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Article #13: Footwork in fencing

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In a fencing bout, a great deal depends backwards, the procedure is reversed. The
on being in the right place at the right order in which the feet are moved is
time. Fencers are constantly manoeuvring important, and, if the fencer gets it
in and out of each other's range, wrong, he may end up with a dangerously
accelerating, decelerating, changing narrow and unbalanced stance half way
directions and so on. All this has to be through the step. Having said that, like
done with minimum effort and maximum all rules, this one can sometimes be
grace, which makes footwork arguably the broken to great effect.
most important aspect of a fencer's The most common way of delivering an
training regime. In fact, in the first attack in fencing is the lunge, where the
half of the 20th century it was common fencer kicks out with his front foot and
practice to put fencers through six rapidly straightens his back leg. This
months to a year of footwork before they maneuver has a number of advantages: it
were ever allowed to hold a sword. (For is faster than a step, it allows the
better or for worse, this practice has fencer to keep his own body as far away
now been largely abandoned.) Modern from the opponent as is possible without
fencing tends to be quite linear. To some losing balance, and it is comparatively
extent this may be dictated by the easy to return into the fencing stance.
practicalities of fitting the maximum On the downside, the lunge puts the
number of fencers into a finite size gym fencer in a comparatively static
and hooking them up to the electronic position, and any further movement
scoring apparatus. The main reason, backwards or forwards, while by no means
however, is that the weapons are light impossible, does require extra effort.
and easy to redirect. Sideways movement, Sometimes fencers do take the more
which was a common defense against an "natural" kind of steps steps, where the
attack with a comparatively unwieldy back foot passes the front foot.
weapon like the rapier, is now a pretty These are usually referred to as
unreliable tactic against a competent cross-steps. While cross-steps do have
opponent. These days, defense by footwork the advantage of range and speed, they
usually takes the shape of moving either put a fencer in an awkward and frequently
directly away from your opponent (out of unbalanced position mid-step, which is
his range) or directly towards him why experienced fencers tend to use them
(making the attack "overshoot"). sparingly. A somewhat exaggerated version
The way fencers stand and move often of the cross-step, sometimes used to
appears artificial to a novice, but it deliver an attack in foil or épée, is
has evolved over centuries of trial and the fleche ("arrow" in French). In the
error and is, in fact, extremely fléche, the fencer leans forward and
pragmatic. The most basic requirement is takes a long running cross-step,
to face your opponent in such a way that generating most of the thrust with his
your weapon offers you maximal protection front leg. Ideally, the hit delivered
and your opponent maximal threat. with a fléche should arrive as or just
Consequently fencers tend to stand before the fencer's front foot hits the
somewhat side-on to the principal ground. In sabre cross-steps have been
direction of movement (the fencing line), prohibited since the 1990s, because they
leading with the weapon side (right for a make for very boring fencing. In a real
right-hander, left for a left-hander). In fight (one involving sharp weapons), a
foil and épée this has the added running attack would be an extremely
advantage of presenting the opponent with risky thing to try: there is always the
a sloping target surface, making it more possibility of a last-minute
difficult for him to land a sound hit. counterattack with both fencers ending up
The second most important requirement is dead. Because of the priority rules (and
to maintain balance and ease of movement. the fact that the weapons are blunt),
In the fencing stance the feet are a this issue does not come up in
shoulderwidth or more apart giving a wide competitive sabre. Given the large
base. They are also placed at right scoring surface (the entire blade), a
angles to one another: the front foot well delivered running attack is nigh
points along the fencing line, and the impossible to defend against — it is
back foot perpendicular to it. impossible to move backwards fast enough.
This allows the fencer to "shuffle" Variations and portions of the above
backwards and forwards, which is the most movements can also be used by themselves.
common mode of movement (more about that For example, a check-step forward is
in the next paragraph). performed by moving the back foot as in a
Finally, the knees are well bent and the retreat, then performing an entire
centre of gravity is kept mid way between advance. This maneuver can trick your
the heels. The fencer is now in a opponent into thinking that you are
position where he is well balanced, able retreating, when in reality you are about
to use his leg muscles to generate rapid to close distance.
bursts of speed and change directions Other footwork actions include the appel
with comparative ease. (French for "call"), which is a stomp
As was already mentioned, fencers tend to designed to upset the opponent's
move with series of "shuffling" steps, perception of rhythm, and the ballestra,
which allow them to stay in the fencing which is a "hopping" step commonly used
stance. In order to move forwards, the as a preparation for attacks (the back
fencer picks up his front foot, puts it foot leaves the ground, while the front
down a few inches ahead of its original foot is still in mid-air; both feet come
position, then picks up his back foot and down at the same time).
moves it by the same amount. To move






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