Fencing words · Intermediate
The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.
I · Intermediate · 31 words · Step 2 of 2Basic setup terms
Fencing time
The time needed to carry out one simple fencing action. A stop hit must arrive a fencing time before the end of a compound attack to be valid.
See also: Stop hit, Attack, Compound attack
Scoring terms
Hit off the target
A hit on a non-valid area. At foil it does not count but stops the phrase and cancels any later hit; at sabre it is not registered and the phrase goes on.
Right of way and the phrase
Point in line
A position with the sword arm straight and the point continuously threatening the opponent's target. An attacker must first deflect the blade of a fencer who is point in line. Mere contact does not count.
See also: Fencer
Stop hit
A counter-attack made into the opponent's attack. Against a compound attack it is valid only if it arrives a fencing time before the attacker's last movement.
See also: Fencing time, Attack, Compound attack
Remise, redoublement and reprise
New offensive actions after the first: a remise is an immediate renewal without withdrawing the arm, a redoublement is a new action against an opponent who has parried without riposting or avoided by retreating, and a reprise is a new attack after returning to guard.
Also called: remise, redoublement, reprise
See also: Attack
Dérobement
When an attacker tries to find and deflect the opponent's blade and the opponent evades it. The right of attack then passes to the opponent.
Also called: derobement
See also: Attack
Technique terms
Flèche
A running attack in which the fencer launches forward and may run past the opponent. It is allowed at foil and épée, even with corps à corps, but a flèche that jostles the opponent is brutality, and at sabre any forward movement where the rear foot passes the front foot is forbidden.
Also called: fleche
See also: Fencer, Foil, Épée, Sabre, Attack
Flick
A whipping motion, mainly in foil, that allows the blade to bend around a defence and still register a touch.
Attack by beating
An attack that begins with a beat on the opponent's blade. If the beat is on the foible (the weaker two-thirds of the blade) the attack keeps its priority. A beat on the forte (the third nearest the guard) is badly made and gives the opponent the right to an immediate riposte.
Also called: beat attack
See also: Deciding hit, Right of way, Riposte, Attack
Disengage
Moving the blade around an opponent's attempted parry to continue an attack.
Compound attack
An attack made in several movements, usually with feints. It is correct only if the arm is straightened at the first feint and not bent during the later actions.
Tactical terms
Tempo
The timing and rhythm of exchanges, which skilled fencers manipulate to create openings.
Second intention
A tactic where a fencer deliberately allows an attack to draw a predictable response, setting up a counter.
Distance control
Managing the space between fencers, a key skill since even small distance changes affect timing.
Preparation
Steps, feints or other actions made with a bent arm, which are not attacks and so do not carry priority. The opponent may launch an attack or a counter-action during them.
See also: Deciding hit, Right of way, Attack
Rules and boundaries
Unwillingness to fight
One minute of fencing without a hit. The referee calls Halt. The first time both fencers get a penalty hit; the second time the fencer behind, or if level the lower seed, gets a black-card loss. It is judged by the same rule in team events.
Also called: passivity, non-combativity
See also: Fencer, Referee, Penalty hit
Using the non-sword hand
Using the free hand or arm to attack or defend is forbidden, and brings a red card and annuls the fencer's hit. Covering the valid target with a non-valid part is a first-group offence.
See also: Fencer, Valid target, Attack, Red card
Turning the back
Turning one's back on the opponent during the bout, a first-group offence that annuls the fencer's hit.
Passing
When a fencer goes completely past the opponent, the referee calls Halt and puts them back. A hit made immediately as they pass is valid, and one made after passing by the passer is annulled.
Late arrival
A fencer or team not ready when called is penalised with a yellow card, a red card a minute later, and elimination a minute after that. A fencer who misses the first call ten minutes before the start is eliminated.
See also: Fencer, Yellow card, Red card
Match and equipment terms
Lame
The conductive jacket worn at foil and sabre, which makes the valid target register a hit. At épée the whole body is target and the jacket is not a conductive one.
Also called: conductive jacket
See also: Foil, Épée, Sabre, Valid target
Body cord
The wire that links the weapon, inside the guard, to the fencer's back, and on to the scoring apparatus. Fencers must bring a spare.
Also called: bodywire
See also: Fencer
Corps à corps
Contact between the fencers' bodies. The referee stops the bout. Causing it on purpose to avoid a hit, or jostling the opponent, is penalised, but making it by a flèche or by advancing vigorously is not a fault.
Equipment check
Before each pool, match or bout the referee checks the FIE label on clothing, conductive jackets, an under-plastron resisting 800 newtons, the weapons and the spring pressure and travel of the point.
Spare equipment
Fencers bring two weapons, two bodywires and two mask wires in working order, one of each as a spare. Having only one is a first-group offence.
See also: Mask
Officials and review
Judges
Two neutral judges, one on each side of the piste, who watch for use of the non-sword hand, substitution of the target, hits on the floor at épée, and leaving the piste. They are obligatory in individual finals of four and team finals.
See also: Piste, Épée, Leaving the piste
Penalties
Groups of offences
Offences fall into four groups. The first brings a yellow card, then red cards. The second is a red card each time. The third is a red card the first time and a black card the next. The fourth is a black card at once.
See also: Yellow card, Red card, Black card