Advance

Taking a step toward one’s opponent.

Attack

Movement or series of movements by which a fencer tries to score a point. In foil and saber, the fencer who attacks first acquires the “right-of-way.” In order to execute a attack properly (i.e., one that the referee will acknowledge), the fencer’s hand must be clearly extending towards their opponent’s valid target in a threatening manner.

Beat

Sharp tap on the opponent’s blade to initiate an attack or provoke a reaction.

Disengage

Evasive action in which the fencer avoids the opponent’s attempt to take their blade.

Engagement

Contact between the fencers’ blades—often as the prelude to an attack.

En Garde

Position taken before fencing commences.

Feint

Explosive, running attack (foil and epee only).

Flunge

Action unique to saber—a combination of a lunge and a fleche. Evolved recently after the FIE modified saber rules in 1992 to prohibit running attacks.

Guard

Part of the weapon between the blade and handle; protects the hand (also: “bell-guard”).

Parry, Counter-Parry

Defensive action in which a fencer blocks his opponent’s blade.

Lunge

Most common attacking technique, in which the fencer launches themselves at their opponent by pushing off from their back leg (which generally remains stationary).

Opposition

“Thrust with Opposition”—To simultaneously deflect the opponent’s point with one’s guard while making an attack of one’s own. Commonly used in epee to avoid a double touch.

Piste

French term for the fencing strip.

Point-in-Line

Action in which the fencer, who is generally out of attacking range, points their weapon at their opponent with their arm fully extended. A fencer who establishes a point in line has right of way, and their opponent cannot attack until they remove the blade from line by executing a beat.

Recover

The return to the en guarde position after lunging.

Remise

Attacking again immediately after the opponent’s parry of an initial attack.

Riposte

Defender’s offensive action immediately after parrying their opponent’s attack.

Second Intention

A tactic in which a fencer executes a convincing, yet false, action in hopes of drawing a true, committed reaction from their opponent.

Stop Hit, Stop Cut (saber)

A counter-action made at the moment of an opponent’s hesitation, feint, or poorly executed attack. To be awarded the point, the fencer attempting a stop hit must clearly catch their opponent’s tempo. Hence, if their Stop Hit is not “in time,” the referee may award the touch to their attacker.

Strip

Fencing area, 14 meters long by 2 meters wide.

 

Written by: United States Fencing Association