Advice

[garyhayenga]

what do you mean by that??

The arm back en garde allows for a much larger tempo change with the hand because of the relatively little time it takes to advance the point an extra foot or so compared to the more extended en garde which makes the lunge tempo change more effective. It also makes it more difficult for the opponent to find and control the blade which is especially dangerous if you are trying to attack them.

The extended en garde (not full extension but partly extended) is more effective for second-intention or counter-time actions. The available tempo change going forward is not as great but the potential tempo change going backwards (all the way to full close-out parry plus footwork) is much larger. It is also more useful at provoking the opponent to attack you by making the distance to the wrist tempo much shorter and tempting them to take the blade and attack even though you are prepared to pull distance prefer just that they try just that. It also makes it easier for you to make preparations on the blade and to take the blade early against the offensive action.

Some coaches teach an in between en garde where the balance between attacking and second-intention hand tempo changes is even. Say one fist away from the body for attacking, two for middle and three for second-intention.

gary hayenga

[telkanuru]

Oh, and before I forget, you didn't look like how I imagined you. I thought you were taller.

I'm 6'1"! It's not my fault everyone I fenced was 6'5"+

Although when they gave out epee awards at the year's first collegiate tourney, it was like they were lining them up by hight...

[Schiavona]

Some comments on the comments:
*SNIP*
gary hayenga

How many fencing coaches does it take to change a light bulb?

Ten. One to change the light bulb and nine to watch and mutter, "I teach that somewhat differently".