with their appropriate
steps. We have seen the efficiency of doing this in freeplay and this eficiency comes from drilling and practicing these four combinations of four cuts exercises.
It is also advised by the fechtmeister, that we alternate the edges when practicing these four cuts. using all Long edge cuts, all short edge cuts, and all flat strikes. Furthermore, we may combine long edge and short and flat strikes, we may combine full cuts or cutting thru, with half cuts which stop in Longpoint. By doing this last variation, we are able o see the efficiency of his principle of cutting in oppostition. In other words, if you throw a long edge cut to the opponents upper right opening, and stop this at the mid way opint or in Longpoint, then cut the next to his lower left with a full cut, it is as if you have just completed a Change cut, or wechselhau. You have draw the opponent up to his upper right opening and thereby made his lower left opening available to you, to which your next cut is thrown.
So we see the efficiency of these four openings drills especially when we "pull them off" in freeplay. It is confounding and confusing and centuries old. Nothing
new or modern here. this is the Art of Joachim Meyer, and is based on the time honored tradition of the four quadrants of the opponent.
the fechtmesiter says for good reason that it is in one of these four targets all opponents are struck.
The following is an excerpt from the Meyer Freifechter Site, and was written and conceived of by Mike Cartier. Who has realized early on, in the reconstruction of the Art of Joachim Meyer, the critical importance of understanding the four openings of the German Kunst des Fechtens. He goes on to include a computer generated, randomly changing practice drill that has proven very useful to many of us, who wish to learn the true art of Combat as taught by Joachim Meyer:
The Four Openings drill is the bread and butter drill for the entire Meyer art of combat. This endlessly customizable drill teaches us much of what we need for combat in the Meyer system, footwork, weapon projection and reach, triangular footwork, Pulling and blade control to name a few.
# This drill has three main Variables Guard
# Cutting Edge
# Cutting Method
Guard is our starting point, we can do any of the 4 openings from any guard, some more efficiently than others but from all nonetheless. Guard can also be distributed in the drill in 2 main ways.
1) Start in a guard and make all the cuts and return to the guard
2) Start in a guard and return to that guard (or any other for that matter) before beginning the next strike
Cutting Edge is the edge we cut through the drill with, the edge types are Long Edge, Short Edge and Flat. These can be used singularly or mixed together in the drill as needed.
Cutting Method is how we cut, our choices are
Full Cut (Cutting all the way through the target)
Half Cut (Cut to the center of the target and stop)
Opposition Cut (Cut a half cut to a target and then pull the weapon around to strike a full cut through the targt from the oppositte angle to the original target) [You can also reverse the Opposition cut and cut a Full Cut followed by a Half Cut to the original target]
Doppelhau (cut thru the target twice before moving on to the next cut)
Four Openings Drill Videos (all videos only show the first of the Four Openings to avoid confusion, all 4 of the Openings are shown at the bottom of this page in the diagrams and in the Four Openings Randomizer below.
Another important thing to remember about this drill is that Meyer does not give us this drill in this exact manner but often preceds his drill with a series of cuts designed to draw the opponents attention somewhere else, often this is a series of cuts done to the same target often without even the intention of hitting the opponent, but done with body comportment and position designed to decieve the opponent about your true intentions.
link to above excerpt, which includes computer generated, random 4 openings drill:
http://freifechter.com/fouropenings.cfm?#4
Many of the practices today of the historic European Martial Arts appear devoid of this very basic premise. Many complaints arise of the amounts of Hand hitting
and hits to the legs. It is hoped that a continuing study of these Four Openings will improve the quality of the fighting Arts being reconstructed today.
