How to move in fencing

As we discussed in the previous lessons, thethe toes of the front foot off floor, kick the foot
fencing stance is intregal to the success of theforward from the knee (without lifting the knee
fencer. Placing the body in the best compromiseor the hip) until the leg is nearly straight, plant the
between comfort and effectiveness is essentialheel again (which causes the body to move
for minimizing the target area while allowing forforward) and then allow the toes to roll back
freedom to advance and retreat. It is thedown to the floor. The rear foot should be lifted
advance and retreat, which we are going toat the knee, brought forward until the feet are
discuss today.again about shoulder width apart and planted
Movement up and down the strip is what controlsfirmly back to the ground with a light stomp. You
the bout. We talked in the last lesson aboutshould end in exactly the same position you were
fencing distance. Fencing distance is the optimalin before the step, one step further down the
distance a fencer attempts to maintain from hisstrip. This seems like a difficult and detailed way
her opponent, where they are close enough toto say “take a step”,
launch a successful attack, and yet far enoughhowever this process is more important than it
away to defend or outdistance an opposingseems.
attack. This distance usually falls around one and aStance (Slightly too far forward.) The Step (Note
half blade lengths from the opponent and thethat shoulders remain level throughout step.) One
obvious fallacy of it should jump immediately toof the goals to advancing and retreating is to
mind. With all but the most mis-matched fencersmaintain as much solid contact with the ground
(in the area of height and reach) once a fencerfor as long as possible. A primary factor in the
has moved close enough to attack, he/she hasconstant jockeying for position is how suddenly
also moved close enough to be attacked. So howthe need to advance can turn into the need for
does one maintain “fencingretreat. Being caught with one foot off the
distance?” The answer is dynamically,ground, off balance, when your opponent
by moving into and out of attack distance assuddenly lunges makes it difficult to distance
your strategy requires.yourself from the attack forcing you to
This constant changing of the distance, forwardcompletely depend on the parry. If the parry fails,
and back is, perhaps, the greatest single offensiveyou lose. Regardless of the success of the parry,
and defensive tool. Each fencer attempts toa riposte' would be difficult without retreating.
maintain distance to his or her advantage whileThis step allows for the foot to be off the ground
maintaining sync with their strategy’sfor the minimum amount of time. The kicking
timing. A properly timed advance will add speedforward motion holds a secret as well. Next time
and surprise to an attack, whereas anyou are at the mall, watch how people walk. The
appropriately timed retreat will devastate the bestrelaxed walking we do in our day-to-day errands
executed counter attack by simply causing it tois really more of a controlled fall. We thrust our
fall short of the target.weight forward, and catch ourselves in a sort of
If any of you have taken the opportunity to visitloping action.
the “Fencing Footage” siteThis is terrible for fencing on two levels. First, if
listed with the links, you will see that movement isduring the falling forward portion of the step your
the vital part of attack and defense. You will alsoopponent, again, lunges you are left with little
see on this site, unfortunately, people advancingoption as well as being completely off balance.
and retreating in manners completelyThis can be enough to ruin a retreat and a parry.
contradictory to this article, which stands toSecond, the loping motion brings your target off
emphasize the two laws of any athleticdefense from your arm. Each bounce up opens
training… 1. Master proper form first.your lower torso to attack and each bounce
2. Do whatever it takes to score the point (withindown opens the upper torso. As it is relatively
the rules of the game and sportsmanship)easy to predict which part of the body will open
including ignoring rule number one.up as you are loping down into the step, it
The moral of these rules are, of course, thatcreates a perfect opportunity for an attack.
without proper form it is impossible to generateThe step we have created here will keep the
the foundation from which one may takebody level and balanced. Although, it is necessary
‘artistic license.’ The basics ofto come slightly off balance, simply to remove
advancing and retreating in a controlled, balancedthe forward foot from the floor, the motion is
manner is key to controlling your timing, andsubtle, fast and low which allows for balance to be
ruining the timing of your opponent.immediately recovered the instant the forward
When I was instructing, I preferred to have myfoot is again dropped to the floor regardless of at
students drill in the advance and retreat forwhat point during the step it is dropped. This
weeks before even allowing them a foil.allows for an advance to be reversed instantly
As we recall, the basic stance is obtained asinto a retreat (and vice versa again) if necessary.
follows… 1. Stand straight, facing forward,Remember, the step is performed from the
with both feet together at the heels.knees and not the hip as when walking normally.
2. Rotate the left foot (if you are right-handed.The peeling of the foot off the floor, and the
Reverse this if you are left-handed) to arolling return are important as well, however
90-degree position relative to the right foot. Themostly for safety. As you master the advance
heels should still be touching.and the retreat, you will begin moving up and
3. With the right, or forward foot, step forwarddown the length of the strip at surprising speeds.
until the feet are about shoulder width apart. ThisThis peeling is vital to keeping the toe from
change will automatically turn the body to the side.inadvertently catching the floor. At these speeds,
The feet are still at right angles.and in the middle of a bout, there is nothing more
4. Bend at the knees equally (as if you werefrustrating and dangerous than a full speed face
squatting down), until the knees are directly aboveplant. Not to mention that if the fall is onto your
the toes. This is where the really sore musclesopponent, you will lose the point and perhaps the
come from, but is the imperative part of thebout.
stance from which the movement is generated.The retreat is very similar, however reversed. To
Now, the compromise. Your body should havestep back, the rear foot is lifted slightly at the
naturally turned to face in the direction the rearknee (again there should be little or no raise in the
foot is pointing. This turn slims your target fromhip) kicked back and placed to the ground again.
the view of your opponent, making it harder toThe body is then pulled back by the rear foot as
hit. You wish to turn as much as possiblethe front foot is “peeled, placed and
(slimming the target as much as possible) withoutrolled” as before and then balance is
the stance becoming awkward, or causing thecentered between both feet again. The front foot
forward knee to move off-line from over theshould be peeled from the toe, placed on the heel
toe. The amount of this turn will vary fromand rolled to the toe just as in the
competitor to competitor. You will need toadvance…not reversed. One of the
experiment to find your position. At this point,secrets to the rear step (as well as the last part
your body should be balanced between your feetof the advance step) is that the rear foot should
such that a straight line drawn from the tip ofbe lifted as a single unit and placed as a single unit,
your nose, through the center of the groin, will fallwith almost a stomp. You do not want to lift
exactly equidistant between your feet. Keep theeither the toes or heel first on the rear foot, but
back straight and avoid hunching or sticking therather the entire foot. The rear foot is your
buttocks out.anchor. It is where the strength and push for
5. With the knees bent and the body turned, turnyour attacks come from and it is the pull which
your face to look at your opponent and raiseallows for a quick retreat and recovery from
your forward (or sword) arm towards yourlunges.
opponent. The arm will remain bent at the elbowThis foot needs to be as firmly attached to the
and straight at the wrist, and should form aground, and as often, as possible.
90-degree angle at the elbow. The elbow shouldThat is simply (and I DO use the term loosely)
be about one fist’s length from thethe whole of it. What is hard is the mastery.
body and the hand (or point of the blade) shouldAside from the tired, shaky feeling most of you
be pointing at the eyes of the opponent.are probably having in your thigh muscles right
6. The rear arm’s position will varynow (this is fantastic for the glutes, by the way)
depending on the weapon, however the basicthe step must be practiced religiously to maintain
stance (based on foil) will curl up behind the headspeed, balance, anchor and smoothness. The body
for balance. To do this, point the rear arm exactlymust not bounce when steps, forward or back,
away from the opponent, level with the shoulder.are taken. One of the drills I have my students
Bend the arm at the elbow so there is apractice is to fill a bowl of water and carry it in
90-degree bend and then allow the hand to fallthe forward hand instead of a sword.
relaxed. This relaxation is also necessary forThe student then advances to the end of the
balance and speed.strip, and retreats to the other end of the strip
This basic stance provides an easily defendablewithout spilling the water and, eventually, without
position with a minimum of target showing, opensallowing it to ripple. The graduation from this
the lungs for good respiration and allows for aexercise is to be able to advance and retreat at
relaxed position to advance and retreat. Thefull speed with the water brimming above the
balance should be dead center between the feet,edge of the bowl and not spill a drop. Just as a
with weight equally on both feet.word of encouragement, the
If this feels uncomfortable, wait till we start“graduation” from this drill
moving. Most beginning fencers discover musclesusually takes 15 or twenty years. Try it. At
they never knew existed.minimum your will get the best leg workout of
The forward movement is relatively simple. Peelyour life.