Liechtenauer's system refers to five strikes, known as the Maisterhau, or "Master Cuts". These five strikes were used as counter strikes and to break certain guards. Liechtenauer's verses do not describe them in enough detail to know how they were made or even what type of cuts they were. Others, however, explained how and when to use these strikes.

The Five Strikes are:

The Zornhau - The Strike of Wrath

The Krumphau - The Crooked Strike (also known as the Bend)

The Zwerchhau - The Crosswise Strike (also known as the Thwart)

The Shielhau - The Squnting Strike

The Sheitelhau - The Parting Strike

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The Zornhau - The Strike of Wrath
This is a diagonal, downward strike used against an opponent's overhand strike.

Ken begins in the Roof guard. If his opponent strikes an overhand cut toward Ken's left side, Ken will counter with the Zornhau.
He steps wide to his right and forward, closing with his opponent, but moving out of the line of attack. At the same time he begins to strike a strong diagonal blow from right to left, almost the exact same cut his opponent is making.
He strikes against the oncoming blade, hitting it in the "strong". Note that his blade is slightly off to his left. This cuts off the opposing line of attack. At the same time, his strike may hit the opponent's hands, arms, or shoulder. If not, Ken's blade will bind against his opponent's. Ken will be in an excellent position from which he can thrust, slice, or cut his opponent.

Above Zornhau as Video (5 sec. 376KB .wmv format)

Zornhau vs Diagonal Cut (20 sec. 1 MB .wmv format)

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The Krumphau - The Crooked Strike
This is a downward strike made to the side against any strike to that side. We have found it highly effective against horizontal and rising cuts.

Ken begins in the Roof guard, though the Krumphau can be made from the other guards as well. The cut can be made quite strongly from the Barrier.
As his opponent strikes to Ken's left, Ken brings his hands forward and turns the blade so it is flat in front of his face, its long edge to his left. This blade movement is made just before Ken steps to his right.
As he steps to his right, Ken drives his hands downward in front of him and crosses his right hand over his left, driving the blade to his left at nearly a right angle to his arms. The cut appears to turn like the hands of a clock when looking at it from the front.
The cut strikes the opponents blade on the strong or perhaps hits the hands and wrists. The opponent's blade is driven downward, unable to hit its mark. From this position, which corresponds with the left Barrier guard, Ken can cut quickly up to his opponent's face with the short edge of his sword. This is done by pulling the pommel out from beneath the right hand using with the left hand, which snaps the blade forward.

Above Krumphau as Video (5 sec. 358KB .wmv format)

Krumphau vs Horizontal Cut (17 sec. 1 MB .wmv format)

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The Zwerchhau - The Crossing Strike
This is a high horizontal strike made with the short edge of the sword against an overhand strike.

Ken begins in the Roof guard. As his opponent strikes to Ken's left, Ken will step out to his right.
He brings the blade to his right for a horizontal strike. However, he also begins to turn the blade so the short edge is leading. When starting the cut, the tip of the blade moves back and to the right, rather than forward. This is tricky and takes practice.
When Ken's strike is made, the strong of his blade hits the strong of his opponent's blade. Ken's tip will wrap around quite naturally from this point and strike his opponent in the head. In fact, his opponent's blade momentum aids Ken's strike. This can only happen if the step is made well to the right. At this point, Ken's hands are high, protecting his head. Also, his right thumb is down, on the underside of the blade.

Above Zwerchhau as Video (3 sec. 269KB .wmv format)

Zwerchhau vs Diagonal Cut (18 sec. 1.1 MB .wmv format)

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The Shielhau - The Squinting Strike
This is a vertical strike made with the short edge of the sword against an opposing vertical strike. Liechtenauer suggests this strike is best used against an unskilled fighter who attacks with strength from above. This strike is also meant to break the Plow.

Ken begins in the Roof guard. As his opponent strikes vertically to Ken's head, Ken will step out to his right, avoiding the line of attack.
He brings the blade down for a vertical strike, but rotates the blade to bring the short edge forward.
It apears (our interpretation) necessary for Ken's strike to make contact with the opposing blade in order to safely protect Ken. He does this by keeping his hands high and to his left as he steps and brings the short edge down.
His own target is the left shoulder of his opponent. By striking to the left shoulder, Ken keeps his blade in the line of attack, preventing him from being hit, while simultaneously hitting his opponent. As he finishes the strike, he is in the Ox guard.

Above Shielhau as Video (7 sec. 484KB .wmv format)

Shielhau vs Vertical Cut (22 sec. 1.3 MB .wmv format)

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The Sheitelhau - The Parting Strike
This is another vertical strike, but made with the long edge of the sword against an opponent who strikes toward a low opening (the hips or legs). The cut relies on the fact that a strike to the head has greater reach than a strike to a lower part of the body. It's geometry, folks. Figure it out.

Ken begins in the Roof guard. As his opponent strikes to Ken's lower openings, Ken shuffle steps back slightly, creating some distance. [Note: if we assume the target was his left side, Ken would probably pass back to remove the targeted leg rather than shuffling as he does here.]
He brings the blade down for a vertical strike,keeping his hands high. His target is the top of the head where he will attempt to "part" his opponent's hair (hence the name of the strike, perhaps?).
When finished, Ken is in the Long guard. If he did not hit his mark, he created distance to avoid being struck and now threatens with a devastating thrust.

Above Sheitelhau as Video (5 sec. 394KB .wmv format)

Sheitelhau vs Low Target Cut (10 sec. 0.6 MB .wmv format)

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