Distance

[AndrastVitesse]

Is there anyway to work on controlling your distance while fencing. I tend to get to close to my opponent. Is there any drills to do that will help maintaing good distance?

[Coup de Grace]

Man oh man, that is a problem I face as well. I'm 6'4" and have to remind myself to keep my gait smaller. I get into trouble when I "over advance", for the lack of the proper phrase, where one advance is really 2+ advances. As a result I'm too close to my opponent and cannot properly extend my arm or retreat. The only suggestion I would offer is to practice the footwork at home when you can.

[LUDICROUS]

Heck, me too. 6", and my distance is usually shoddy. I have to consciously think about it, so I usually think too hard and miss a quick parry or something.

[sabreur]

There are lots of drills where one fencer leads and the other follows, keeping distance.

For sabre, "critical" distance is where the points of the two fencers' weapons would be just short of each others' bells if both fencers were extended in a line. Establish this distance, then have one fencer lead and the other one follow.

A combative drill is to have both fencers start with their back foot on the en garde lines, and fence without blade parries--only distance parries, stop cuts or attacks in prep are allowed on defense.

Another combative drill is to have both fencers at long distance, with the "attacker" on his or her end line. The drill begins with the "defender" making an invitation. The attacker then tries to drive the defender the length of the strip, only ending the attack when the defender stops or the attacker has clear tempo--you don't just try to beat the defender with speed. The defender uses all the tools available--attempts to take the blade, stop cuts, attacks in prep, parries if necessary en finale--to stop the attacker's drive. Ideally, the defender should use broken footwork to dip in and out of distance while trying to disrupt the attack. This drill, IMNSHO, captures the essence of modern sabre, both on the attack and on the defense.

MR

[Coup de Grace]

Excellent insight Sabreur. That is very helpful.

[Alain]

I always say that distance is the best defense. There's no secret, just do lots of footwork exercises whenever possible - work on your fitness as well if you have to - and stay more alert during your fights.

A few exercises you can do, as pairwork.

One person (A) stays at close distance, hitting their partner (B) with their arm extended. B moves and controls the footwork, A has to follow and try to keep the same distance as best possible.

Stay at lunging distance and blades engaged in sixte. Person A controls distance and, when they close line, B disengages and hits with a lunge. Develop this further, by A changing the timing so hits are made close, with a step, a lunge, or even a flêche.

That's the basic idea, which is easy to change according to what you think will work in a match. Keep it simple, and focus on technique - point first!!!

Hope this helps

[P Barbasiewicz]

Another good distance exercise is where 1 person gets 5 attacks (no fleches allowed) against the other person (without a weapon) who leads the exercise and tries to keep good enough distance so that the 5 attacks miss.

The trick is tempting the person with the weapon to use up 1 of the attacks - stay too far away and they won't go for you, so you have to practice getting your opponent to attack thinking they can get you.

Great exercise to improve awareness on distance and gives some variety in training at your club.

[telkanuru]

My coach just whacks me over the head when I get too close...

[AndrastVitesse]

My coach just whacks me over the head when I get too close...

haha. That works

[sabreur]

My coach just whacks me over the head when I get too close...

It's tactical training--that's also what your opponent will do in a bout....

[telkanuru]

It's tactical training--that's also what your opponent will do in a bout....

It's effective, whatever it is

[VELISARIOS]

One good exersise for distance is the following.
The oponents can do only advances, lunges and advance lunges. The oponents can not do parries,fleshes or counter attacks. So they must close the distance and get the touch. It is very difficult exersise but it works (in long term).