ROW in three sentences

[mrbiggs]

Your challenge:

Describe foil right of way to a beginner who only knows things like target area and footwork. Be as in depth and descriptive as you can. But, you only get three sentences to do it.

Best one gets a bigg rep point.

And no using incredibly long compound sentences either. (No semicolons as well.)

Good luck.

[S. Hunter]

In foil:

Right of way is what whoever attacks more viscously gets.
Right of way is what whoever screams the loudest gets.
Right of way is what you get black carded for screaming at the ref about.

:-D

[Schiavona]

Right of Way is, in essence, the right to attack and is somewhat like having the serve in tennis or volleyball. You gain Right of Way either by extending your arm with your point(and/or edge in sabre) threatening your opponent's target or by sucessfully defending yourself from your opponent's attack. Right of Way should only be considered if both fencers land, valid or invalid for foil and valid for sabre.

How's that?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Right of way is given to the fencer that makes the offensive action and extends their arm.
The defender can take right of way with a defensive action.
If both fencers hit, the one that has right of way gets the point.

[AndrewH]

I prefer ROW haikus.

to attack you must
extend and initiate
no preparations!

[telkanuru]

What is ROW,
A concept from driver's ed?
The epeeist asks.

[Robert (2)]

If you are attacked you must find the blade.
If your blade is found you must find the blade.
Whoever attacks first or finds the blade last wins.

RObert

[HillBilly]

Originally Posted by telkanuru

What is ROW,
A concept from driver's ed?
The epeeist asks.

one o' those bloody terms...

[VorpalCat]

I'm coming at you with a sharp, pointy object.
You need to do something about that sharp, pointy object before you come at me with your own sharp, pointy object.

(Note: Yep it's only the most basic concept of ROW. But it gets beginners thinking in the right direction before they get buried under the rest of the story. AND it's only two, count 'em, two sentences. )

[L.O.A.S.]

If fencers were using blades with sharp points, Right of Way describes how the action should be governed, so that only one person dies (i.e. NO DOUBLE TOUCHES). There is a designated attacker, who claims R.O.W. (i.e. the right to stab his opponent) by being the first to start arm extension. The defender must recognize the attackers advantage, and act accordingly (i.e. parry) before claiming R.O.W.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Originally Posted by L.O.A.S.

If fencers were using blades with sharp points, Right of Way describes how the action should be governed, so that only one person dies (i.e. NO DOUBLE TOUCHES). There is a designated attacker, who claims R.O.W. (i.e. the right to stab his opponent) by being the first to start arm extension. The defender must recognize the attackers advantage, and act accordingly (i.e. parry) before claiming R.O.W.

why not just counter into his wrist?

[Schiavona]

Originally Posted by L.O.A.S.

If fencers were using blades with sharp points, Right of Way describes how the action should be governed, so that only one person dies (i.e. NO DOUBLE TOUCHES). There is a designated attacker, who claims R.O.W. (i.e. the right to stab his opponent) by being the first to start arm extension. The defender must recognize the attackers advantage, and act accordingly (i.e. parry) before claiming R.O.W.

Common scene in a foil bout; one white light, one colored light. Off target has Right of Way, nothing done.
Same scene with sharp points; one swordsman has a hole in their arm or leg, other swordsman has a hole in their chest.

[C.J.]

There's no spoon. There's no spoon. There's no spoon.

[noodle]

here's my try, based on a real life example and is a very simple view of right of way as there are many other nuances:


Right of Way is a very common concept which is used all the time when driving one's car, like when coming upon a four way stop. The first person to get to the stop sign (begins an attack) can drive through the intersection (continue their attack) until they're all of the way through it without worrying about someone else plowing into them (counterattacking). If there is an accident at the intersection (two light action), though, it is up to the police (the director) to determine fault and make the guilty party pay (touch against).

[achilleus]

RoW is a complex and artificial set of rules to determine who scores when both people land touches. It's used in both foil and saber.
Now let's have some fun, here's an epee.

[mollusk]

I have it.

You don't.

Deal with it.

[SouthPaw]

The first person to start their attack has RoW.
You lose RoW if you stop your attack before it lands, or if you are parried; the first attack is now over, and the other person can gain RoW with an attack.
Whoever had RoW during the hit has their light considered (on/off target).

[davtsung]

I'll do it in three words: Seriously needs clarification

[MikeHarm]

We're both dead now and its your fault.

[ls14evar]

ROW is simple- Thou must defend thyself if attacked.

I mean thats the essence really. You are obligated to treat every attack as if it could kill you and respond appropriately. Pretend you want to live, so no doubles.