Behold the power of a feint in foil.

[CvilleFencer]

Originally posted by daeceg
Question: against lefties, have you found it somewhat easier to score shots on the back?

I actually find the opposite to be true! I think it is a bit easier to flick lefties in the weapon shoulder, and then play with feints to that shoulder that turn into flicks to the flanks, to the other shoulder, or just straight lunges to the chest. I think I actually prefer to fence lefties as opposed to right-handed fencers.

Most of the lefties that I fence are rated a couple of notches above me though, and so I do not usually get much of a crack at shots to the back. I usually get them with my fist plan/attack or they somehow fight through it all and smoke me! I do not have a whole lot of experience against lefties at my own level.

I am glad the move worked out for you a little by the way. I like it a lot!

[MyraTrue]

My first epee instruction came from a Lefty, and I agree that I prefere to fence them over right handed people like myself. The best thing I ever realized fencing a leftie is that their parry 6 is not nearly as good as their 4, so if you make a fast feint straight in, and disengage into their 6, it works fairly well.

I also have similar problems that most of the lefties are higher rated than I am, and generally I'm not fencing them because of that. I wish our club had more of them.

Myra

[daeceg]

In epee and saber, since the target area is expanded, lefties don't have quite the same advantage as they do in foil...

I like the challenge...and I find that point control gets a lot more critical. Since we steam-fence, we don't flick very often...makes lefties even tougher, I think.

[WoodsideDr]

Originally posted by rvergara
My favorite move is a counter-six beat, feint, disengage while doing a balestra-lunge.

..and we wonder why people think this sport is unapproachable.

[swordsen]

I love the opening message on this thread. It is one of my favorite moments as a coach when a student get s that "Oh Wow, It works!" moment.

[Dragonfly]

Feints are nice, I like to use them, they're all good attacks, but in fencing people I've never fenced before, what I try to do; is try to watch one of their bouts to get the jist of the power behind their fencing; if they're really strong fencers I concentrate on keeping my distance, don't let them take the blade, and really fence up for a bout; if they fence 'light' but fast, I'm mainly dead, because it means they don't take the blade, so I have to really watch closely, so don't fall asleep while I fence; and the other strategy is just to keep the wrist strong and don't lose heart for the riposte - I think keeping the wrist strong and keeping the mind focused is what I strive for. Someone in another thread wrote something very interesting, "be formless" it was exactly what I had hoped to understand, and am working on.

[frenzl]

I like to use a feint with a beat. beat in four then feint in four, disengage(and since they're coming back with a lot of power it works even better) into six and extend. I tworks a lot of the time if done smoothely.

[Kodiak Kid]

I like to throw a really fast and hard straight lunge, disengage if necessary, just to set up my feints for later. hey if it lands, Great! But even if it doesn't they'll know/think I'm coming for them again.