double touch

[epeemancer]

i fence epee and am having trouble in my bouts with making double touches. (especially fencing dry) what can i do to make sure that i am the only one making the touch when i strike?

Thanx

[cleghmor]

Give it up with this "dry" thing. Double touches only happen when on an electric box. The double takes some practice. As a rookie you should try to relax ,invite the attack and counter to the fore-arm and tip of shoulder. Just remember to counter forward!". Also remember that countering is a "losing" game.Only counter when you know you are going to be hit.

cleghmor

[John]

I agree about the dry thing. Dry fencing is very different than electric. As far as doubles go, it is bad fencing. It means you did something wrong so you should never strive for doubles. However, cleg, I must respectfully disagree about counters. IMHO counters should never be simply sticking your arm out and hoping to hit something because you forgot to parry/retreat. Countering should be a carefully thought out attack into an opening during your opponents attack (i.e. the bicep/shoulder if the bell drops on a low lunge, the wrist on an attempted flip/pick, etc.) A few counters with mixed into your parries can make for a much more unpredictable "game" thus eliminating disengages from you opponents options (cuz if you disengage into a counter you will get hit). That's my 2 cents.

[Christopher J Umbs]

epeemancer,

IMO, the only way to be truly safe in epee in terms of making it a single light is to control the opponent's blade with a pris de fer.

Chris

[Craig]

You'll never be able to tell if you're truly getting double touches unless you fence electric.

Dry epee is only for drills - for bouting you need to be doing electric to get the feeling for the weapon and hits.

Craig

[cleghmor]

Hi John

We are on the same side. What you describe as a counter I call an attack into prep.

clegh

[Gav]

Hi epeemancer. Sorry about the length of this but this is quite a complicated topic.

The double hits are arriving for 2 reasons (probably).

1. You are fencing dry (we call it steam in the UK).

For a hit to be considered to be in time it must arrive - obviously - before the other fencer. It must also land with a definite bend.

What's happening is either you [or your opponent] is counterattacking into an attack without opposition. Clear their blade before riposting or before lauching an attack. Always remember that fencing dry means your hits are eing decided by comittee, so it has to be obvious to the majority who has hit 1st and in time.

So don't attack under the arm or anywhere else that won't be obvious the judges. Don't flick, your attack must be definite.

At our club we rarely fence dry for these reasons.

2. Your fencing electric.

If you are defending. Your counterattacks are landing - but so are your opponents attacks - within the box's time limit. Watch your distance. If you allow your opponent to come too close you will have less time to riposte. Don't counterattack unless you have cleared (or can clear) your opponents tip. Watch your distance. If you allow your opponent to come too close you will have less time to riposte.

If you are attacking. You are not clearing your opponents blade before attacking or you are launching the attack within your opponents fencing distance. Try 2nd intention. Draw them out with beats or feints - then launch your attack. Which method you use depends on the opponent you are facing.

If you find they are getting too close - force em back. For example try for a toe hit (or even feintfor their toe!) they'll step back whether you hit or not!

Double hits are part of epee and can even be used as part of your tactics. If you are a couple of hits up (and I would only use this if I felt confident and 2 or more hits up) allow your opponent to do all the work. Sucker him in. When he attacks - counterattack. Providing you are accurate your hit will be in time and a double hit will be scored (you mat even get a single). You are still ahead (and closer to your goal) he still has'nt gained any ground - with less time to go. Devastating!

I'll leave it there. Remember and mention to your caoch if you are having any difficulties. He should be able to suggest some remedies depending on where the fault lies.

Hope this helps.