A basic training guide to Epee

Epee concepts:

 

On guard

Place the non-weapon hand between the elbow and chest and spread the fingers.  The thumb should touch the chest and the tip of the little finger the elbow.  Take care that the fore-arm is level with the ground in this extended position.  Thumb is at 1 o’ clock for right-handed fencers (11 o’ clock for left-handed fencers).  The feet are slightly closer to each-other than in foil (by half the length of the leading foot) although care should be taken not to assume an upright stance.  Be aware that as soon as you enter a threatened area, you should be ready to place 60% of your weight on the rear leg.

 

Distance in epee is measured by the weapon hand and not the torso as in foil (we call it the middle distance of the hand).  Thus you will have to lunge fully in order to reach the opponent’s hand.  This is the initial distance and further maneuvering will be used to lure the opponent within reach of a half lunge.  Bear in mind that this brings you within reach of his attack.  Vary the length of various attacks and in doing so make it very difficult for your opponent to predict the intended distance from which you are going to launch your attack.

Hitting various targets with the proper angulation.
The there are four main angles of attack: Inside, outside, above and below.

Guards and parries
With epee, a good opening guard is octave as it invites the high line attacks and lends more momentum to the percussive parry.  Parries should always be percussive as it misaligns

the opponent’s tip and forces him to use one tempo to realign for another attack.

 

Remise

Upon being parried by an opponent with a tendency to delay his riposte, simply renew your attack along the initial line.  If the parry is excessively wide, disengage to return to the target.

 

Half lunge

Many attacks in epee are delivered with the half lunge.  This gives the opportunity to remise and it allows for defensive actions during the opponent’s counter attack. 

Countering remises
Counter attacks in opposition: (High line and middle line)
Counter attacks to counter low line attacks while removing the leg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The basic point control exercises:

1) (The following is practiced at short distance of the hand) Fencer 1 stays on guard in octave and allows fencer 2 to hit with extension.  Fencer 1 now attempts to engage 2’s blade with a small circular action ending yet again in octave.  Note that only the tip describes a circle and that the arm remains motionless.  This gathering of the blade is performed in both clockwise and counterclockwise manner.  Fencer 2 will now remove his tip during a small controlled disengagement to avoid the attempt to take the blade and ends by hitting the same spot after moving his tip around the guard of 1’s epee.

 

2) Fencers are in short distance of the hand, blades engaged in the high line while fencer 1 leads the repeated advance-retreat distance routine.  Fencer1 will now arbitrarily extend the arm slightly while at the same time opening the outside line of the arm (imitating an attack with weak cover).  Fencer 2 now hits the arm by extending in opposition and covering the proper line, thereby preventing a counter attack.  No movement of the feet is needed during the attacks. Only the movements of the arm are being exercised.  After the hit, both fencers return to on guard.

 

Another variation on the above.  Now fencer 1 presses 2’s blade out of line.  Fencer 2 now disengages to return to the line of attack and hits the arm by extending in the line that covers him from counter attack from fencer1.

 

3) Fencers stand in long distance of the hand.

Fencer 1 leads by advancing and retreating 1 step (always one forwards followed by one backwards, sometimes varying the length and speed of each step).
Fencer 2 keeps the distance and arbitrarily stands his ground when 1 advances, thereby shortening the distance to middle distance (passive shortening of distance since the opponent did the moving).  Fencer 2 should now immediately perform a full lunge to hit the arm of 1.  Fencer 2 recovers and retreats with a firm step (arm still extended).  The exercise now repeats.

Building upon the basics

This text contains items relevant to both ranks 2 and 3

The two lower targets of foil:
The two lower targets are octave (lower outer target) and septime (the lower inner target).
Defence of octave is derived from sixte and is simply a lowering of the point by relaxing the wrist.  The positions of the thumb, wrist and elbow remain unchanged, as does the levelness of the forearm.  Septime is derived from quarte in the same way.
Being able to change from the high guards to the lower guards is important and a few basic concepts will ensure proper execution.
When the change of guard takes place as a parry, the movement is executed as a semi circle.  The semi circle poits to the opposite side of the guard you were in, thus when you were in sixte, the blade is swept down and towards the inside line and back out to end in octave.
The fencer should first train the straight change to octave to get familiarised with the position and then perform it as a semi circle and strive to end in the exact lower position. 
Changing from the lower guard back to the upper guard simply follows the same path outlined by the semi circle.  This introduces the concept of semi-circular parries.
The ripostes from octave and septime are performed along the line of sixte for octave and quarte for septime.

 

Feint, deception:
In order to draw a defensive response from the defender, the fencer will extend the arm as though attacking.  He thus creates a line but does not close the distance.  As the defender closes the line in a parry, the attacker merely disengages without any other movement from the arm or body and then finishes the attack.  It is important for the attacker to avoid any contact with the defender’s blade as this causes him to lose right of way.

Regarding the closing of the line- Since the attacker knows that he will change to the other side of the defender’s blade he will not close the line during the initial creation of the line of attack as doing so will only waste time. 

The simple feint is performed within lunging distance.  From the long distance the fencer will perform a double feint.  This is initiated from the position of octave.  The fencer creates a line of attack during the approaching step and changes as his opponent parries.  As the step is completed the defender will have time to parry the second line of attack and this is also avoided.  Due to the relative position of the opponent’s blade as the attacker finishes the attack, the line is closed during the delivery of the attack.  This is a simple concept and easy to train, but must not be neglected.

 

The beat attack:

The beat attack is a percussive attack on the opponent’s blade in order to open a line to attack.  It is also used to draw reactions from which to work off.  In essence the beat is a rapid lateral change of guard.  It should not be preceded by a twitch or any other movement that will give away your intentions.  Care should be taken not to allow the tip to deviate off line as this removes your threat to your opponent’s target area.  Beat attacks can be performed from sixte to quarte and in reverse.  Later they are also performed from the high line to the lower line and in reverse.

 

Coupé:
The coupé or cut-over is a form of disengagement that passes over the opponent’s blade.  The tip of the blade is rapidly raised until clearing the opponent’s blade and this is then normally followed by the attack.  This rapid movement is executed with both fingers and wrist.  Care should be taken not to move the rest of the arm.

 

Dérobement:
The evasion of the opponent’s attempt to take the blade by executing a circular movement, much like a simple disengagement.

Double:
Evading the opponent’s attempt to intercept the blade with a circular parry by performing an evasive circle in the same direction during the attack.  This is not premeditated, but the fencer must take note of the opponent’s response to the attack and then evade if needed.  It is also used in the situation where the counter parry and riposte of the opponent is avoided by disengaging during the riposte, thus evading the parry.

Jump:

The fencer can also perform jumps in order to break the rhythm of footwork.  There should be no change in elevation.  It builds on the basics of the firm step in that the leading foot kicks out strongly.  In this case both feet leave the ground at the same time and also land the same way.  Posture before and after a jump remains the same.  Before fencers are taught to jump forward and backwards, they should perform stationary jumps in which the body does not move at all.  Thus the jump merely consists of pulling the legs up to the body and allowing them to reach the floor again.
The jump can later be combined with the lunge and this creates the foundation for the ballestra.

 

Cross stepping:
As the name implies the step is performed by allowing the front leg to pass beyond the rear leg and the other way around.  This is very simple, but care must be taken not to change elevation and the step should be delivered in a quick and crisp action.  Delivering steps of varying length is part of the technique.

Circular parries:

The circular parry is executed by describing a clockwise circle with the tip of the blade when in the guard of sixte and if the fencer is right-handed.  For the left-handed fencer it is anti-clockwise.  In the guard of quarte the direction of movement is reversed.   Movement is controlled by the fingertips with no movement of the arm at all.  At the end of the parry the position should be the same as before the parry.

Passata de Sotto:
This is an esquive or displacement of the target area.  It is important to have the back upright while going down.  The fencer is allowed to place the non-weapon hand on the floor for balance.  The drop of target area is accompanied by extension into a line of attack.

Backward Lunge:

The backward lunge is simply half a firm step backwards as the lunge is half a firm step forward.
It can be used as defence by displacement and is also used to deliver a counter attack without closing the distance, important when the opponent is already rapidly closing the distance.

Remise:
This is simply a renewed attack performed after a failed attack without any further movement of the body or blade.  The tip is simply returned to the line after a beat or parry took it off line.

Reprise:
The attack is renewed by first returning to the en garde position either forward or backward.  This is then followed immediately be the new attack.

Redoublement:
The attack is renewed without recovering from the lunge.  There is only action of the blade by changing lines of attack.

The Line:
This is the extension of the arm in the high attacking line of either sixte, quarte or in the long line.
The tip should threaten the valid target of the opponent at all times as right of way is lost as soon as the tip no longer threatens  the valid target area, either by the tip being moved, or by the opponent moving off line.  This is used to hit an approaching opponent that launches disorganised attacks and attacks without preparation.  It can also be used to draw a response to react to.  Attempts by the opponent to take or contact the blade are avoided by disengagement without breaking the line of extension.  Care must also be taken not to move the tip so far that it no longer threatens.
The use of dérobement in this situation is more difficult as the arm is extended.  This must be practiced frequently to fine-tune the crispness and accuracy of the movement.

Marius Titus
Maître

Theoretical guideline for Rank 1

Boland Ranking System: Rank 1 Theory

Right of Way

The basic rule is that the attacker has the right-of-way. This means that the fencer who initiates the action will score the hit, if it arrives straight away, regardless of the actions of the other fencer (the defender). Once attacked, a defender must either avoid being hit, or parry and riposte.

Piste Layout

The total length of the piste (fencing strip) is 14 metres. 

 

Parts of the Blade

The blades of any of the three weapons are divided into two parts, namely the forté and the foible.  The foible is the thinner front part of the blade that can flex and the forté is the non-flexible part near to the guard. 

The Reason for White Fencing Clothing

White fencing clothing were worn by duellists who did not want to fight their opponents to the death.  Such duels were usually fought till one opponent drew first blood and he would then be declared the victor.  The white clothing was there so that the blood could be seen clearly.  This tradition is carried forth today in modern sports fencing. 

The Proper Way to Set a Blade

Usually when one purchases a new blade, the blade and the tang is perfectly straight.  To maximise proper performance with your blade, the blade needs to be set.  This means it has to be bent where the tang and the blade meets in such a way that the blade is pointed slightly downwards and towards your inner target area (to the left for right-handers and vice versa for left-handers).  The amount of bend in the blade depends on a fencers individual preference. 

Grip Types

There are two types of grips used on both the foil and Epeé.  A french grip, which is straight, and a pistol grip that is shaped almost like a pistol's.  The Sabre always comes with a straight grip.  The french grip was the one originially used since the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, and the pistol grip was only developed later as an orthopedic grip (for fencers suffering from arthritis and other wrist problems). 

The Importance of the Posture

The proper fencing posture consists of a few different parts.  They are: 

• The feet must be at a 90° angle and a comfortable distance from each other (± shoulder width).  The heels must be in a straight line with the front foot always pointed directly ahead in the line that you want to move.  This ensures that the fencer will always move in a straight line and doesn't veer off course. 
• The knees must be properly bent and the fencer should stand with a suitable low center of gravity.  The body must also always be upright.  This ensures stability and good balance so the fencer would not fall over too easily when moving at speed. 
• The fencer must stand with his front arm extended the correct distance away from his body (the width of a fist for foil & sabre and the width of a hand for epeé).  The front part of the arm (from elbow to wrist) is kept parrallel to the floor. 

·         The non-fencing hand is held high, level with the fencer's ear.  The reasons are:

 

1. It opens up the chest to fascilitate ease of breathing.
2. When you stand as described, you present a smaller target area to your opponent.
3. The upheld hand steers the direction of your blades point, much like a rudder steers a ship.  Without it, your point is likely to veer off line.

Other Important Theory

THE DEVELOPMENT Is the extension of the sword arm followed by the lunge.

 

THE RECOVERY Is the return to the ‘On Guard’ position

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ENGAGEMENT When two fencers have their swords crossed, they are termed as being in a state of Engagement.

 

COVERING To be covered, is to engage in such a way that the line in which the swords are crossed is closed to a direct thrust

 

FENCING MEASURE Is the distance which a fencer keeps in relationship to the opponent. It is such that he cannot be hit unless his opponent lunges fully.

 

INDIRECT ATTACK The disengage, counter-disengage and the cut-over: when the final line of attack follows a feint.

 

COMPOUND ATTACKS Any attack comprising one or more feints

 

DEFENCE The principle of opposition of Forte to Foible in order to deflect the attacking blade.

A RIPOSTE Is the offensive action following successful parry of an attack.

 

A COUNTER RIPOSTE Is the offensive action following the successful parry of a riposte or counter riposte. They are numbered, the original attacker making the odd numbered ones and the original defender the even ones.

 

FENCING TIME Is the time taken by a fencer to execute a movement of arm, blade, body or leg, or any of these simultaneously.

 

SECOND INTENTION Is a premeditated action dealing with a provoked movement.

 

A REMISE Is the immediate replacing of the point in the same line after been parried.

 

THE STOP HIT Is a counter offensive action made on an opponents attack or preparation. To be valid, it must precede the attacking hit by at least one period of fencing time.

 

Drills for unranked fencers

Basic drills and concepts that form the foundation of proper fencing.

Posture:
Should be balanced and relaxed.
Fencer must be able to assume proper posture at any time.
Key points: Feet are at 90 degrees, shoulder width apart.
                                Sword arm has the forearm level with the ground.
                                Both heels are on the line, as well as the leading knee.
                                Tip of leading shoe should be visible in front of leading knee.
                                Sword arm has elbow a fist width away from chest with elbow on the line, wrist off                         the line, fingertips touching the line. (Hand is held with thumb to the outside line, 1
or 11 o’ clock.  Fingers straight in line as extensions from the back of the hand)
The weight is distributed evenly on both legs 50/50.

Footwork:
Advance starts with leading foot, the rear foot is pulled in as soon as the front one touches the ground.  The distance between the feet remains constant after each step.  Thus posture before and after the step must be identical with no deviation in height of posture or distance between feet.
The body should not lean forward or backward and rocking and swaying leads to bad form and weak defence.  Movement comes from the knees downwards, there is little to no movement from the rest of the body.

Retreat starts with the rear foot and ends with the front foot being pulled in as the rear foot touches the ground.
Steps should not become hops or short leaps, constant flowing movement that is smooth, yet fast and crisp.  No wasted movements should be allowed as movement comes from the legs below the knee alone.  As stated, posture before and after stepping remains unchanged.  Fencer should be able to perform these drills blindfolded.

Deviation from the line during advance and retreat results from poor posture, especially regarding the orientation of the leading knee.  Blindfolded advance and retreat exercises reveal these tendencies early.

The three steps:
These are Normal, Passive and Firm.
With the passive step the foot that is extended first is straightened fully with absolutely no other movement from the entire body.  Only as the leading foot touches the ground does the other foot pull in, moving the body in the direction of the step.
With the firm step there are two actions that must be executed at the same time.  Failure to do so will result in a weak approach or retreat and bad form and posture.  The first leg to move is shot out straight to full extension in a strong kicking action and while the leading foot is still off the ground, the other leg straightens out horizontally without altering the height of posture.  As the leading foot touches the ground, the other foot is drawn in crisply and quickly, resulting in an accelerated step.  The firm step is always preceded by the extension of the arm, regardless of it being advance or retreat.  The arm is only retracted after the recovery.

Distance:
The ability to maintain a constant distance between oneself and the partner.
This means that movement is responsive, the leading partner simply performing steps either stipulated or arbitrarily, while the other must maintain the distance.  After each step the distance must be the same as in the beginning.  Later the partner will give signals for the other to extend and hit the palm.  The signal is given with a straight arm to prevent inconsistencies. 
At first the extension as delivered as purely an arm movement, but later it is delivered with the firm step.

Extension:
Extension of the arm is not pushed from the shoulder, but  delivered as though the arm is being pulled from the fingertips.
Extended arm has the wrist above the shoulder, thumb still at the proper angle and the fingertips pointing downward.  Shoulder and fingertips are on the line while the elbow and wrist are now off the line.  Extensions are delivered along the line of the guard the fencer was in.
After extension, the arm is retracted into the exact position it was in prior to the extension.
There should be no wasted movement besides the extension and the recovery to the guard.
The fencer must be able to deliver extension from both lines with equal ease, also during target drills.
Fencer must later be able to change the guard and follow it with immediate extension along the new line.

Blade control:
Holding the weapon: Be sure to grip the weapon correctly at all times.
The index finger and thumb control the movement while the other fingers merely assist in holding the grip securely.
Grip firmly, yet not hard.
Practice the ability to flex blade properly on impact.  There is never any excuse for inability to control blade flexion.
The student must learn the concept of engagement of blades in conjunction with the guards.  The disengagement preceding the extension is learned.  Disengagement is the changing of the line from outside the partner’s guard to inside it to access the open target.  This movement must be small and crisp.
En garde with engagement with both fencers in a proper guard results in a situation of mutual safety.  Thus an attack along the line of engagement will result in deflexion of the opponent’s blade and the opening of a line for the defender to extend into.
This concept is later taught as parry and riposte drills.
The attacker must first disengage to access the open target.  The defender must wait for the approach of the tip until it is close to his open target before simply changing the guard to close the target.  At the moment of blade contact, the arm is extended along the new line in a riposte that hits the opponent in the open target.  At the completion of this drill, both fencers return to en garde with blades in engagement, paying attention not to add any wasted movements.

Extension of your weapon into the open target of your partner gives you a line of attack.  The line of attack can be either sixte or quarte.  Once you have established a line of attack, the distance between the tip of your weapon and the target must be closed with the proper footwork.

After this the concept of closing your open target by changing your line of extension is taught.  The change takes place after the disengagement is complete and during the extension as you create the line of attack.  This will prevent the opponent from launching a straight attack into your opening target.
Remember that a disengagement without a following extension results in both fencers being uncovered.  If both are to change guard the initial state of mutual safety is restored.
This concept of disengagement followed by change of guard should be practiced frequently.

 

The target:
The target consists of the torso, the back included.  This is divided into 4 quarters, two upper and two lower.  The upper outside line is Sixte, the upper inside is Quarte.

The outside line is that of the sword arm.
The other two lower areas are dealt with later.
Your en garde position should cover one of the two upper targets, especially Sixte as it is closest to your opponent.

 

 

 

 

Marius Titus
Maître

The Ranking system guide

Boland Fencing ranking system

Rank 1 - Commençant

Student must prove that he has mastered the following in partner drill test:

 

Practice

·         Salute and etiquette

·         Distance

·         En guarde

·         Sixte + Quarte

·         Weapon Control

·         Measured Steps

·         Lunge + Recovery

·         Straight parry and riposte (sixte and quarte)

·         Point Control

·         Proper grip for both French- and pistol grips

·         Step-lunge

 

Theory

·         Right of way

·         Piste lay-out

·         Parts of blade

·         The reason for white fencing clothing

·         The proper way to set a blade

·         Grip types; Why pistol grip was developed

·         The importance of the posture

Privileges

Student may now engage in free play bouts.

Rank 2 - Légionnaire

Student must prove that he has mastered the following in partner drill test:

 

Practice

·         Jump

·         Jump-lunge

·         Feint

·         Feint 1-2

·         Beat attack

·         Octave-Septime

·         Semi circular parries

·         Circular parries

·         Esquive of Passata Sotto

·         Backwards-lunge

·         Appél

·         Ballestra lunge

·         Coupé

·         The keeping of distance with change of cadence

Student must also pass the Rank 1 test during stipulated freeplay

Privileges

1. Students may now preside Rank 1 and 2 bouts.
2. Student may take up a new weapon

Rank 3 - Adepte

Student must prove that he has mastered the following in partner drill test:

 

Practice

·         Arret

·         Moulenet

·         Redoublement

·         Flêche

·         Prime ancient

·         Esquives of Volte and inqatata

·         Beat-feint

·         Mobility (Bounciness)

·         Attack of second intention to store with counter riposte

·         Same as above, but with feint

Pass Rank 2 test during stipulated free play
Prove level 1 understanding of new weapon (Familiar)

Privileges

Students may now preside Rank 1-3 bouts.

Rank 4 - Avancé

Theory

• Attacking styles (Simple; with feints; with action on blade)
• Styles (Defensive; counter attacking; waiting style of game)

Must pass Rank 3 test during stipulated free play

Prove level 2 understanding of 2nd weapon

Privileges

Student may take up 3rd weapon

Rank 5 - Seconde avancé

Theory

Composition of standard technical movements/Fencing actions

Practice

• Prove level 3 understanding of 2nd weapon
• Prove level 2 understanding of 3rd weapon

Rank 6 - Tiers avancé

Practice

• Pass stipulated free play tests in all weapons 80% pass
• Pass Rank 5 theory 80% pass
• Prove level 3 understanding of 3rd weapon

Rank 7 - Précepteur

Must show proper form in all 3 weapons regarding all techniques.

Student must learn how to instruct in both group lesson and private lesson..

Rank 8 - Maître

Candidate must complete and pass a 2 year course under a certified instructor.

Must be familiar with latest FIE rules and regulations.