Concept: Each action you take in fencing contains a decision point. At the end of an advance you ask yourself: Am I close enough to attack? Are they stopping to make and attack on preparation? Are they defending their 4? etc. Your job is to train yourself to make the right decisions at the right time.
When bouting in the fencing club, or even when executing drills, you will notice that fencers beat the blade in different ways at different times. Examining the different ways to beat the blade can help you come up with additional strategies for defeating your opponent's use of the beat and, more importantly, to set up your own actions more effectively.
Beats. How to use different types of beats for different situations.
When bouting in the fencing club, or even when executing drills, you will notice that fencers beat the blade in different ways at different times. Examining the different ways to beat the blade can help you come up with additional strategies for defeating your opponent's use of the beat and, more importantly, to set up your own actions more effectively.
Feint Deceive Exercises, Part II (P: Pupil, L: Leader)
1. Slow - Fast Tempo Exercise
L: Straight attack with lunge P: Slow circular parry with retreat L: Remain parried in the lunge P: Change engagement and opposition riposte
What is going on here? Let's say that the attack was to 4 and the pupil uses counter-6 for the parry. The pupil now changes engagement to 4 and extends the arm, keeping the leader's blade trapped in opposition.
While not suitable for an attacker with a quick remise, this riposte clears the blade out a second time and makes it more difficult for the leader to execute a counter-riposte.
2. Slow - Fast Defense and Offense Exercise
A. L: Straight attack with lunge P: Slow circular parry with retreat L: Remain parried in the lunge P: Change engagement and opposition riposte
B. P: Engage or change engagement with advance L: Retreat, supporting the engagement P: Change engagement with opposition attack and hit with lunge.
What is going on here? In 'B' we have drill #1 as an attack. Starting in normal enguard (both in 4, assuming same-handed fencers), the student presses 4 on the advance, then executes a counter-6 engagement with the lunge. This quickly clears the blade away from the target and gives control to the attacker.
In order to be most effective, the slow/fast tempo change is needed. Execute the engagement as a slow tempo, then the counter engagement as a fast tempo.
3. Slow - Fast Active Rest Exercise (No Hits)
A. P: Engage or change engagement 4 with advance L: Retreat, supporting the engagement P: Beat 4, extend (no hit or lunge)
B. P: Engage or change engagement 6 with advance L: Retreat, supporting the engagement P: Change beat 4, extend (no hit or lunge)
4. Direct or Indirect Riposte Exercise
A. L: Straight attack with lunge P: Lateral parry with direct opposition riposte (no retreat)
B. L: Straight attack with lunge P: Lateral parry L: Anticipates riposte and begins to parry P: Disengage riposte
5. Direct or Indirect Riposte Choice
A. L: Disengage feint with beginning of the lunge P: Attempt circular parry L: Deceive and complete lunge P: Lateral parry and direct opposition riposte
B. L: Disengage feint with beginning of the lunge P: Attempt circular parry L: Deceive and complete lunge P: Lateral parry L: Anticipates riposte and begins to parry (remaining in the lunge) P: Disengage riposte
1. Feint Deceive Decision Exercise A. P: Begin Attack (Simultaneous Tempo) L: No reaction P: Continue attack and hit
B. P: Begin attack (Simultaneous Tempo) L: Attempt to parry P: Deceive and hit on the completion of the lunge
NOTES: + It is easier for the student if the deceive is into the line of 4 + The Leader's parry should not be early + The student should execute the deceive during the lunge
2. Feint Deceive or Beat Attack Option (This should be from advance lunge distance.)
A. L: Begins advance (no extension) P: Feint with the beginning of the lunge L: Attempt to parry on the completion of the advance P: Deceive and hit on the completion of the lunge
B. L: Extend and advance P: Beat attack with lunge
3. Simple Attack or Feint Attack Option
A. P: Begin straight attack L: Attempt to parry P: Hit, if possible, on straight attack L: Hit, if possible, on a riposte if the parry is successful
B. P: Begin straight attack L: Attempt to parry P: Deceive and hit with the completion of lunge, if possible L: Attempt a second parry and riposte if the parry is successful
4. Slow/Fast Cue Perception
A. L: Give slow invitation cue (Open a line) P: Straight attack
B. L: Give fast invitation cue P: Feint with the beginning of the lunge L: Attempt to parry P: Deceive and hit with completion of the lunge
5. Double' Exercise
A. P: Disengage feint with the beginning of the lunge L: Attempt a circular parry P: Deceive attempted parry and hit on completion of the lunge
6. Double'- Deceive Exercise
A. P: Disengage feint with beginning of the lunge L: Attempt a circular parry P: Deceive attempted parry and continue the lunge L: Attempt a second parry (lateral) P: Deceive the 2nd parry and hit with completion of the lunge
NOTE - If you can not do all of the actions within one lunge, seperate each action (parry/deceive) into an advance with a lunge at the final action. If you do the drills this way, the Leader must maintain distance until the lunge.
