Variations on a theme - the back lever throw

The "back lever" is one of the most common throws portrayed in historical European martial arts manuals. Essentially, it is a leverage technique in which the thrower applies pressure with his arm, hand, elbow, weapon, etc. to the opponent's face, throat, jaw or upper chest. Simultaneously, the thrower advances or passes his lead leg behind that of the opponent., causing him  trip backwards over the thrower's thigh, knee or shin.

The "hard" application of the back lever employs muscular force, speed and impact, as the opponent may be struck across the upper body target and simultaneously swept from behind. The "soft" version requires the defender to enter fully and displace the opponent's centre of gravity with his own, and results in a "lift and drop" type throwing action. Some variations combine elements of both. Careful study of the illustrations, especially noting the various points of contact, distance between the fighters, and apparent direction of momentum, will usually clarify which version is being advocated.

In training, always remember to work slowly and to support your partner. It is strongly recommended that one should be confident in breakfalling before practicing the back lever variants .

The following images have been selected to demonstrate a diverse range of back lever throws from combat manuals spanning three centuries of European history and several different countries. Please note that for purposes of comparison and clarity, some of the original images have been digitally "flipped" so that the defender (demonstrating the back lever variant) is always shown on the left of the picture.

Opera Nova, 1531

A classic back lever as taught by Achille Marozzo. In this case, the throw is used as a defense against a dagger attack. Having evaded or warded the dagger, the thrower traps the opponent's right wrist. He may also have taken the opportunity to strike the opponent's face with his left hand as he sets up for the throw.

Opera Nova, 1531

Another application of the back lever against an opponent wielding a dagger. In this case, as the attacker grabs the defender's jacket and threatens to stab, the defender traps the attacker's extended right wrist and may also be checking the opponent's left arm at the shoulder.

Sienze e Pratica d'Arme, 1606

The thrower has either evaded or warded the opponent's thrust and advanced or passed his left foot outside and behind the opponent's right foot. Simultaneously, he strikes/presses the opponent's throat with his left forearm and the blade of his left hand, effectively controlling his balance and exposing him to the thrust as shown.

La Lange, 1664

Almost certainly based directly upon the above illustration, with two interesting changes - note the footwork diagram demonstrating that the back lever/rapier thrust has been entered as a passing step rather than an advance, and also that the fighter strikes his opponent across the chest with a closed fist/forearm rather than chopping to the throat.

Grundliche Beschreibung, 1570

A series of two variations on the back lever throw. . Each pair demonstrates a stage of a lever throw in which the thrower uses his inner left forearm to press upwards beneath the opponent's jaw, and hooks the opponent's advanced right leg from the outside. It is not clear whether the thrower has advanced or passed forward to gain the best leverage position, but note that he has clearly "captured" his opponent's centre of balance and replaced it with his own.

Filippo Vadi, 1512

Possibly the precursor to the Marozzo version?

Solothurner Fechtbuch, 1423

Another example of the leg-pickup to assist the back lever. Note that the defender has hooked his opponent's leg from the outside. The powerful downward pressing action against the chest, combined with a scooping upward action against the leg as the thrower moves into position, is clearly shown.

Talhoffer's Fechtbuch, 1443

The defender uses the juncture of his spear and left outside forearm to effect to back lever against his opponent's neck. Note that he has also deflected or bound his opponent's spear upwards and outwards.

Talhoffer's' Fechtbuch, 1467

A complex dolchfechten (dagger combat) variation, in which the defender has trapped both the opponent's hands and presses with his own dagger and forearm against the opponent's upper chest. Note again the deep step behind and outside the opponent's lead leg to set up the throw.

Talhoffer's Fechtbuch, 1467

In this variation, the defender uses his right hand to press beneath the opponent's jaw while his left hand hooks around the opponent's waist. This is another use of the back lever as a counter-throw against an attempted headlock, overhip or similar.

Talhoffer's Fechtbuch, 1467

A ringen am schwert (sword grappling) technique in which the defender, having deflected or wound aside his opponent's attack, enters as usual and uses the pommel and hilt of his sword to apply the requisite downward/outward pressure against the opponent's neck. In this case, the throw would probably be more of a "winding" circular action, dropping the opponent to the thrower's right, than an upward/outward "lift and drop".

Flos Duellatorum, 1410

The back lever as part of a continuous sequence, flowing with the opponent's resistance.. Note that the defender has seized the attacker's lead (right) leg from the inside angle. This is most effective if it happens immediately after the head pressure, rather than before.

Flos Duellatorum, 1410

A Giocco Stretto (close-range swordplay) application of the back lever. The defender has trapped the opponent's sword beneath his own and extends his right arm across the opponent's neck/jaw area to initiate the throw. Note that he appears to be half-way through a passing or advancing step with his right foot.

Flos Duellatorum, 1410

The back lever applied as a counterattack against an opponent using a "side hug" attack or attempting a hip throw.

Duerer's Fechtbuch (unpublished) 1512

A typically elegant version of the back lever from the pencil of Albrecht Duerer. The idea of entering fully and "capturing" the opponent's balance by replacing his centre of gravity with one's own is particularly clear in this illustration. Note that the defender has trapped both of the opponent's arms with his own left arm..

Duerer's Fechtbuch (unpublished) 1512

In this version, the defender has trapped his opponent's right hand. This may be another counter-throw against the opponent's attempted hip-toss. Again, the defender is shown entering fully and displacing his opponent's centre of gravity.

Traite des Armes, c. 1600

The defender parries and/or presses his opponent's rapier downward and outward and captures his balance as shown. The distance between the combatants suggests that this would be a percussive strike and sweep, rather than a lifting throw..

PAGE 2 - Arte dell'Abbracciare unarmed defense sequence #1

PAGE 3 - Arte dell'Abbracciare unarmed defense sequence #2

PAGE 4 - Arte della Daga unarmed defense sequence against the thrusting dagger

PAGE 5 - Variations on a theme: twenty versions of the "back lever" throw from diverse historical sources