Right of Way question

[Jous]

Hey, I'm on the newbish side of fencing, only been at it for nearly 5 months. I'm being trained in all 3 weapons but mainly foil and sabre so I have a question for the right of way.

If someone has their arm out and is going to attack (like they're about to swing) and you don't have your arm out, can you get a point if you quickly just reach out and hit them before they strike? If so, can you also do that even if they had the last parry?

[Artisan]

Originally posted by Jous
Hey, I'm on the newbish side of fencing, only been at it for nearly 5 months. I'm being trained in all 3 weapons but mainly foil and sabre so I have a question for the right of way.

If someone has their arm out and is going to attack (like they're about to swing) and you don't have your arm out, can you get a point if you quickly just reach out and hit them before they strike? If so, can you also do that even if they had the last parry?

uh...NO...unless you are both holding epees.

You are trying to make a STOP HIT, which is very tricky as far as timing, and must occur while they are in preparation, prior to the initiation of their attack.

IF their arm is out AND they look like they are going to attack THEN the rigth of way is theirs. Period. Until they either hit you, finish their attack and miss, abandon the attack (pause or pull back), or you succesfully parry the attack prior to your repost.

This is the "dreaded counter attack" and will usually only get you doubles in epee, and lose topuches in foil. I know I have the affliction and am under strict coaches orders to not persist in doing so. 8-)

Art

[edew]

Such questions are best asked to a live person who can demonstrate and show you the intricacies of the right of way concept. If that person (presumably your coach) cannot effectively explain it to you, I'd suggest getting a new coach.

Of course, there are coaches who have zero idea of what right of way is, and are still coaching and teaching. In that case, you're pretty much screwed.

[Jous]

Yeah I know, but I kinda wanted to know now. Where I go it isn't really a club, it's a place where you take classes with other people. Considering I can only go once or twice a week I didn't want to wait long....I'd probably forget >_^

BTW Thanks Art

[hi5]

from the little i know of sabre and epee. If you make a cut into someone who is about to attack but is not, it is an attack in preparation. from the competetions i have done in sabre the director will call it something like this:"Fencer A was holding his attack, fencer B attacks in preparation".

[Kodiak Kid]

it basically works like this:
if your opponent is "attacking", you must respect his attack and defend against it. If he is merely "getting ready to attack", the stop hit is a viable option. It's gotta make the light go off before your opponent starts his final action.
There's all sort of strategies to get you opponent to "miss" with his attack so your stop hit will be a one lighter but as a beginner you need to concentrate on defending yourself before getting wrapped up in the sneaky stuff.
Good luck and Practice Practice Practice in between classes.