Someone explain the "low hand" sabre attack rule

[oso97]

But surely referees are not the only people who need to know? If you are a competitor or coach you need to work on these things in advance so that you don't get to a competition and have to try and adjust your timing / technique.

But that said, posting something on a website is just going to mean a few of us misread it and so explanation by individuals is probably going to be preferable (if not necessarily through a sort of chain which ends up distorting the original message).

So, aside from the chair of the FIE Arbitrage Committee personally calling every fencer, coach, referee and parent in the entire world fencing community, how WOULD you disseminate information, other than by either 1) posting it on a website, or 2) sending it through a chain of communication?

[Allen Evans]

So, aside from the chair of the FIE Arbitrage Committee personally calling every fencer, coach, referee and parent in the entire world fencing community ....

Well....that would only be polite, yes?

AE

[pinkelephant]

This happens every World Championships, my advice would be to get used to it.

It was actually done before the World University Games in Bangkok in August, which most of the world sent teams to (as well as the European Championships at which there were, strangely enough, only Europeans)

[Insipiens]

So, aside from the chair of the FIE Arbitrage Committee personally calling every fencer, coach, referee and parent in the entire world fencing community, how WOULD you disseminate information, other than by either 1) posting it on a website, or 2) sending it through a chain of communication?

I have no objection to both (1) and (2) - in fact I think it should be both not one or the other. I just think the chain of communication should widen earlier.

[Sabresque]

I've been around fencing for a few world championships, and I am used to it. That doesn't make it any better.

[randomsabreur]

The interpretation "change" is as a result of the use of video refereeing. The slow speed makes it very clear whose hand goes first - to the point that the fencer in high line is clearly hitting before the fencer whose hand is in low line has raised their hand.

[I_luv_saber]

The interpretation "change" is as a result of the use of video refereeing. The slow speed makes it very clear whose hand goes first - to the point that the fencer in high line is clearly hitting before the fencer whose hand is in low line has raised their hand.

See, this was my line of reasoning...

Keep in mind I'm sorely out of the loop, but also...

If your hand is in a low line and/or you aren't threatening target, you don't have priority over someone who IS threatening your target, no . I mean, seemingly one who is holding the saber at a "normal" level would be considered more threatening than one who is holding the saber below the waist, right?

I must be missing the interpretation or something, because the way I'm picturing it in my mind, it makes sense. Holding the saber threateningly at a more normal height seems more threatening than sticking it out down below the waist...

[KD5MDK]

Then how come I keep managing to hit you on the wrist with my low attacks?

[I_luv_saber]

low COUNTER-attacks, maybe... but I've rarely been hit on the wrist as an attack. Which still doesn't address the issue of threatening besides...

[Insipiens]

this is beginning to sound like the argument in foil that the point has to be pointing at the target to threaten it.

...
not that I know anything about sabre. attack no (flat)

[Capt. Slo-mo]

And just to completely confuse everyone; word today from certain referees and cadre members passed along to the fencers in St. Pete's indicates the FIE may have had a change of heart, and is now no longer asking the refs to drop priority for the low hand attack.

Go figure.

[NSXER]

And just to completely confuse everyone; word today from certain referees and cadre members passed along to the fencers in St. Pete's indicates the FIE may have had a change of heart, and is now no longer asking the refs to drop priority for the low hand attack.

Go figure.

Remember when they used to flip a coin to see who got the next touch on simultaneous actions.....

[fencerbill]

I remain confused about what people mean by the low line attack.

I often attack with my forearm horizontal and the blade approximately horizontal.

I have seen others attack with the blade tip within inches of their toes.

While refereeing, I sort between them using the following philosophy (which I admit has no basis in the written rules). Is the attacking fencer's blade where the opponent could, potentially, beat or parry it?

Or, should you be able to hide your blade from a potential counter action and still get credit for right of way?

I don't think you should. You should be at some risk if you want right of way.

Forearm horizontal, blade horizontal and extending, I think you should have right of way.

Blade tip near your shoe, not extending towards your opponent, no right of way yet.

Admittedly there are some other local Sabre fencers who STRONGLY disagree with me. If they are advancing, they think they should have priority.

[I_luv_saber]

I remain confused about what people mean by the low line attack.

I often attack with my forearm horizontal and the blade approximately horizontal.

I have seen others attack with the blade tip within inches of their toes.

While refereeing, I sort between them using the following philosophy (which I admit has no basis in the written rules). Is the attacking fencer's blade where the opponent could, potentially, beat or parry it?

Or, should you be able to hide your blade from a potential counter action and still get credit for right of way?

I don't think you should. You should be at some risk if you want right of way.

Forearm horizontal, blade horizontal and extending, I think you should have right of way.

Blade tip near your shoe, not extending towards your opponent, no right of way yet.

Admittedly there are some other local Sabre fencers who STRONGLY disagree with me. If they are advancing, they think they should have priority.

This is a good point of view also, methinks.

But yeah, I'm kinda confused... low-line is rather vague. Anything below the waist???

[KD5MDK]

low COUNTER-attacks, maybe... but I've rarely been hit on the wrist as an attack. Which still doesn't address the issue of threatening besides...

Hmm. Well, I make it work (absent referees who refuse to give it as an attack).

[MyrddinsPrecint]

My guideline has been if I flip the blade above the waist, would I consider that an attack? so, pointing at shoes means pointing at sky, means not an attack. The rule book does specify an angle for a sabre attack, iirc, and again iirc, it doesn't specify that the angle needs to be above the waist.......

This would lead to great battles between someone who used to be on my team and I, but she wasn't that great, so while I might often be incorrect about what is or is not an attack, I'm not more convinced because of her belief