Fencing Tactics For Beginners

Fencing is a high-energy sport with fast actions and a high degree of movement, similar to sports like tennis and boxing. If you're new to fencing, it's best to wear athletic shoes and sweat pants, as it involves a lot of movement. During a class, you'll usually work on bladework, footwork, and target drills. You'll also do bouting, which is when you'll compete against another student.No right-of-way rules in epee
The right-of-way rule is the cornerstone of scoring in foil and saber bouts. This rule determines which fencer gets a point when two touches occur simultaneously. The idea behind this rule is that the fencer who initiates the attack will score points, and the fencer who parries the opponent's attack will lose a point. In epee fencing, however, there are no right-of-way rules. As a result, this makes a bout more unpredictable and faster-paced.Epee fencing is the same as sabre fencing, but there are some differences. For one, the target area of the sabre is much smaller than in epee fencing. In sabre fencing, a touch is scored with the tip of the weapon; in epee fencing, it's the entire body. In epee fencing, there are no right-of-way rules, meaning that both weapons must be hit first.The epee is a descendant of the dueling rapier from the 16th and 17th centuries. It's similar to the foil in length and weight, but has a thicker blade and a more rigid guard. Because the epee is a thrusting weapon, the target area is the entire body.Rapid, subtle movements
In fencing, one of the best ways to keep an opponent from overpowering you is to use rapid, subtle movements. Many fencers make the mistake of dragging their rear foot when they lunge, compromising their distance. Learning to use your feet naturally can help you take advantage of this movement pattern.A lunge is one of the most basic fencing movements. It is also a classic finishing movement for an attack. Most fencing books teach fencers to hold a lunge pose at the end of an attack. When they do this, they're signaling to the other fencer that they have hit the target and scored points.In addition to the physical benefits of learning to move quickly, the sport also provides a great challenge for kids. It teaches children to read and react quickly to their opponents, while also teaching them to trust their instincts. Rapid, subtle movements in fencing can be particularly difficult for children, and require intensive training.Fast actions
In a fencing bout, fencers must be able to make fast actions, synchronizing their hand and foot movements. This is critical for edging two parries and advancing without compromising the target's speed. The pace of an action depends on the agility of the opponent, and the distance between the two fencers.An example of this is when a fencer attacks another fencer. Fencer A lunges forward, and his opponent B riposts. The delay in action makes it easy for the referee to tell who started the action, and he/she will give priority to the fencer who launched the attack first.In the same way, fencers must be aware that an opponent's blade can occupy the line of an attack or a counterattack. To avoid this, fencers must first get to the critical distance, and then attack with a single-tempo action.Balance between offensive and defensive strategies
In fencing, the balance between offensive and defensive strategies is critical. As the fencer, you need to think strategically before you attack, defend, or counteroffense. This is something that we train ourselves to do in fencing. Here are some tactics that will help you make the best choice for the situation.One way to counterattack is to extend your blade to deflect an opponent's attack. This is a good tactic when the distance between the two fencers is small and the opponent is not yet ready to counter the attack. The opponent's initial thrust will be deflected by your extended blade, and you can then counter with your own parry or riposte.Another strategy is to use feigned starts. This is a great tactic when the opponent has a habit of throwing thrusts and flicks. Likewise, you can invite your opponent to attack by engaging in composite attacks.