Distance plays a critical role in modern fencing. At its simplest the distance problem is “can I hit the opponent’s target area with my weapon, or do I have to use footwork to change the distance so that I can hit?” Traditionally, this problem is described in terms of short,…
Compound attacks are a traditional staple of fencing. Fencing has become more and more a footwork sport, and less and less dependent on skilled traditional bladework, with blade actions now far more opportunistic and likely to be executed in infighting distance and/or at angles from well outside the target box. …
Last week we examined attacks on preparation, so it would seem that considering the preparation itself might be only fair. Tyshler and Logvin, in the FIE’s Sports Fencing manual for coach training state that preparatory actions are “applied in order to receive immediate information on opponent’s intentions, creation of an distraction…
To talk about attacks on preparation, it is important to understand that there are two completely different forms of fencing on today’s strip. Epee retains the essential character of fencing, that it is a combat with swords – bear with this discussion, we have right of way weapons to address…
One of the ways to get hit in any sword or weapon sport is to be predictable. It is no different in fencing. You do the same thing the same way every time and even the opponent who is completely asleep on his or her feet will wake up and…
Several times a year we have a day in practice where the fencers are asked “what would you like to work on today?” The question is usually followed by people looking in every direction except at the trainer, shuffling their feet, and staying resolutely silent until they cannot stand it…
Over the past several blog posts we have discussed how to defeat the opponent’s actions, how to go for one more exchange, and how to recognize what the opponent is doing. Today, we are going to add one more item to the mix – what is possible? There are a…
The postings in the past two blogs have looked at simple tactical choices to defeat the attack and the defense. But what happens when the defeat is in turn defeated? Although this seems like one too many defeats, lets look at the two cases: (1) you attack, and the opponent…
In last week’s blog we discussed how to defeat an attack, and suggested four possible approaches. But defeating an attack and riposting or stop hitting does not guarantee you the score. You still have to get by the opponent’s defense to land. And the same problem confronts you if you…
You are fencing a bout, and your opponent attacks you. There is one way to deal with this – you parry and riposte. Right? And you run into his second intention parry and first counterriposte to become just another V on his line on the score sheet. But, but, but…