Describe the perfect en garde

[cowpaste]

What do you believe to be the perfect en garde?
What distance is between your feet? At what angle is your front tight bent? Do you arch your back straight or do you kinda relax it? etc...

[AndrewH]

I'm sure that classical diehards have some exact description, but in truth, the perfect engarde is what works for you. For me (a sabrist), it's with both legs bent (for immediate power off the line), back foot at a 45 degree or so angle (again, gives a faster start) and with a slight forward lean (makes it easier to start an attack). Im not too sure about foilists but a lot of epeeists don't pay much attention to engarde positions because there's lots of time once the bout starts to reposition yourself as necessary.

[135711]

I don't believe there is any such thing as a perfect en garde, because so far, there doesn't seem to be anything in the world that is considered to be flawless or perfect. The perfection is in the mind of the person who is trying to describe the Ideal, which was the philosophical grounding of Plato, who, together with a few others did maths together, and saw how it defines or gives definition to the things we see in the world. But for the rest of us, here is one hint; try to keep your front knee in the correct position, according to what you teacher says. In other words, what your teacher showed you to do, try to really do it. There is a tendancy for the student, once they're out of the salle to try to find a 'short cut' or easier way, there is no easy way to learn fencing. What you see in pictures of highly rated fencers, jumping and so forth, only can occur because they've developed a great deal of strength over the years and can do bizaree and odd things on the strip, but a beginner should follow form, and then comes beauty.

[pkt]

cowpaste,

The engarde should be the least of your worries. You should spend more time thinking about what happens after 'Allez' not before.

But to answer your question: It all depends.

It depends on, like andrewH pointed out, which weapon, what you're going to do: attack or defence.

If the action is fast and furious, then you should sit down more. Look at how some of the top fencers come on guard, and learn from that.

But above all else, open you eyes, relax and enjoy.

PK

[jusplainfencing]

i agree that there is no "perfect" en garde i believe if your doing okay with it and its not causing you to do anything slower or sloppy or whatever then thats YOUR perfect en garde i think it come down to every one having their own ways of doing stuff...but overall just have fun!

[D'Artagnan1673]

I may have spent over a year with the rigid, classical en garde. I didn't deviate from that form after allez. I learned a great deal about controlling my actions.

As an epee fencer, I rarely fence in the classical en garde position. I prefer a stance which facilitates greater speed and movement. I keep my back arm down and I don't bend my knees much. I do not always keep my weapon at the same position. Sometimes I will point at my opponent, sometimes to the floor. It is really dependent upon the situationn. Still, I found benefits from fencing the classical style while I was learning the basics.

[pkt]

hey, cowpaste,

Look at this:
http://www.sportec.com/www/rfee/main.htm
Is this the perfection you're looking for?


PK

[achilleus]

Originally posted by pkt
The engarde should be the least of your worries. You should spend more time thinking about what happens after 'Allez' not before.

I disagree that it should be the least of your worries. The engarde, as I perceive it, is a state of physical and mental readiness. If one isn't ready from the get go, they will always be a second behind the opponent who is.

It does depend though. Mobility is so important these days, that the classical guard is not as useful, and since every one's body is different, different positions work for different people.

The important thing keep in mind when going on guard is the reason behind it:

A state of physical and mental readiness

[cowpaste]

Originally posted by pkt
hey, cowpaste,

Look at this:
http://www.sportec.com/www/rfee/main.htm
Is this the perfection you're looking for?


PK

That looks really good, but I was told that my front knee shouldn't go past my ankle. I love his posture though. It looks so arrogant. :P