Need advice on distance lunging

[suregrip]

I have one thing driving me crazy that I just can't seem to fix...my distance lunging. Sometimes, when I lunge, I fall short. I am somewhat unsure of how to close that distance (I only fence epee) without running into my opponents blade. How do you guys and gals do it? How do you close distance quickly without running into the blade?

[counter riposte]

Balestra: a forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche.

A balestra will close distance by approximately one forward (if you are doing it properly) in a much faster motion than a advance-lunge.

It also takes some time to develop distance as a part of your game. Try the <a href="http://www.fencing.net/drills/games1.html" target="_blank">glove game</a> in full equipment

<small>[ 08-09-2002, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: counter riposte ]</small>

[veeco]

Watch the other guy. Get a sense of his rythm. Then brake it.

Most fencers fall into a pattern where they take a couple of steps forward, then a step back, and so forth.

On one of this guy's step forwards, instead of following and retreating, you can feint on an open line. Most people in that situation will attempt to parry. Deceive the parry and hit with a lunge (you are now at correct distance because they came forward, breaking the distance unintenionally).

When you fence better opponents, you have to work more to break the rythm, such as using half-steps, or creating the pattern yourself, but the idea is the same.

If people don't follow you, push them at the end of the strip. When they have one foot out, usually it's harder for them not to take the extra space you are giving them by retreating.

[Peach]

Don't try to reach your opponent with your *lunge*. The lunge is not all that important--it's merely the end of an extended set-up (as veeco has already indicated). Try instead to lunge when the odds are good, because you have made them good, that your opponent will be in the proper distance for you to hit. Your preparatory footwork, your false actions, your invitations, bring your opponent into the proper distance.

Also, falling short is normal. Your opponent is trying to manage the distance at the same time as you are. If you don't reach your opponent with your lunge, don't try to lunge farther. If you miss, you miss, and over-lunging will get you skewered.

I have a very short lunge but I have had people accuse me of having an elastic arm (when I'm on, that is) because I can reach opponents I shouldn't be able to reach. That's because of what I did several steps before, not because my lunge is that deep.

[nahouw]

Its all in the prepartory footwork -- and recognizing the right distance and time to attack and lunge.

First thing is to make sure that you are lunging correctly -- you need to extend first and then lunge. The rules provide for this (well, in the sabre section at least, in which the attack ends with the fall of the front foot -- but the concept is there for all the weapons).

And like Peach says, you don't need a long lunge -- if you are at the right distance and the right time, you will hit.

[Ben[PrFC]]

Interesting note about sabre attacks ending with the landing of the front foot.
Correct me if Im wrong but I believe I read in the latest version of the usfa rules, that in a simple attack, the cut must land either before the front foot, or at the same time. But it goes on to stipulate that in an attack executed with a feint, the cut must land immedietly after the front foot, or before.
Assuming then that there is a small window of oppertunity between a feint lunge cut, when you may be able to trick your opponant into thinking your attack has ended when technically it hasn't.
Anyone have any idea how well this is enforced or even if this is common knowledge among referees?

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

You are going at it the wrong way. You can have the longest lunge in the world and never reach your opponent. Your problem is determining your distance. That fact has already been mentioned.

You have your short, medium, and long lunge. You need to associate which one to use depending on the distance. If they are too far away, there is no point in performing a lunge.

This is a real problem because, in essence, you have out played your opponent but the tip of your weapon came up short thus causing you to miss a point. I've done it and you find the whole action was a waste of energy. Plus, tactically, your opponent got away with not losing a point and won't make the same mistake (possibly) on the same move.

Since you fence epee and I don't, I really can't help you.

[D'Artagnan1673]

Here's something to try for those times that you just don't make the hit like you'd like. You lunge at close distance, miss due to a parry. As you recover from your lunge keep your point in line. Theres a chance that your counterattacking opponent will run right into the blade.

Another move I am working on is keeping proper distance, lunge, miss then fleche to the body. I've still not got it down right, but I'm working on it.

[shyHeidi]

Ah, but at least you don't lose your balance and practically fall over half the time when you lunge.

I'm actually practicing this (though not on purpose) and getting quite good at almost falling...