What is an appel?

[Pinky]

I saw it listed in the drill section under footwork exercises. I can't find the term anywhere in my books. Any ideas?

[FencerInUS]

Appel is when youre en guarde, you raise your lead foot and stop it down. this usually comes with an extention to get you opponent to parry. so it would go something like:

- = at the same time

Appel-extention.
disengage the parry-lunge

------------------
F.I.US.
Parry, THEN riposte
--)--------

[Rick]

The key to the appel:
You have to make it look like your actually doing something other than stomping your foot. It has to look like an advance, or at best a lunge. As FIUS said, it is to get a reaction from your opponent. This move can be used to 'size-up' your opponent (to see how jumpy he is, what he does at the presence of a threat, if parries early or late, or if he by passes the parry and launches a counterattack, et cetera).
Most importantly, your appels,lunges, and advances need to have the same initial front leg movement (the difference is in the finish). That way, he wouldn't be able to read your correct intention if you do use an appel.

[Christopher J Umbs]

Not that most of you would find yourselves in this situation, but one of the more amusing attempts at an appel I ever saw was when a fencer who was only used to fencing inside tried it outside and sank up to his ankle in mud with only a muted splut sound to show for it.

Chris

[Bugaboo]

It's a tasty red fruit often used in pies, as well as the main ingredient in appel sauce and appel cider.

[FencerInUS]

BOOOOOOO!

------------------
F.I.US.
Parry, THEN riposte
--)--------

[HilandDoug]

Well, Bug, I was wondering how long it would take for someone to post that response!

[Lumberg]

Bugaboo,
That was a ballsy move. You can be my wingman anytime.

------------------
Lumberg.
"...yeah...did you get the memo about the TPS reports?"

[Bugaboo]

(My personal motto: "If I don't make myself laugh, who will?")