Your non sword arm... foil/epee

[parrythis]

I used to hold it up in the classical style. Having injured my elbow, I am no longer able to do that so I now rest my hand on my hip.

[Aspiring Aldo]

As excerpted from Maestro Nick Evangelista's The Inner Game of Fencing in Part IV: The Body in The Free Arm:

First, holding up the free arm imparts balance in the on-guard position by acting as a counterbalance. It keeps the fencer upright, erect, and centered, and if maintained properly, it will deter any forward leaning.

The free arm helps maintain the fencer's body angle while in the on-guard position. This reduces the most accessible target area to a bare minimum. Fencers with their free arms down often tend to face their opponent's almost straight on, which is not an intelligent way to fence.

While performing the lunge, by snapping the cocked free arm backward until it is straight and slightly lower than shoulder level, forward velocity is added to your attack.

The free arm acts as a rudder, steering the lunge forward in a straight line (or not, if used incorrectly).

The extended free arm maintains balance while in the lunge, keeping the torso counterbalanced and rear end tucked in.

Finally, quickly pulling the free arm back up to its bent position after attacking helps the fencer draw himself out of the lunge and easily recover his on-guard position.

...

Does having the free arm raised really tense up the shoulders? Well, perhaps in the beginning. You eventually learn to relax with it, as you do with everything in fencing.

Those are some very good reasons why to use the classical approach concerning the free arm.

[mrbiggs]

Those are some very good reasons why to use the classical approach concerning the free arm.

Just so you know, the benefits and disadvantages of keeping a classical en guard have been discussed before. I unfortunately can't find the thread. In short, modern en guarde supporters say that a looser en guard provides looseness, which adds to energy and explosiveness, and it prevents your opponent from being able to tell what you're about to do by your hand. (Or at least, as easily.) Also, your quote includes that fencing straight on is "not an intelligent way to fence," but I've found that, for me at least, it allows me to move more quickly with both my feet and my arm, and in modern foil, the amount of target area you have exposed in the 4 line usually will not change a point.

I prefer the classical en guarde in terms of my back arm, personally, because it helps with balance and speed. It's usually a personal preference rather than a question of correctness.

[Aspiring Aldo]

Oh, sorry. I didn't read the other posts.

[foilz]

I read somewhere recently (Lukovitch? One Touch? Here?) that carrying the free arm in a classic style can be forced and unnatural, and finding a natural, more comfortable place for the arm (and for your entire guard posture) is better.

I've tried carrying my arm high, but it never stays there. Through trial and error I've found a more comfortable place halfway between classical and hanging at the waist, but I have to admit my hand gets whacked by oppponents on a reasonably regular basis. And when I look in the mirror, it doesn't look right.

Work in progress.

[One and Only...]

I fence epee primarily, and as a result of not getting called for covering target I've gotten in the habit of keeping my arm bent at the elbow and in front of my body (though close to it as well). I can still throw my arm back, if need be, from that position, and it just feels comfortable to me. My engarde is kind of like a reverse boxer's stance, save for the fact that I tend to keep my blade arm guarding the low line.

[Aspiring Aldo]

I read somewhere recently (Lukovitch? One Touch? Here?) that carrying the free arm in a classic style can be forced and unnatural, and finding a natural, more comfortable place for the arm (and for your entire guard posture) is better.

I've tried carrying my arm high, but it never stays there. Through trial and error I've found a more comfortable place halfway between classical and hanging at the waist, but I have to admit my hand gets whacked by oppponents on a reasonably regular basis. And when I look in the mirror, it doesn't look right.

Work in progress.

Personally I don't really feel uncomfortable at all now...after sticking with it for a while of course.

[Victor]

I leave my arm tucked away in my dresser drawer so the dog won't play with it while I'm fencing for the evening.

[epee1]

I fence epee primarily, and as a result of not getting called for covering target I've gotten in the habit of keeping my arm bent at the elbow and in front of my body (though close to it as well). I can still throw my arm back, if need be, from that position, and it just feels comfortable to me. My engarde is kind of like a reverse boxer's stance, save for the fact that I tend to keep my blade arm guarding the low line.

Just remember that your back arm is supposed to be used as a counter balance when you are doing footwork, it's to help you recover faster and stay mobile. So wherever you keep it, make sure you take advantage of it.

[Rabid Monk]

Up, in the classical style.
I wasn't taught that way. When I started it was curled up behind my back, but I found that I would unthinkingly bring it out to block. Besides, I find up much more comfortable (except, of course, in sabre).