Using Footwork

[LeftHanded]

How can you use your footwork to make an effective attack? How does speedy footwork or tempo changes play into the attack? I will close the distance by retreating and then advancing and getting the opponent to fall into my pattern and then half retreat draw an advance and then lunge, that is about the extent of my knowledge.

[chefencer]

http://www.fencing.net/training-tips...next-step.html

[Allen Evans]

How can you NOT use footwork to make an attack? Greg's article points out that the only time an attack is going to score is when a one-tempo situation occurs. At the beginning level, this often happens by accident. More advanced fencers (two years of experiance or more) should be trying to set up attacks primarily with their feet.

I always send my more advanced foil kids to watch high level saber. Saber bladework is surprisingly simple -- almost all the work is done with the feet, with changes of tempo. Even defense in saber is done with primarily with the feet ("Why do I teach parries in the lesson? It gives the stuent something to do", a saber coach once told me).

The making and breaking of patterns is a simple way to start making attacks with the feet. "Falling" for your opponent's patterns and breaking them is another way.

Allen

[LeftHanded]

I tend to use small advances, and quick exentions to draw a reaction that I can then counter attack. I get cautious when I close the distanse with a lot of footwork. I really don't have a mind for using footwork+Blade Work+ psycology.

[Greg]

Back and forward checks and half retreats also work really well to catch an opponent. Simple blade work with great footwork is very effective.

[S. Richardson]

I find that countering my opponent's footwork works well, as does fients. If he tends to be aggresive I'll fall back until he's within my lunging distance, or wait for him to attack, then I'll attack him. I will also move my feet in such a way that it appears I'm retreating farther than I actually am, or I'll try tp appear to advance farther than I am.

[rudd]

Have a read about Buckie Leach's application of tactical footwork in this issue of the Swordmater.

[Fechter1]

<----- Firm believer in the 'lazy man's advance-lunge'. You advance, I lunge.

Smart movements can make you appear a lot faster (quicker) than you actually are. The key to this is that you have to be aware of where the distance is at the moment, and where it will be a split-second in the future, and be able to exert some control over both. Not many beginning fencers understand this. Nor do some intermediate fencers, and those who do, are definitely on their way up.

[D'Art]

Really smart movements make your opponent think you're about three feet further away than you actually are, though. Once you've mastered this, then you can say you have good footwork. Unfortunately, I can't.

[RITFencing]

<----- Firm believer in the 'lazy man's advance-lunge'. You advance, I lunge.

You stole my term! Damn you!

[Allen Evans]

Some other ideas:

Use a sudden, fast advance to help sell a feint.

Use a fast advance and blade-take after a slow advance (or retreat) to cause a "panic" reaction on the part of the opponent.

Use a long slow advance to encourage the opponent to attack into your "preparation".

Use a slow retreat and search to drive the opponent into a line you control. Follow with a short retreat and parry.

Make a short lunge and a remise with a fleche against your opponents late -- but big -- parry.

None of these are terriably clever, or even new. With a little thought, there are 20 or 30 more.

Allen

[Craig]

Allen,

For a while I was a big fan of the extend/stop thrust with slow retreat to get the attacker to finish and then fast retreat w/parry. It's really just a variation on the retreat w/search tactic.

Craig

[samh]

Epee footwork is very different from saber and foil footwork and there are a couple key things to remember. One thing the canadian national coach told me that stuck with me was that "step-lunge is for foil but fleche is for epee". Obviously this isn't meant to be taken as a prohibition against ever using step lunges in epee but it emphasizes the idea that epee attacks are generally very short and simple. Because the attacks are short the majority of footwork is done as preparation and to do this properly i find it very important to move in and out of distance constantly. Beginners often make the mistake of moving a lot but not varying the distance; however, if you are able to move in and out at will then its easier to launch a successful simple attack.

[Xenoflame]

Footwork is 80% of fencing.

98% of statistics are made up on the spot.

[chefencer]

Just for fun and mischief I'm going to invoke the dead:
Footwork vs. Bladework in the name of making up statistics...

p.s.: for more entertainment value, vote in the poll
tee hee hee

[Phaeton]

There is no bladework, only footwork.... (atleast in sabre)

[Inquartata]

Shameful exaggeration!

[seven6ty]

Yes! How can one forget about the importance of SCREAMING AND YELLING!?

[LeftHanded]

I think that a fencer with great bladework would win because as soon as the guy with ok blade work goes to attack, bind or parry and repost, touch right.

Also, why is it that setting up with a slow advance and then a fast advance-lunge is effective? Or Vise-Versa, how does a fast adv. them slow adv.-lunge help? What is it about tempo changes that are effective.

[D'Art]

I disagree. The fencer with the great footwork will win 9 out of 10, due to having the ability to a) get themselves out of trouble, and b) get the opponent into trouble. I feel that bladework is pretty much just there to finish off the hit, or is a last resort to try and stop the hit. Timing, footwork and tempo are all more important IMVHO.

The reason that changes in tempo work is, I think, due to the wiring of the brain. It sees the slow acceleration of the fencer, processes that the acceleration will stay slow, and react accordingly. By the time it processes that it was wrong and reacts to that new stimulous, the hit has already arrived. Someone who actually knows something about the brain will probably tell me I'm talking complete tosh, though.