I found this reply from Master Lurz in the archive while browsing.
> Passata sotto isn't used any more in foil because your back would
> get flicked black and blue.
The action is not meant to oppose the "flick," and even today, not
every touch is made by 'flick." The passata sotto is intended to
oppose - thrusts - directed to the outside high line. Granted, the
technique is difficult to do, and it requires much more practice than
most other actions. It requires speed, agility, and an ability to set
up the adversary so that he will attack the outside high line. It
should not be done as an impromptu reaction, but as a counterattack
planned with forethought. I hadn't seen this action used effectively
in a very long time, but three years ago I had a gifted student
who was able to do it quite well against non-flicking fencers.
> The Eastern European countries transformed fencing in the
> latter half of the 20th Century with their emphasis on athleticism and
> mobility, for example.
It is much more accurate to say that they transformed the rules
(read abandoned): priority given to bent arm attacks, priority to
attacks from out of distance against the blade in line, priority
awarded on the basis of foot movement, flicks, etc. In addition
athleticism, while being emphasized, also was allowed to serve
as a substitute for blade work.
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