Lesson 1: The Basics
is a blade with its point moving threateningly towards the defenders target area, while maintaining a straight arm. This definition allows for a number of counters-in-time. If the attacker bends his arm during the attack, this allows a split second for the defender to create a counter attack. If this counter-attack by the defender (which STARTED while the original attackers arm was BENT) lands in a valid target area, even simultaneously with the original attackers continued attack, the counter-in-time (the one by the defender) is the valid attack.
Also, if the defender (perhaps due to a long reach) can score a point on valid target area, before the original attacker can get his attack (which does have right of way) and does so within an allotted amount of time (usually 1/32 of a second) the defenders attack is valid. The logic behind this is that the defender was able to reach in and "kill" the opponent without really being at risk. Tall fencers have a great advantage with this.
Epee' is a weapon of counter attacks. Epee', as we might recall, has the full body as target and has no right of way as it is intended to simulate an actual duel. I imagine dueling allowed for suicide if you really wanted to win. Epee' has only one rule...get the point first, anywhere. First is defined as 1/32 of a second. It is very common for two epee' fencers to simply thrust simultaneously at each and the winner will be whomever got his point to land 1/32 of a second faster than his/her opponent.
Epee' also recognizes a double touch. If both fencers land on each other within the same 1/32 of a second (much more common than you would think) both fencers will be given a point. Depending on the organizers of the tournament, this could cause both fencers to score a "win", both to score a "loss", or require the bout to continue until somebody actually comes out ahead. Epee', when watched carefully, tends to end up as little more than a series of counter-attacks followed by counter-counter-attacks ad infinitum, and tends to be the most dramatic swordplay of all.
This week we looked at the concept and form of fencing. Next, we will look at the attack itself.
* Thanks to the USFA Official Rule book ** Thanks to Triplette Competition Arms
Latest Articles