| The lunge is one of the axioms of the attack, and | | | | the proper extension. |
| one of the most vital to perfect. The lunge is the | | | | 1. Do NOT overextend. As the lunge is intended |
| basic technique used to extend an attack quickly | | | | to extend the distance of an attack, the |
| and effectively, while still maintaining the ability to | | | | temptation lies in kicking your self out so far you |
| control a retreat (in the instance of failure.) The | | | | are practically doing the splits. This, of course, is |
| attacking portion of the lunge is relatively simple, | | | | impossible to recover from. You may do this if |
| in-and-of itself. However, the attacking portion | | | | you like, but DO NOT miss the point. When the |
| sets the stage for the recovery, which is the | | | | lunge is completed (before recovery) the thigh |
| difficult portion. | | | | should be parallel to the ground, the front knee at |
| The lunge is intended to quickly extend the reach | | | | a 90 degree angle and the knee directly over the |
| of a fencer by thrusting the entire body forward | | | | toes (which should be facing directly towards the |
| to close the distance between fencers. We have | | | | opponent.) The back leg should be straight. |
| discussed that the basic attack is the extension | | | | Throwing your self too far forward will make it |
| of the arm until straight. This is effective, yet | | | | slow and difficult to recover, making you an easy |
| relatively easy to foil. Simply stay out of the | | | | target. |
| other's player's arm reach. | | | | 2. Leave the rear foot planted. The back foot is |
| The lunge follows the completed extension of the | | | | your anchor and the pulling action of the rear leg |
| arm, by throwing the body forward in a single | | | | is vital to bring yourself upright again. Without solid |
| large step. The attacking fencer thus gains | | | | contact with the ground, you will not be able to |
| another good 2 or 3 feet on his/her attack. This, | | | | pull back. The rear foot should still be in its 90 |
| when done quickly and cleanly, can close the | | | | degree position to the front foot (just like when |
| distance with enough surprise to win the point. | | | | On Guard.) Through out the entire lunge and |
| The difficulty of the lunge lies not in its success, | | | | recovery, the entire sole of the foot should |
| but in its failure. The fencer who has just | | | | remain in contact with the ground. |
| completed a lunge is in an extremely vulnerable | | | | As you will find, the does require an unusual turn |
| position. | | | | to the ankle. Start stretching those muscles now. |
| Although defendable, it is nearly impossible to | | | | You will need them. |
| fence when stuck in a lunged position. The real | | | | 3. The arm. This is perhaps the most important |
| challenge of the lunge is making a quick, balanced | | | | part, however it is the rear arm not the forward |
| and clean recovery back to the basic fencing | | | | arm of which we speak. The rear arm, normally |
| stance after the lunge is completed. | | | | held behind the head in a curl, is unfurled behind |
| From the basic fencing the stance, the lunge is | | | | the fencer as he/she lunges. This creates the |
| started as a simple attack with the arm thrust | | | | effect of the cat's tail. Helping the body throw |
| forward to the intended area until straight. With | | | | forward (by its added inertia), helping bring the |
| the lunge however, the forward motion of the | | | | body back up (for the sane reason), and providing |
| arm is continued by thrusting the body forward. | | | | ballast all the way through. The rear arm should |
| After the arm is straight in an attack, the | | | | be unfurled rapidly to the rear until it is parallel |
| forward leg kicks out until the knee is straight. | | | | with the rear leg (when both are straight) and the |
| This does not mean kicking the leg up into a | | | | palm should be up. As you are throwing the rear |
| goose-step, but simply kicking the foot forward | | | | arm back, you should invision pushing forward |
| while keeping the thigh and hip immobile. | | | | against an invisible brick wall. This WILL increase |
| The back leg is now straightened in such a | | | | the forward motion of the attack. |
| manner that the body is thrust forward toward | | | | Graphic of a picture perfect lunge (thanks to the |
| the opponent. This (of course) has to be done | | | | USFA) A graphic of a picture perfect lunge |
| while the forward leg is still in the air. This | | | | (compliments of the USFA logo.) Note that the |
| continues the straight attacking arm towards the | | | | back foot is still flat to the floor and is 90 degrees |
| opponent another 2 or 3 feet. | | | | to the forward foot. |
| While still moving forward, the front foot now | | | | When recovering, the rear arm should be rapidly |
| lands (heel first, toes rolling to the floor) in such a | | | | returned to the behind the head position to |
| manner that the front leg is straight, and the back | | | | provide ballast. Invision you are grabbing an iron |
| leg is nearly straight (but not quite. We will see | | | | bar anchored into this imaginary brick wall and are |
| why in a moment.) After the front foot lands, the | | | | using it to pull your self upright. Again, this will |
| rear leg continues to push forward until | | | | increase the speed of the recovery. |
| completely straight. As the front foot is immobile | | | | Throughout the lunge the arm will provide front to |
| now, the front knee bends until the knee is | | | | rear and side to side balance to keep the attack |
| directly over the toes. The front leg is a 90 | | | | on target. |
| degree angle at the knee, and the rear leg is | | | | 4. The attacking arm. The attacking arm is the |
| completely straight. The arm is straight and | | | | first part of the attack to move forward, and the |
| forward completing the attack to the target area. | | | | last to recover. When attacking, the quickest part |
| Good however rear arm should be parallel to rear | | | | of the attack comes from the thrust of the arm. |
| leg. | | | | This actually applies to all attacks. |
| Note: This image shows a pretty good lunge, | | | | Always start attacks with the point. |
| however for all weapons the rear arm should | | | | Nothing moves until the point has started its way |
| have been thrust back, parallel with the rear leg | | | | towards the target area. This will help avoid |
| and the forward arm should be absolutely straight | | | | telegraphing of the attack, and add speed. I have |
| to get the greatest possible reach and to maintain | | | | always told students to imagine the sword is an |
| the right of way. When done correctly, the attack | | | | arrow, which is magically drawn to the target of |
| is swift and beautiful. | | | | the opponent. This arrow has suddenly launched |
| What happens if you do a beautiful, perfect lunge, | | | | itself towards your opponent (much to your |
| close the distance to the opponent and miss. Hard | | | | surprise) and you are lunging after it simply to |
| thought to swallow, but it does happen. | | | | maintain your hold of the sword. This will amaze |
| Unfortunately, the lunge is a terrible position to | | | | you in the speed it adds to the attack. |
| defend from. You need to get back to a fighting | | | | After the lunge is completed, and you are |
| stance, quickly, before your opponent can riposte'. | | | | recovering, the arm remains straight to continue |
| Here lies the difficulty: committing yourself to the | | | | threatening the opponent. In a full lunge you are |
| lunge while leaving yourself the ability to recover. | | | | unable to retreat, at a disadvantage to even |
| Recovery is relatively simply in its purest form. | | | | parry, and could not add motion to the attack |
| Reverse the lunge. | | | | easily. The last thing we want is for the opposing |
| 1. Keeping the arm straight in an offensive position | | | | fencer to close the distance thus exacerbating |
| (this helps cover you as you are vulnerable) kick | | | | the situation. The extended point keeps the |
| the body backwards with the front foot, | | | | opponent at bay until a recovery can be |
| beginning the process of standing back upright. | | | | executed. |
| 2. As you kick off with the front foot, pull your | | | | Although, there is no guarantee the extended arm |
| body back to the upright position with the rear | | | | will concern the opponent, I will guarantee |
| foot. As you come to the stance again, the front | | | | removing the extended arm will encourage him |
| foot will need to be peeled off the ground and | | | | her. |
| brought back to the shoulder width position. This | | | | 5. Keep the head up and look at your opponent. |
| is done just like a regular step to the rear. I.E. | | | | There is a tendency to drop the head in a lunge. |
| Peel, step back, plant the heel, roll the toes back | | | | You can't hit what you can't see. Simple enough. |
| down. | | | | 6. Speed, speed, speed. Drill the lunge everyday. |
| 3. After arising to the regular fencing stance, | | | | A slow lunge is more worthless than no attack at |
| re-center yourself and then withdraw the arm to | | | | all. |
| the On Guard position. And here we are ready to | | | | We have discussed the basic lunge, of which |
| continue fighting. | | | | there are countless variations. We will explore all |
| Although simple, without the proper preparation | | | | of these in time, however for now drill, perfect |
| during the attacking portion of the lunge, the | | | | and study. |
| recovery will be impossible. Here are the tips for | | | | The rewards will be self evident. |