Fencing Terminology, Positions, Attacks and Rules

Basic Terminology and Basic Position

Basic terminology and basic position after position. Legs extended and gauntlets. S placed perpendicular to the feet; front foot advancing, armed wing.

Guideline

Guideline: An imaginary line joining the two feet. Forward displacement (moving up to the front):

• 1) Raise the front foot toe (lift the front foot toe) and place it where the sole was previously.
• 2) Second support: the tip (toe) is lifted coinciding with the back foot support.

Background and March

Background: explosive displacement. It is linked to the march; it consists of launching strongly with the front leg. The delayed version is when the extension is performed forcefully after a slight delay.

March and background: Distances used are not large for attack. The action consists of arm extension coinciding with the second tempo of the gait; the delayed foot support coincides with the takeoff of the front foot.

Guards

Guards:

• 1st: Protects the left side. The weapon tip height is adjusted by rotating the hip and turning the blade inward.
• 2nd: Right-out (external) guard, protecting the right-outside line.
• 3rd: Protects the right side. The forward tip and height are set by the right hand position.
• 4th: Internal 4th — a guarding position inward.
• 5th: Left-high: protects the shoulders, head and lines. The blade is almost to the ground, parallel to the front foot, with the head held high; the tip and forearm are perpendicular to the ground.

Stake

Stake: To voluntarily uncover a line, in order to provoke a reaction or to pull the opponent to a specific, determined target line.

Offensive Actions

Actions ofensivas:

• Attack: An offensive action. It is executed by extending the pointing arm toward a valid target and usually precedes the lunge or the triggering flexion. An attack can be direct or indirect.
• Answer (Reply): An action by the defender when the offensive attack is stopped.
• Counter-response (Contrarrespuesta): An offensive action that stops the initial attack.
• Accept: Part of the exchange where one action is accepted by the opponent (the terms indicate who initiates or ceases the offensive action).

Bouts and Start-Guard

Bouts: Start-guard is in the center of the piste. The distance between the two fencers is such that the en garde position (extended arm, blades in line) can be assumed.

Protocol for Combat

Protocol: On the command "en garde" the fencers place themselves in en garde, immobile. The referee then asks "Ready?" After the affirmative response, the referee gives the signal to start (commonly "Advance" or "Allez"). On the stop command ("Halt" or equivalent) no fencer may move.

Headgear and Valid Touches

Headdresses (headgear): Valid head touches: when the mask surface is struck and the valid surface registers proper contact. A touch is invalid when it is made on non-valid surfaces, or when it is merely a ricochet or whiplash without proper registration. Simultaneous touch: when both fencers land a touch at the same time; points may be awarded to both fencers if both hits register simultaneously. Warning: stepping off the piste with a foot results in a penalty or warning.

Resumption After Off-Piste

Resumed: After a touch that forces a fencer off the piste, and after any required warning, the fencers are placed at the appropriate restarted positions (typically one meter back) before resuming.

Judging and Scoring

Punctuation: The president has a weighted vote (1.5) in jury decisions, and each consultant has one vote each. (There are two consultants.)

Competition Format

Competition: Can be conducted individually.