Switching to Epee

[invictus]

Hey all!

After considerable thought, I have decided that I want to cross over from foil to epee. I figured epee fencing is much cheaper without lames, epee blades don't malfunction as often, and I don't have to continuously suffer from bad directing.

The question that I have is exactly what parts of foil fencing should I keep when I am fencing epee. I know that right of way goes out the window entirely. Anything else that I should keep in mind? I haven't had any formal training yet so I'm hoping you guys can lend me a hand. Also, I'm a bit taller than 5'8" which, I'm guessing, is kind of short for an epee fencer. How can I compensate for my lack of long arms and legs?

Thanks!

[EpeeCoach]

Hey all!

After considerable thought, I have decided that I want to cross over from foil to epee. I figured epee fencing is much cheaper without lames, epee blades don't malfunction as often, and I don't have to continuously suffer from bad directing.

The question that I have is exactly what parts of foil fencing should I keep when I am fencing epee. I know that right of way goes out the window entirely. Anything else that I should keep in mind? I haven't had any formal training yet so I'm hoping you guys can lend me a hand. Also, I'm a bit taller than 5'8" which, I'm guessing, is kind of short for an epee fencer. How can I compensate for my lack of long arms and legs?

Thanks!

Wise choice, certainly less fuss and less bad directing. The best things to know and remember about Epee, Epee is always forward and parry with your point.
Find a great coach that is trained as an Epee coach. Good fencing...

[D'Art]

I haven't had any formal training yet so I'm hoping you guys can lend me a hand. Also, I'm a bit taller than 5'8" which, I'm guessing, is kind of short for an epee fencer. How can I compensate for my lack of long arms and legs?

First of all - poor show. You actually want to fence epee?

Second, you need to do some preparation. This is best done by taking copious amounts of uppers and get practising your best Tigger impersonation.

Third, you need to develop the art of sleeping on your feet.

Fourth, you must undertake a frontal lobotomy.

Fifth, you must then ask yourself if it's worth all the hassle and boredom.

If you then decide it isn't, console yourself in the knowledge that you can now become a politician.

Or you could ignore this advice and find that, with some slight adaptations, a lot of foil stuff is quite useful in epee.

[larkmaj]

The 2 biggest things I can think of:

1. Think closest target, your biggest concern in protecting target should be your hand and arm as it is the closest to your opponent, I have to constantly tell some of the fencers at my club taking beginner epee that their en guarde should leave no part of the hand and arm exposed. Aslo, this means you should be aiming for their hand or arm, if you go deeper, they'll hit you first.

2. While beats and parries are still extremely useful in epee, those little taps that you're used to in foil will no longer suffice, you actually need to control your opponent's blade and ensure that the point is not directed toward your target. My favorite thing to do against foilists who fence epee "for fun" on whim is to just stand in me en guarde while the tap my blade for a beat and lunge, as soon as they release my blade it goes right back to where it was and their arm runs straight into it.

[Durando]

The question that I have is exactly what parts of foil fencing should I keep when I am fencing epee.

I woudn't keep anything. You've got to re-learn lots. Tempo is very different in épée. Hand and foot tempo works differently. This is what's going to happen to you all the time: you'll get attacked from long distance, you'll take a super deep parry, then you'll eat the remise. It will take a while to get rid of this, so don't worry. Remember that parries are serious, real actions which serve a real purpose in épée. You can't really riposte in any old fashion, either.

If I were you I would learn to work countertime very well. Direct attacks and straight lunges to the body. Roll out that foil lunge; it can do wonders. Don't sweat the technical bladework now. It's complex and frustrating. Fence in absence du fer until you learn to make arrêts and simple attacks set up by tempo.

[Sciurus-Rex]

Wow. That's pretty darn nifty.

I mean, this being your first post and immediately attracting another new user for his first post. ... And you two registering, like, just one day of each other.

It's kismet or something. Possibly twins separated at birth, or predestined lovers. It's a sign you should DEFINITELY fence epee.

[Captain Hook]

Third, you need to develop the art of sleeping on your feet.

hehe lol

[seven6ty]

Epee is always forward and parry with your point.

Parry with your point? How would one do this and why?

[BrianH]

Parry with your point? How would one do this and why?

*Defend* yourself with the point: counterattack.

[seven6ty]

A counterattack isn't a parry though?

[D'Art]

If you're cute enough, it can be.

[T H U G]

foil fencas be fast, saberists be fasta.
but epeeists? they be straight up gangsta
whippin dat blade
his hand, it get made
da guy's thumb be lookin like beef jerky
da rules? eppe be lots less murky
foil makes ya move back n foth like a turkey
saber makes ya rush like a zergey
eppeists play it cool
they be stayin in school
chillin at da pool
representin da epee
get good and you may
be straight up gangsta
werd

[piste off]

Wow, someone learned how to use the Ali G translator.

Booyakasha!

Rick

[MyrddinsPrecint]

A counterattack isn't a parry though?

Well, it is in the way that you prevent your opponent from getting a touch by doing it right.......

[nahouw]

Parry with your point? How would one do this and why?

I think what he was intending to mean was that you take an opposition parry and continue with the point. The why part meaning that if you keep opposition and continue with your point, you will not be hit as you hit, as opposed to taking a beat parry.

[Captain Hook]

eppeists play it cool
they be stayin in school
chillin at da pool

so cool in fact it's hard to stay awake watching them... especially with the hypnotic bouncing

on the height issue from the original post, being able to score by hitting your opponents arm can help you if your strugging in the lankyness department

[Sciurus-Rex]

being able to score by hitting your opponents arm can help you if your strugging in the lankyness department

The lankyness department is one floor above housewares and around the corner from lawn equipment, right?

[Inquartata]

Wow, someone learned how to use the Ali G translator.

Booyakasha!

Rick

Oh, it's just Mr. Epee. Come on, we all KNEW he couldn't stay away, didn't we?

[seven6ty]

Well, it is in the way that you prevent your opponent from getting a touch by doing it right.......

A retreat prevents your opponent from getting a point too, yet that's not a parry either.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

A retreat prevents your opponent from getting a point too, yet that's not a parry either.

haven't you heard people using the term "distance parry"??

Again, it's the difference between reffing terms and coaching terms..........