Solo Longsword: Meyer's Square for solo drills

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 The pattern in depth
02:47 The Basics
04:08 The Real Deal
04:54 Variations
06:55 Solo training advice

All too often people simply gloss over the fact that Joachim Meyer's four openings drill is best performed in pairs. In this video, however, we'll go over how what is now known as the Meyer Square can be used for solo training in such a way that you still train towards its original goals; we'll go over the pattern itself, what tactical skills it aims to train, and how you can adapt it into a ton of variations for solo training sessions.

Special mention needs to go to Ilkka Hartikainen who provided the #HistoricalEuropeanMartialArts​ community with the high quality digital version of Meyer's Square used in this video, already some years ago.

[sacredxgeometry]

You…didn’t need to read the ENTIRE German title and subtitle of the book 😂 but you did that for US!

[yangshen]

Bro, when he read the title of the book in the original German (?), that straight f'd me up....

[Angry_Goose_Arms]

Did this for 15 mins and it buurrrnnns.
Thank you

[physicshebang]

I just started HEMA longsword yesterday and was desperately trying to understand this diagram and you made it easy. Thanks for the exceptional quality of your walkthroughs!

[v_fencer]

I've practiced kendo for 5 years and just recently got into HEMA, training with longsword and Sabre. Absolutely loved this video. Keep up the great work man! The quality of this is too good and it's super that I can learn accurate German pronunciation along the way🤣

[Tanstaaflitis]

As a Fiorist, I've wanted a clear video these drills. You certainly delivered!

[vince]

I love that throughout Europe there were seperate teachings and traditions but they all cover the same key points.
I would consider this to be like Ledall's flourishes in the English texts.
An albeit quite different approach but with the same purpose of teaching transitions between strikes.

[GMaster_Yoda]

Maurice, I've been practicing Hema in a school that teaches Meyers longsword now for about 4 months. Im using your videos to practice drills, which have been excellent, by the way. However, im curious why you're no longer making videos? The quality is supurb and very helpful/informative.

[synthemagician]

And this is now my daily training exercise. Thank you!

[harryhaller]

I can't believe I've finally found a good channel that teaches properly how to longswrod. Thank you kind sir

[maxmai]

Hi, I am from China where HEMA is blossoming and I am start learning Meyer sword, thank you for your guides, very well made video, subed

[SherryBombburlesque]

I just found this video and it finally clicked! I will definitely be taping some numbers up on a mirror! Thank you for this video!

[farisomar]

Now only i truly understand the Meyer Square. Thanks alot. Your explaination and demonstration is very clear.

And I also appreciate the suggestion for variation if exercise using the Meyer Square. It makes the exercise more exciting and challenging.

[SupDamahtD]

I like how you demonstrated. Easy to understand. Thank you ❤❤❤❤

[darrenwoodhead]

This is bloody brilliant! Thank you! Im looking forward to more videos coming out. Your techniques are beautifully fluid, and explanations exceedingly clear! Thanks again!

[robertmalinowski]

Das ist eine der einfachsten Erklärungen, super. Great explanation and easy to understand. Thanks... Dankeschön ;)

[kylerhyne]

Thank you so much for making these videos! I'm just starting in buhurt and look forward to longsword training now!

[CrazyCoen]

Nice to hear your voice to guide everyone through!

[eulenspiegel]

This is a good explanation of the Meyersquare. However, I noticed something and have a small objection. When doing this exercise, keep the point of the sword pointed at your opponent whenever possible.

After every stroke you always end up in the plow or ox (Pflug oder Ochs) For example, if you cut a right Oberhau, then you can of course pull the blow through to the boar's tooth, but that does not threaten the opponent with the point and you are also not protected by your own sword.

It makes more sense to cut into the left plow. Shortly after you have passed the long point position with the blow, you simply pull your left arm up against your bodys. In principle, the blow is absorbed by the right arm, which is pulled towards the body. The right forearm hits the lower body lightly, which stops the blow.

Now all you have to do is move your arms forward a little and you are already standing in the left plow and you can stab straight to the long point.

Wile standing in plowguard you have two options. You can cut an undercut to the right ox position. Or you first wind from the left plow into the left ox and then cut the undercut in the right ox.

Try to stab either from plow or ox after each stroke to make this exercise a little more challenging and you will see what I mean. That is actually the idea of ​​this exercise. One is supposed to learn the basic strokes while constantly building a threat with the tip of the sword.

Greetings from Germany to all HEMA friends out there.

[stephenkrus]

Sir... you're a #Legend👑for this!✨👍It makes so much sense!🤔