Question re: MEYER'S DAGGER TECHNIQUE

[Rod-Thornton]

My question is specific to the second counter presented against a downward strike to the upper left opening as interpreted by Jake Norwood in the ARMARIA.

I am having probs in bringing the description in stich uberzwerch into a cohesive action. Can anyone help? Basically, I do not think that I am following it. I am basically picturing a hooking maneuver that lands his wrist behind my right pinky and the hammer-portion of my fist along the bottom of my own wrist. Where it states now twitch the dagger to the left shoulder and poke a hole in his face or right arm, I envision a simple disengage and springing back up then stabbing down again....is that all to it or am I way off in left field?

[JeffGentry]

Hey Rod

I think you pretty much have it, you are stabbing down on to his arm from above(right at the wrist/dagger junction of your hand/wrist) as he stab's down to the your left side and redirecting his arm to your right and then bringing your dagger up to your left shoulder to stab him in the right arm or face, I would advise a small step offline/back with the left foot to get out of the way of the redirection.

Jeff

[Jake_Norwood]

Hi Rod,

I don't have that doc on me, so I hope I'm not telling you wrong, but from what you're saying you're doing the right thing.

You use the hook to disrupt your opponent's attack and to re-direct him down and to your right, crossing his right arm in front of his own body. You then cock the weapon up to your left shoulder (feel free to bean him with the pommel on the way up) and stap again along the same line, just like Jeff said.

Too easy!

Jake

[Rod-Thornton]

cool, thanks gentlemen. i was uncertain if i had it correct or not. basically, the length of the description faked me out a bit when translated into such a simple action. i just tried it out a number of times at several speeds (slow, 1/2, and full) and it seems to me that the inclusion of the elbow pop is both a) instinctive, when you perform it at speed, and b) almost necessary to really buy you the split second of time needed to safely get your own point into the other person crisply.

again, thanks.

[Jaron Bernstein]

The one thing I would add to that is footwork. If you don't move your feet and body with these things, a lot of the Meyer dolchfechten doesn't work well. Believe me, I have found that out the hard way! <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Rod-Thornton]

Yeah...I sort of assumed that was a given. Should have noted it though.

After our regular training session today Matt A. and I performed a number of 'em more or less with a willing and unwilling partner. Passing back and forward as appropriate with the elbow pop from your offhand really gets it done. Also found out that the nice thing from it is even if you are somewhat sloppy in the fog of combat with it, you are still pretty much set up (defensively, albeit) for a number of other good options to move immediately into. Scissor, or if you miss the hook and block him on your blade instead, the twist out (by reaching through to catch your own blade) to disarm and turn him out (or break his arm) is set up there too. Overall, as Jake said, "too easy!" but wih nice options.