Fencing is a complicated sport. There is a lot to know – the current United States edition of the Rule Book runs to 210 pages, the Athlete’s Handbook another 143. Surely we should know all those rules and procedures? The history of the sport is long and rich. Shouldn’t we…
Not every attack arrives on target as a hit. We will dispense with the attacks that land off target in foil for this conversation. However, let’s look at the attack that is (1) parried by blade or (2) parried by distance (today commonly called a distance pull, although theoretically it…
Sorry to start out this post with higher order mathematics, but a good understanding of basic grade school math and of equally basic geometry goes a long way toward understanding fencing. I hope everyone understands the basic equation 1 + 1 = 2. In everyday life that is pretty much…
There is a whole class of attacking actions termed “Takings of the Blade.” This suggests that you use your blade to take control of the opponent’s blade. European usage is to term these actions as “Transports.” I vacillate back and forth between the two terms because both are accurate descriptions…
Recently, in conversation with my colleague, Maitre Gil Pezza, I was introduced to the idea of lost time. It reminded me that I have long had an interest in real time in fencing and in the relationship between efficient use of time and the ability to hit. So in this…
When we start to move beyond the very most basic actions to develop the ability to prepare our attacks, the beat becomes an important tool. To understand the beat, we must understand the whole idea of preparation. Unfortunately, preparation as a technique, has become muddled by the rules of the…
Before we talk about the tactics of the remise, a review of the context and technique is important. The remise is one of three renewals of the attack commonly taught in all three weapons: (1) Remise – a renewal of the attack in the same line. (2) Redoublement – a…
So there you are on the strip. It is a good day in the Salle except for one thing … you parry-riposte combination isn’t working. Or more correctly it is working just often enough to keep you using it and isn’t working just often enough to keep you losing touches.…
If you ask the average beginner or intermediate fencer what the purpose of a parry is, the standard reply is “to prevent the opponent’s attack landing as a hit.” From time to time you will hear “so I will get the right of way.” At various times in my life,…
Nothing is simpler than the straight thrust, right? You just stick you arm out and hit the other fencer. No great thought, no sophistication, you go fast at the right moment and you are a touch richer and closer to being a fencing hero (with apologies to the YouTube series…