Footwork vs. Bladework

[Schiavona]

The so-called St. George's Parry ( sabre parry of quinte but with point aimed in the opposite direction and elbow across the body ) was sometimes labelled parry #9...

He's talking foil though..........

I learned a sabre parry that had the blade hanging down behind your weapon-side shoulder as a parry 9. It was supposed to protect your back. So, in sabre we learned parries 1-9................... please don't ask.

[Araznal]

I've actually heard of that one too (thank you Jason Sheridan ). I also know five in foil which is to block WAY inside line, bringing the arm back to the outside side of your hip. Though ridiculous, it is not nearly as ridiculous as a sabre nine. When I first saw it, I thought, "so THAT's where that lightsabre parry came from..."

[VELISARIOS]

The secret is...footwork!

[sabreur]

Why is this thread in the water cooler?

By the way, I agree with those who think that footwork is the most important, but I also agree with Quart that bladework is the most fun.

[UNO Sabrer]

Have you ever seen wheelchair fencing? Those guys have amazing blade work!

[Beowulfman6]

Footwork is definately more important.

But the way our coach teaches us you'd think he was trying to develop world champion wheelchair fencers by having us do bladework drills all the time with our feet locked in place. He says it's to develop speed and good defense, but I say speed and good defence come from great footwork.

[Inquartata]

Bladework is everything! Saw a fencer at recent NAC that never took a step, made it through 3 D.E.s! Bladework was ALL they had. Weapon was epee.

What, only ONE? Don't ALL epeeists fence like that?

[Rapier_wit]

Bladework in epee. Footwork and in foil and saber.

I agree. You may have the best footwork in the world, but if you can't move that blade, you'll never score a point. You can always cheat on footwork and bounce around more.

[RebelFencer]

I agree. You may have the best footwork in the world, but if you can't move that blade, you'll never score a point. You can always cheat on footwork and bounce around more.

Bouncing is part of the footwork of epee'. It allows you to adjust distance less noticeably as well as change tempo quickly. Trust me, it is not cheating and much more difficult than just "bouncing" when done correctly.

Also:: Footwork is most important.

[bmcfencer]

He's talking foil though..........

I learned a sabre parry that had the blade hanging down behind your weapon-side shoulder as a parry 9. It was supposed to protect your back. So, in sabre we learned parries 1-9................... please don't ask.

sounds almost like stage combat.....

[Josephine25]

If I was bad at either one my mom wouldn't let me fence, which is why I try to become perfect at both.

[RebelFencer]

If I was bad at either one my mom wouldn't let me fence, which is why I try to become perfect at both.

That's the right idea. No matter which one is more important, it is ultimately important to be as good at each as possible.

[The Fish]

I think timing is the single most important aspect of fencing, but that overlaps with both footwork and bladework. I have no experience with foil and épée (I know, I know, I should've done foil first...) but it's ironic how many swashbucklers start sabre expecting heavy, impressive bladework when in fact the best bladework consists of extremely quick phrases and only occasional prises de fer. At top level sabre, I think the footwork looks more important; they all fence in absence of blade...

So I say footwork in sabre. Dunno about foil/épée although it looks like they get more prises de fer etc. so that might give more weight to the bladework side.

[I_luv_saber]

Controlling distance and tempo is essential... at least for saber anyways. I mean, bladework is a great plus, but if you can't manipulate the distance and time using your footwork, your done. In my experience anyways...

[Sarah]

Footwork and bladework are both essential to fencing, but if you had to choose one to excell in and the other to just be average I would go with footwork. It really gives you an advantage over your opponent.

[UnorthodoxEpeeist]

Hmm, in epee, there are times when I can just stand my ground and close out anyone who tries to attack me.

Then again, when that doesn't work, I must move...

They're pretty even. Footwork is nothing without bladework in epee and bladework is nothing without footwork.

[Fechter1]

Hmm, in epee, there are times when I can just stand my ground and close out anyone who tries to attack me.

Yeah, but part of good footwork is knowing when NOT to move...

They're pretty even. Footwork is nothing without bladework in epee and bladework is nothing without footwork.

Agree with your last statement though. Good footwork (as I define it) means knowing how to move, how to control the distance to let your bladework succeed. Good bladework means executing your actions at the proper distance/tempo.

Personal preference is footwork, but that may be just because mine is somewhat deficient, and usually the reason my actions fail.

[Farfetnoogen]

Footwork is the key. Í fence Epee, but i get slaughtered when my footwork isn't up to snuff. Rather pathetic really!

Even though I fence foil, the same is true for me. If I'm not moving, I'm losing.

[LostSwordsman]

Footwork is like peanut butter in a PB and J sandwich. Without the jelly of bladework, you can still eat it, but it'll taste kind of nasty. Nobody really eats Jelly by itself. If my foil had feet than that would be a different story.