It ain't necessarily so

Some exceptions to beginner's class "rules" are stated below:

1. Don't drag the back foot on the lunge.
   except if you require the extra distance when launching a first intention attack
   however this increases the temptation to overlunge, makes recovery more difficult, and also increases the likelyhood of being off-balance and vunerable.
2. When moving backwards, start by reaching back with the back foot.
   except sometimes moving the back foot can telegraph your intention, therefore a slight forward movement (foot or chest) prior to moving backwards can be a good way to increase distance
3. Low line parries protect the lower half of the body.
   except if the swordarm is raised above the shoulder (e.g. when ducking) when the upper body may also covered.
4. To make a parry of septime, move the arm down and across from the on guard position.
   except this assumes we are on guard in sixte, and ignores the fact that parries maybe displaced up, down or wider as necessary (e.g. lifted septime.)
   however when learning the parry more emphasis is placed on small and controlled blade movements than variety in the parry.
5. In sabre the target is the whole body above the waist.
   except the sword hand is no longer target.
6. Always ensure that the front foot and ankle are perpendicular when lunging
   except knee slightly beyond ankle will allow for greater flexibility of response e.g. recovery, reprise by flèche on a short to medium lunge.
   however on a full lunge, mispositioning of the leg will delay recovery.
7. If your opponent has right of way, you must parry before you hit.
   except if you are stop hitting or able to displace target
   however your hit must land a full period of fencing time before the opponent, and ideally your opponent hit should never land.
8. The parry on the inside high line is called quarte.
   except when it is pronated when it is called quinte.
9. When coming on guard in sixte, the swordarm should be directly over the leading leg.
   except when fencing a left hander when the sword arm must be laterally displaced to cover an alternate angle of attack.
10. When beating the blade, control the sword with the rear fingers (aides) rather than a wrist action.
    except when beating other sides of the blade, (e.g. beat neuvième) or if you are deliberately beating with a stronger action
    however this can telegraph the proposed action if the fencer is not careful.