sword

Footwork

At advanced level the importance of the on-guard position and the lunge must be emphasised. Footwork is the action which gets the fencer into a suitable position to carry out an attack or to parry, therefore it must be smooth and controlled.

Distances Used

  1. Inside riposting distance; the hit is made without straightening the arm.
  2. Riposting distance ; hit with straight arm.
  3. Half-lunge distance; often hitting a fencer returning to guard.
  4. Lunging distance; lunge can also be done with a deliberate dragging of the back foot to gain distance.
  5. Flèche.
  6. Various combinations of steps, balestras, lunge and flèche.

By using the video tape, it was shown that fencers, were often in such a bad position after a series of steps that they were easily hit. A habit that bad distance introduces, is the continual use of broken time actions. Coaches should train their fencers to use a step back to gain time, and also to make a reflex adjustment of balance. The return to guard is of vital importance as this allows the fencer to undertake a second series of foot actions.

Distance can also be of tactical importance. For example, the fencer could move the back foot close to the front foot on the step forward, thus gaining distance for the lunge. The fencer could move his front foot back, to draw the opponent into a forward preparation, and thus be able to attack at the best possible time. ie. on the opponent's preparation. The sword arm can be placed in various positions to upset the opponent's judgement of distance.

Example Lesson

  1. Extend.
  2. Step and extend.
  3. Step and short lunge.
  4. Lunge with parries and ripostes included.
  5. Two steps and a lunge; the coach attacks any time the pupil is at the wrong distance or is caught off balance.
  6. Lesson includes a great deal of movement; this trains the fencer to appreciate the length of a 14 metre piste and to put this to tactical use.

The Use of the Appel and Balestra

Appel.- Used to lose time i.e. good for broken time. Used to distract the opponent or to check balance.

Balestra- The front foot action is low and fast but not too far forward. The back foot governs the length and speed of the action.

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