Fencing – How to Play?

In case of fencing, techniques are divided into two categories: offensive and defensive. Some techniques are there which can be put in both categories. Certain techniques are known as aggressive techniques and are meant to land touches on the opponent fencer while holding the right of way (for foil and sabre), are called offensive techniques. Other techniques are used to protect against a hit or for defence, are called as defensive techniques.

Offensive Techniques

The offensive techniques used in this game are as follows −

Attack

It is a basic fencing technique and is also called as thrust where a fencer extends his arm to declare attack against the opposition and try to touch the other fencer in valid area. In case of sabre, attacks can be made with a cutting action.

Riposte

It is the attack by the defender after the attacker has attacked and has been parried. After the parry, a defender has some opportunity to attack back and take right of the way.

Feint

It is solely meant for provoking a reaction from the opposing fencer.

Lunge

In this type of attack, a player performs a thrust by slight kicking and extending the front leg. After that he can propel the body forward by back leg.

Beat attack

In this attack the attacker tries to gain the opportunity to hit the target area in case of foil and sabre. In case of epee, the attacker disturbs the intention of the other player and hits the target.

Disengage

Disengage is an attacking technique where the attacker begins attacking from one direction and then suddenly moving the point down in a semicircle to attack from a different direction. It is effective in breaking the defence of the opponent and hitting the target.

Continuation of attack

It is a typical Epee action to make second attack after the first attack is parried, which is mostly achieved by attacking while changing the line of attack.

Remise

It is a typical foil/sabre technique in which the opponent is attacked after the first attack is parried by the opposing fencer. Mostly it is considered as losing right of way and riposte is always scored instead of remise.

Flick

This is a technique which is exclusively for foil fencing, where the attacker has to take advantage of the bending quality of the foil blade by whipping it in such a way that it bends over and strikes the opponent with its point.

Defensive Techniques

The defensive techniques of Fencing are as follows −

Parry

It is a basic defence technique where the fencer has to block the opponent’s weapon while he is attacking or preparing to attack by deflecting the attacker’s blade to hit the valid area(Epee) or prevent him from scoring a right of way(sabre and foil). This is mostly followed by a riposte from the defender.

Circular parry

It is done by twisting the sword in a circular way in order to get a hold of the attacker’s weapon tip and mostly followed in order to deflect a disengage made by the attacker.

Counter attack

A basic fencing technique of attacking your attacker while generally moving back from the oppositions attack direction. It is mostly followed in Epee fencing and is scored against the opponent’s arm.

Point in Line

It is achieved by extending arm and weapon towards the attacker’s target area. In case of foil or sabre, it gives one priority if it is extended before the attacker advances lunges distance away. When meant for a defensive hit, the attacker must disturb the weapon to retake priority. If the attacker fails to disturb it, then it turns in to a counter attack if the attacker could not manage the right of way. In case of Epee as there is no right of way, the defence may score a double touch and earn one hit to each fencers.