Baystate Fencing - Fencing Glossary

Fencing: Glossary

Advance Taking a step towards one's opponent. Forward step of the front foot followed by a forward step of the rear foot.

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.

Attack, Direct Simple offensive action executed in a straight line.

Attack, Indirect Offensive action executed in a line other than the one in which it originated.

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. Is a semi-circular movement of the point with an extension of the arm that moves the point from one line to the opposite line.

Double Advance A succession of two advances with a change of tempo.

Double Retreat A succession of two retreats with a change of tempo.

Engagement Contact between the fencers' blades - often as the prelude to an attack.

En Garde The position taken before fencing begins. Position most favorable for equal readiness of offense, defense, counter-offence and mobility.

Feint A false attack intended to get a defensive reaction from the opposing fencer, thus creating the opportunity for a genuine attack ("feint-disengage attack")

Fleche 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.

Parry, Lateral Parry made by moving the blade in a horizontal motion.

Parry, Circular Parry made by moving the blade in a circular motion.

Retreat Backward step of the rear foot followed by a backward step of the front foot.

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

Line Area of target defined by the relative position of the weapon hand.

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.

Riposte Defender's offensive action executed after a parry. It may be either simple (in one line) or compound (multiple actions).

Recover The return to the en garde position after lunging.

Remise Attacking again immediately after the opponent's parry of an initial 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 Field of play or piste; 14 meters long by 2 meters wide.

Bay State Fencers - 561 Windsor Street, Suite A 401 . Somerville, MA 02143 . 617-591-0101 . info@baystatefencers.com

Advance	Taking a step towards one's opponent. Forward step of the front foot followed by a forward step of the rear foot.
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.
Attack, Direct	Simple offensive action executed in a straight line.
Attack, Indirect	Offensive action executed in a line other than the one in which it originated.
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. Is a semi-circular movement of the point with an extension of the arm that moves the point from one line to the opposite line.
Double Advance	A succession of two advances with a change of tempo.
Double Retreat	A succession of two retreats with a change of tempo.
Engagement	Contact between the fencers' blades - often as the prelude to an attack.
En Garde	The position taken before fencing begins. Position most favorable for equal readiness of offense, defense, counter-offence and mobility.
Feint	A false attack intended to get a defensive reaction from the opposing fencer, thus creating the opportunity for a genuine attack ("feint-disengage attack")
Fleche	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.
Parry, Lateral	Parry made by moving the blade in a horizontal motion.
Parry, Circular	Parry made by moving the blade in a circular motion.
Retreat	Backward step of the rear foot followed by a backward step of the front foot.
Lunge	Most common attack technique, in which the fencer launches themselves at their opponent by pushing off from their back leg (which generally remains stationary).
Line	Area of target defined by the relative position of the weapon hand.
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.
Riposte	Defender's offensive action executed after a parry. It may be either simple (in one line) or compound (multiple actions).
Recover	The return to the en garde position after lunging.
Remise	Attacking again immediately after the opponent's parry of an initial 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	Field of play or piste; 14 meters long by 2 meters wide.