200+ Fencing Glossary of Common Terms

Ever felt like you were in a foreign land when listening to fencing lingo?

Well, you’re not alone!

Fencing, with its centuries-old history, comes with a language that’s as rich and complex as the sport itself.

Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn the basics of fencing swords or a seasoned fencer brushing up on fencing glossary of common terminology, this fencing glossary is your one-stop shop.

Fencing Glossary of Terms and Definitions

• Absence of Blade: This term refers to a situation where the fencers’ blades are not in contact. It’s a strategic position, often used to prepare for an attack or to confuse the opponent about your next move.
• Abstain: In fencing, when a judge (or referee) abstains, it means they have decided not to make a call on a particular action, usually due to uncertainty or an obscured view of the touch.
• Academic Assault: This is more of a demonstration or practice bout, often used for teaching purposes or to demonstrate fencing techniques without the pressure of competition.
• Advance: One of the basic footwork techniques in fencing, an advance is a forward step towards the opponent. It’s used to close the distance in preparation for an attack.
• Advance-lunge: A combination of two movements, starting with an advance followed immediately by a lunge. This extended movement is used to surprise an opponent by quickly closing a large distance.
• Aids: Refers to the last three fingers of the hand holding the sword. These fingers support the grip and play a crucial role in controlling the weapon.
• Allez!: French for “Go!”, this command is given by the referee to signal the start of action or to resume fencing after a halt.
• Analysis: The process of breaking down and understanding the sequence of moves and counter-moves within a bout. It helps fencers and coaches develop strategies and improve performance.
• Angulation: The act of creating an angle with the blade relative to the arm, used to reach around an opponent’s parry or guard. It’s a technique for hitting the target area from a less direct, and often unexpected, angle.
• Annulment of Hit: This occurs when a touch initially considered valid is later deemed invalid due to a rule infringement, such as the touch landing outside the valid target area.
• Appel: A footwork technique where the fencer stamps the ground with the ball of their front foot. It’s often used to feint or distract an opponent, or to test their reaction.
• Assault: A friendly bout between fencers, usually not part of a formal competition. It can be used for practice, sparring, or demonstration purposes.
• Attack: Any offensive action aimed at hitting the opponent’s valid target area. The attack initiates the action within a fencing bout, setting the stage for the defender to respond.
• Attack on Preparation: An offensive move made when an opponent is preparing to attack but hasn’t fully executed their move. It exploits the moment of vulnerability during their preparation.
• Avertissement: A warning issued by the referee for minor rule infractions. Receiving an avertissement can lead to penalties if infractions continue.
• Avoidance: A defensive tactic where the fencer moves their body out of the way of an incoming attack, without necessarily using the blade to parry. This can include movements like ducking or stepping aside.
• Back Edge: The non-cutting edge of a sabre blade. In sabre fencing, both the cutting edge and the back edge can score hits, unlike in foil and epee where only the point is used.
• Backward Spring: A quick, backward leap used to evade an attack. It’s a form of retreat that can create distance between fencers suddenly.
• Balestra: A fencing movement that combines a small hop forward with an immediate lunge. It’s a dynamic action used to surprise the opponent and quickly close distance.
• Barrage: A tie-breaker bout used in fencing competitions when fencers are tied in a pool or elimination round. It determines who advances or wins the competition.
• Baudry Point: A safety feature used on epee tips to prevent penetration. Named after its inventor, it’s a protective collar placed around the point of the epee to enhance safety without affecting the weapon’s functionality.
• Beat: A tactical blade action aimed at knocking the opponent’s blade aside or disrupting their position. It’s used both to create an opening for an attack and to unsettle the opponent.
• Bib: The part of the fencing mask that covers the neck and throat. Made of resistant material, it provides crucial protection for the lower face and neck area.
• Bind: A maneuver where a fencer controls their opponent’s blade by capturing it with their own (typically moving from high to low or inside to outside line) and steering it away to create an opening for an attack.
• Black Card: The most severe penalty in fencing, resulting in the immediate expulsion of the fencer or other participant from the competition. It’s given for serious breaches of conduct.
• Blade: The metal part of the fencing weapon, which includes the point and edges (for sabre). It’s the primary tool for making attacks and defending against the opponent’s moves.
• Body Wire: A cable that connects a fencer’s weapon to the scoring system. It runs under the fencer’s jacket and transmits the signal when a valid touch is made.
• Bout: A competitive fencing match consisting of a series of exchanges or phrases, with points scored for valid hits. The bout continues until a fencer reaches the target score or time expires.
• Breaking Ground: A tactical retreat or stepping backward. This term refers to the action of moving away from the opponent, often to reset the action or to create distance for defense.
• Breeches: Knee-length pants worn by fencers as part of the protective clothing. They are designed to provide safety and mobility, fastening securely to avoid any gaps in protection.
• Broken Time: A technique used to disrupt the opponent’s timing or anticipation. It involves altering the rhythm or speed of an attack or movement, making it harder for the opponent to predict or counter.
• Brutality: Actions deemed excessively violent or dangerous, violating the rules of sportsmanship and safety in fencing. Such actions can lead to penalties, including disqualification.
• Button: The protective tip placed on the end of a non-electric (practice) fencing foil or epee. It prevents injury by covering the sharp point of the blade.
• Cadence: Refers to the rhythm or tempo of movements within a fencing bout. Understanding and controlling cadence can give a fencer tactical advantages by making actions harder to predict or counter.
• Ceding Parry: Also known as a yielding parry, this defensive move involves giving way to the opponent’s pressure during a bind or engagement, then redirecting their blade to a different line to set up a counterattack.
• Central Guard: A neutral, ready position where the fencer’s blade is positioned centrally, equidistant from the inside and outside lines. It offers balanced protection and flexibility for responding to attacks.
• Change Beat: A beat executed after changing the engagement or line, used to deceive the opponent and create an opening for an attack.
• Change of Engagement: Shifting the point of blade contact from one line to another, often to gain a tactical advantage or to initiate a different line of attack.
• Chest Protector: The chest protectors in fencing is a piece of protective equipment worn under the jacket, primarily by female fencers, to shield the chest area from impacts. It’s made of rigid material to disperse the force of hits.
• Choice Reaction: The time it takes for a fencer to respond to an unpredictable action from their opponent. It measures the fencer’s ability to quickly choose the correct response among multiple options.
• Circle Beat: A beat attack made with a circular motion, intended to displace the opponent’s blade and create an opening for a subsequent attack.
• Circular Parry: A defensive action where the blade moves in a circular motion to catch and deflect an incoming attack. This type of parry can redirect the opponent’s blade away, creating a moment to launch a counterattack.
• Close Quarters: Situations where fencers are in very close proximity to each other, making traditional lunges and attacks difficult. Fighting at close quarters requires specialized techniques and strategies.
• Commanding the Blade: An illegal action where a fencer grabs or otherwise manipulates the opponent’s blade with their non-sword hand. This is against the rules and can result in penalties.
• Competition: An organized event where fencers face off in bouts to determine rankings or a winner. Competitions can range from local club meets to international championships.
• Compound Actions: Actions that combine two or more simple movements into a single, continuous motion. These can include compound attacks, feints, and parries, designed to outmaneuver an opponent’s defense.
• Compound Attack: An attack that incorporates one or more feints to deceive the opponent and create an opening for the real attack. It’s a strategy to break through a defensive guard.
• Compound Prises de Fer: Complex actions involving multiple engagements or takes of the blade without losing contact. These maneuvers aim to control or manipulate the opponent’s blade to gain a tactical advantage.
• Compound Riposte: A riposte that includes one or more feints before delivering the actual counterattack. This technique is used to bypass the opponent’s parry or defense.
• Conventions: The set of rules that govern the conduct of bouts for each fencing weapon (foil, epee, sabre), including right of way, target areas, and valid touches.
• Conversation: The back-and-forth exchange of blade actions between fencers during a bout. It’s a metaphor for the tactical dialogue that occurs through attacks, parries, and counterattacks.
• Coquille: The bell-shaped guard of a foil or epee, designed to protect the hand from hits. It also serves as a counterweight to balance the weapon.
• Corps a Corps: Physical contact between fencers during a bout. While incidental contact may not be penalized, deliberate corps a corps to avoid a touch or gain an advantage is against the rules in foil and epee.
• Coule (Glide/Graze): A smooth, gliding action of the blade along the opponent’s blade, typically used in an attack to maintain contact and control over the opponent’s weapon.
• Counter Attack: An offensive action made in response to an attack from the opponent. It can be executed with or without right of way, depending on the timing and the weapon being used.
• Counter Disengagement: A maneuver used to evade the opponent’s attempt to parry by changing the line of attack at the last moment. It’s a counter to a counter, adding a layer of deceit.
• Counter Parry: A parry made in response to an opponent’s riposte, aiming to regain the initiative and create an opportunity for a counter-riposte.
• Counter Riposte: A riposte following a successful counter parry. It’s a further extension of the fencing conversation, where one fencer tries to outmaneuver the other’s defensive action.
• Counter Time: A tactic where a fencer invites a counterattack with the intention of parrying it and launching a riposte. It’s a higher-level strategy that plays on the opponent’s expectations.
• Croise: A type of prise de fer where the fencer forces the opponent’s blade into a high or low line on the same side, using the strong part of their own blade (the forte) to gain control.
• Cross over: A footwork technique where one foot crosses over the other, either forward or backward, to quickly change position or distance on the piste. It’s often used to rapidly close in on an opponent or to retreat.
• Cut: In sabre fencing, a slashing attack made with the edge of the blade. Unlike foil and epee, where hits are made with the point, sabre allows for cutting actions to score.
• Cut-over (Coupe): An attacking maneuver where the fencer’s blade passes over the opponent’s blade to hit a target area. It’s a swift, indirect attack designed to evade a parry.
• Deception: The act of misleading the opponent about one’s intended action. Deception can involve feints, changes of rhythm, or misleading blade movements to create openings for attacks.
• Defence: The strategies and actions employed to prevent an opponent from landing a hit. This can include parries, evasions, and counterattacks.
• Delayed: An action, particularly an attack, that is intentionally executed slower or with a pause to disrupt the opponent’s timing or to draw them into a premature reaction.
• Derobement: A defensive maneuver where the fencer avoids an opponent’s attempt to engage or take the blade. It’s a skillful evasion of contact that can set up a counterattack.
• Detachment: The moment when engaged blades lose contact, either deliberately or accidentally. This can reset the engagement and force fencers to adapt their strategies.
• Development: The extension of the arm in a thrusting motion, typically leading into a lunge. It’s a fundamental action for delivering attacks.
• Diagonal Parry: A parry that moves the opponent’s blade diagonally across the fencer’s body, effectively covering both high and low lines. It’s versatile and can lead to various riposte opportunities.
• Direct: Any action, especially an attack, that travels along the shortest path to the target without feints or detours. Direct actions are straightforward and quick, aiming for efficiency.
• Direct Elimination: A tournament format where fencers are eliminated after a loss, contrasting with pool bouts where all fencers compete in a round-robin before moving to elimination rounds.
• Disciplinary Code: The set of rules that governs the conduct of fencers and officials, ensuring fair play, sportsmanship, and safety during competitions.
• Disengagement: A technique where the fencer’s blade moves under or over the opponent’s blade to avoid a parry and hit the target. It’s a fundamental skill for creating openings.
• Displacement: The movement of a target area away from an incoming attack, often used in conjunction with a defensive action to avoid being hit.
• Disqualification: The removal of a fencer from a competition due to a serious rule violation. Disqualifications can affect individual bouts or entire events.
• Distance: The physical space between the fencers. Managing distance is crucial for timing attacks and defenses effectively.
• Doublé: A compound attack that involves circling the opponent’s blade before landing a hit. It’s designed to deceive the opponent and bypass their defenses.
• Double Action: When both fencers initiate an offensive action simultaneously. In epee, this can result in both fencers scoring a point.
• Double Defeat: A rare scenario in epee fencing where both fencers reach the maximum number of hits simultaneously, resulting in a tie.
• Double Hits: In epee fencing, when both fencers score a hit at the same time. The scoring system registers hits from both fencers, reflecting the absence of right of way in epee.
• Double Prise de Fer: A complex action involving two consecutive engagements of the opponent’s blade, aiming to gain control and create an opening for an attack.
• Double Time: A technique where a parry and riposte are executed in two distinct time frames, as opposed to a single, fluid action. It can catch opponents off-guard.
• Draw: In the context of a tournament, this refers to the process of determining the matchups or order of bouts. The draw can be crucial in setting the path a fencer might take through the competition.
• Dry: A term used to describe fencing without electronic scoring aids, also known as “steam” fencing. Hits are usually judged visually by referees, making it more traditional but challenging in terms of accurate scoring.
• Duration of Bout: The total time allocated for a fencing match, which can vary depending on the competition rules and the stage of the event. Time management can be a critical strategy within bouts.
• Earthing of Guard: A safety measure in electric fencing where the metal parts of the guard are grounded to prevent false signals on the scoring apparatus. This ensures only valid hits are registered.
• Earthing of Piste: Similar to earthing of the guard, this involves grounding the metallic piste to prevent it from registering hits, maintaining the accuracy of scoring.
• Elbow Guard: Optional protective gear worn on the sword arm to safeguard against hits. It’s an extra layer of safety for fencers, especially in intense exchanges.
• Electric Weapons: Modern fencing weapons (foil, epee, sabre) equipped with electronic scoring capabilities. These weapons have a mechanism at the tip (or edge, for sabre) to register hits on valid target areas.
• Electrical Apparatus: The scoring system used in competitive fencing that lights up to indicate valid hits. It includes the body wire, reel, and scoring box, providing immediate feedback during bouts.
• En Garde: The fundamental stance in fencing from which all movements and actions begin. It’s also the command given to fencers to assume this ready position at the start of a bout or after a halt.
• Engagement: The contact between fencers’ blades. Engagements can be used to feel out the opponent’s intentions, control their blade, or set up attacks.
• Envelopment: A blade action where the fencer circles their opponent’s blade, often leading to a prise de fer or setting up an attack. It’s a way to gain dominance in the blade conversation.
• Epee: One of the three weapons used in fencing, characterized by a heavier blade and a larger guard. Hits can be scored with the point on the entire body, and there is no right of way.
• Extension: The straightening of the arm in preparation for or during an attack. It’s crucial for reaching the target and is often the first part of an attacking movement, like a lunge.
• False Attack: A feint or deceptive move designed to elicit a reaction from the opponent without intending to land a hit. It’s a strategic tool to create openings for a real attack.
• Feint: A deceptive movement mimicking an attack, aimed at provoking a defensive action from the opponent. Feints are used to set up the actual intended strike by misleading the opponent.
• Fencing Line: The imaginary line that connects the fencers’ feet, indicating their relative positions. It helps fencers gauge distance and angle for attacks and defenses.
• Fencing Measure: The optimal distance within which a fencer can successfully hit their opponent with an attack, such as a lunge. Managing measure is key to controlling engagements.
• Fencing Position: The specific stance or guard a fencer adopts, influenced by their strategy, weapon, and personal style. It’s the foundation for both offense and defense.
• Fencing Time: A concept that refers to the duration of a single, continuous action, like an attack or parry-riposte. Understanding and manipulating fencing time is crucial for timing attacks and defenses effectively.
• FIE: Abbreviation for “Fédération Internationale d’Escrime,” the International Fencing Federation, which governs fencing worldwide. The FIE sets the rules, standards, and organizes international competitions.
• Finger Play: The subtle use of the fingers to control the blade for precise movements, attacks, and parries. It emphasizes finesse over strength for manipulating the weapon.
• Finta in Tempo: A feint executed within the timing of the opponent’s action, aiming to draw a specific response that can be exploited with a counter-move. It’s a sophisticated strategy requiring precise timing and observation.
• Flank: The side of the body below the arm, particularly on the sword arm side. It’s a target area in sabre and can be a strategic point to attack in foil and epee, depending on the guard position of the opponent.
• Fleche: A dynamic attacking move where the fencer launches forward off the front foot, extending the sword arm to strike before passing by the opponent. This high-speed action aims to surprise and reach the opponent with an extended hit.
• Flick: A whip-like attack that makes the blade bend over the opponent’s parry or guard to hit the target. It’s especially used in foil and epee to score on difficult-to-reach areas by exploiting the blade’s flexibility.
• Floor Judges: Officials positioned to observe the bout from different angles, particularly in non-electric (dry) fencing, to help the main referee determine valid hits and infractions.
• Flunge: A portmanteau of “flying” and “lunge,” used in sabre to describe a forward leaping attack that combines elements of the fleche and lunge. It’s designed to close distance quickly and catch the opponent off-guard.
• Flying Parry: A defensive action performed while moving backwards or away from the opponent, aiming to deflect or block an incoming attack mid-movement.
• Foible: The weaker, more flexible part of the blade, closer to the tip than to the guard. It’s contrasted with the forte, or stronger part of the blade, and is less effective at parrying but useful for quick, precise attacks.
• Foil: One of the three disciplines of fencing, characterized by a lighter weapon and a target area limited to the torso, including the back but excluding the arms and head. Right of way rules apply, emphasizing the importance of initiating attacks.
• Forte: The strongest part of the blade, located near the guard. It’s used defensively in parries due to its stability and strength, providing greater control when deflecting the opponent’s blade.
• Forward Recovery: The action of returning to the en garde position after a lunge by moving the back foot up to the front foot, rather than retracting the front foot. It allows for a quicker return to readiness and can be used to maintain pressure on the opponent.
• French Grip: A straight grip on a fencing weapon that allows for a range of hand positions, offering greater reach but potentially less control over the blade than anatomical or pistol grips. It’s favored by some fencers for its versatility and traditional feel.
• Froissement: A blade action that displaces the opponent’s weapon through a strong, sliding contact, often leading to a thrust. It’s a technique used to overpower the opponent’s blade and create a direct path to the target.
• Fuller: A groove along the flat of the blade that reduces weight while maintaining strength. Common in historical swords but not a feature of modern fencing weapons, where the term might still be used metaphorically to refer to the blade’s design.
• Gaining Ground: The strategic action of moving forward to control more of the piste and reduce the opponent’s space to maneuver. It can apply pressure and force the opponent into a defensive position.
• Grip: The part of the weapon held by the fencer. The design and choice of grip (French, pistol, etc.) affect the fencer’s control and manipulation of the blade, influencing their style and technique.
• Guard: The protective component that separates the blade from the grip, shielding the hand from hits. Its shape and size can vary between the weapons (foil, epee, sabre), reflecting the different rules and techniques.
• Guards: The various positions in which a fencer can hold their weapon, ready to attack or defend. These include the basic positions numbered from one to eight, each offering different strategic advantages and defenses against attacks.
• Halt: A command issued by the referee to stop the action, typically when a rule has been infringed, a hit has been scored, or for safety reasons. After a halt, the fencers must return to their starting positions.
• High Line: Refers to the upper target area above an imaginary horizontal line across the fencer’s waist. Attacks to the high line target the head, chest, and upper back in foil and epee, and include the arms in sabre.
• Hilt: The collective parts of the sword including the grip, guard, and pommel—basically, everything except the blade. It’s designed to balance the weapon and protect the hand during combat.
• Hit: A successful contact with the opponent within the valid target area that, in competitive fencing, is registered by the electronic scoring system. Hits are the primary means of scoring points in a bout.
• Immediate: An action taken without hesitation or delay. In fencing, immediate actions follow directly after a command or another action, showing no pause that would allow the opponent to react or counter.
• In Time: An action executed within the proper timing to be considered valid, especially in right of way weapons (foil and sabre), where initiating an attack “in time” can determine who is awarded the point in simultaneous actions.
• In-fighting: Close-distance combat where fencers are within arm’s reach, necessitating smaller, more precise movements and often requiring good control and quick reflexes to score or defend effectively.
• Indicators: A system used in tournaments to rank fencers based on their performance in pools or preliminary rounds. It typically includes the ratio of victories to bouts and the difference between hits scored and received.
• Indirect: An action that is not made directly towards the target but instead involves deception, such as a feint or a disengagement, to bypass the opponent’s defense and hit the target area.
• Inside: Referring to the side of the fencer’s body that faces towards their opponent, typically the left side for a right-handed fencer and vice versa. Inside lines are common targets in fencing.
• Insistence: The act of continuing an attack or pressure despite the opponent’s attempt to parry or counter. It involves persistence in seeking an opening or forcing an error from the opponent.
• Interception: A defensive tactic where a fencer anticipates and counters an opponent’s attack or movement, effectively “intercepting” their action with a counterattack or parry.
• Invitation: A deliberate opening left by a fencer, intended to lure the opponent into making an attack that the fencer is prepared to counter. It’s a psychological tactic used to manipulate the opponent’s actions.
• Judges: Officials who assist the main referee by observing the bout from different angles, especially in situations where the electronic scoring system is not used. They help determine the validity of hits and ensure rules are followed.
• Jury: In some contexts, a group of officials overseeing a fencing bout or tournament, responsible for making decisions on appeals and ensuring the competition runs smoothly and fairly.
• Lamé: A fencing lame is a conductive jacket worn over the fencing uniform in foil and sabre to delineate the valid target area. Hits to the lamé register on the electronic scoring system, helping to determine valid touches.
• Lines: Refers to the four main directions in which attacks can be made: high inside, high outside, low inside, and low outside. Each line offers different defensive and offensive possibilities.
• Low Lines: The area below the waist, targeting the lower torso and legs, which are valid target areas in epee but not in foil or sabre. Attacks to low lines require precision due to the smaller target area and the need to evade the opponent’s guard.
• Lunge: A fundamental attacking movement where the fencer extends their front leg towards the opponent while keeping the back leg straight, aiming to reach the opponent with the point of the weapon. It’s the most common and effective way to close distance quickly for an attack.
• Mal Parry: An unsuccessful parry that fails to block or deflect the opponent’s attack, often leading to a scored hit against the defender. It can result from poor timing, incorrect distance, or misjudgment of the attack’s direction.
• Manchette: A protective glove or cuff worn by sabre fencers to cover the forearm and part of the sword hand, providing safety against hits to this area, which is a valid target in sabre.
• Manipulators: The fingers, particularly the thumb and index finger, that play a crucial role in controlling the weapon, allowing for precise movements, attacks, and parries. Effective manipulation is key to finesse in fencing.
• Maraging Steel: A high-strength steel alloy used in the manufacture of fencing blades, especially for high-level competition. It’s known for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to breaking, making it a preferred choice for safety and performance.
• Martingale: A safety strap attached to the grip of non-electric foils, epees, or sabres, designed to prevent the weapon from being dropped or thrown accidentally during a bout. It ensures that the fencer maintains control over their weapon at all times.
• Mask: An essential piece of protective gear that covers the head, face, and often part of the neck. Modern fencing masks are constructed with a metal mesh to provide visibility while protecting against hits. Different weapons require masks with specific features, such as a conductive bib for foil and sabre to register valid touches.
• Match: In team competitions, a match consists of a series of bouts between teams, where each member faces opponents in a predefined order. The overall performance of the team members contributes to the team’s score and outcome in the match.
• Metallic Piste: A conductive strip used in competitive fencing to ground the fencers and prevent off-target hits from registering on the electronic scoring system. It’s especially crucial in foil and sabre to ensure accuracy in scoring.
• Moulinet: A circular cutting motion with a sabre, used to execute an attack from various angles. The term originates from the French word for “windmill,” reflecting the circular, sweeping nature of the action.
• Neuvieme: A rarely used guard position in which the blade is held behind the fencer with the point directed downward, typically used in theatrical or classical fencing rather than modern competitive fencing.
• Octave: A basic defensive guard position where the blade is held down and to the outside, with the hand in a supinated position. It’s effective for protecting the lower outside line, including the flank and thigh.
• One-two Attack: A compound attack that involves two quick successive movements, often a feint followed by a lunge or another attack aimed at a different line. This tactic is used to deceive the opponent and create an opening for a valid touch.
• Open Eyes: A fencing strategy where a fencer remains highly observant and adaptable, responding to the opponent’s actions without preconceived plans. It requires excellent reflexes and the ability to read the opponent’s intentions.
• Opposition: A technique used during an attack or riposte where the fencer’s blade is positioned to block or control the opponent’s blade, preventing them from successfully parrying or counter-attacking.
• Orthopaedic Grip: Also known as a pistol grip, it’s ergonomically designed to fit the shape of the hand, providing fencers with better control and leverage over their weapon. It’s commonly used in foil and epee for its tactical advantages.
• Parry: A defensive action where the fencer uses their blade to deflect or block the opponent’s attacking blade. Parries are numbered based on their position and are fundamental in setting up ripostes.
• Part-whole: A teaching and learning method where a complex action is broken down into its component parts for practice, then gradually combined into the whole movement. This approach helps fencers master intricate techniques step by step.
• Pass-backwards / Pass-forwards: Movement techniques where the fencer moves past their starting position, either advancing (pass-forwards) or retreating (pass-backwards) in a way that can surprise the opponent and change the dynamic of the engagement.
• Passata-sotto: A defensive maneuver where the fencer bends at the waist and lowers their body to the ground, often extending one leg backwards, to dodge an incoming high attack. It’s followed by an immediate counterattack.
• Passe: An attack that misses the opponent entirely, either due to misjudgment of distance or an effective evasion by the opponent. A passe provides an opportunity for the opponent to launch a counterattack.
• Patinando: A footwork technique involving a step forward with the back foot, accompanied by a small hop or stamp to distract or unbalance the opponent. It’s used to create openings for attacks or to probe the opponent’s defense.
• Phrase: A sequence of actions and reactions within a bout, starting with an attack and including all subsequent movements until a hit is scored or the action is halted. Understanding the flow of phrases is crucial for strategic planning in fencing.
• Piste: The designated area or strip where a fencing bout takes place. It’s a narrow, elongated mat that restricts lateral movement, focusing the action along a straight line to mimic the conditions of a duel.
• Pistol Grip: See “Orthopaedic Grip.”
• Plaque: A flat, forceful thrust or hit that lands with the side of the blade, often considered invalid in foil and epee due to the lack of point contact. It’s a common mistake when the attack lacks precision.
• Plastron: An underarm protector worn underneath the fencing jacket on the weapon arm side. It provides an additional layer of protection, particularly important for absorbing hits that penetrate the jacket or occur on off-target areas.
• Point: The tip of the fencing weapon, used for making hits in foil and epee. In sabre, both the point and the edge of the blade can score hits, reflecting the weapon’s cutting and thrusting capabilities in historical combat.
• Point-in-line: A position where the fencer extends their arm and points their weapon directly at their opponent, establishing a line of attack. If maintained correctly, it grants the fencer priority or right of way in foil and sabre, forcing the opponent to remove the threat before launching their attack.
• Pointe d’arret: A French term for the tip or point of the weapon, particularly in epee, where it’s equipped with a spring-loaded mechanism to register hits. It ensures that only sufficient forceful thrusts score as valid.
• Pommel: The knob at the end of the grip that secures the assembly of the weapon’s parts. It also serves as a counterweight, balancing the weapon and contributing to its handling characteristics.
• Pommeling: Adjusting the grip towards the pommel to extend the reach of the weapon. This technique can offer a tactical advantage in certain situations by allowing the fencer to hit from a longer distance, though it may reduce control over the blade.
• Pool (Poule): A round-robin segment of a fencing competition where each fencer faces all other members of a small group. Results from pool bouts often determine seeding for the direct elimination phase of the tournament.
• Preparation of Attack: The actions taken before launching the main attack, including footwork to close distance or blade movements to probe defenses. Effective preparation can create vulnerabilities in the opponent’s guard.
• Presentation: Offering the blade in a way that invites engagement or manipulates the opponent’s actions. It can be part of a strategy to control the flow of the bout or to set up deceptive movements.
• Press: A forceful action against the opponent’s blade to push it aside or gain leverage. A press can disrupt the opponent’s position and open a path for an attack.
• Prêts: French for “ready,” it’s the command given by the referee to ensure both fencers are prepared to begin or resume action following the “En garde” position.
• Prime: A guard position with the hand pronated (palm down) and the point of the weapon directed downwards, covering the low inside line. It’s used defensively to protect against attacks to the lower body and can set up counterattacks to the upper lines.
• Principle of Defence: The tactical concept of using the forte (strong part) of one’s blade to engage the foible (weak part) of the opponent’s blade during a parry, maximizing the effectiveness of the defensive action.
• Priority: In foil and sabre, a rule determining which fencer is awarded the point in the event of a simultaneous hit. It’s established through the control of the right of way, based on who initiates the attack or successfully defends and ripostes.
• Prises De Fer: Literally “taking the blade,” these are techniques where a fencer gains control over the opponent’s blade through various engagements, such as binds, envelopments, or beats, often to set up an attack or disrupt an incoming one.
• Progressive Actions: Actions in fencing that build in intensity or complexity, starting from a simple movement and escalating to a more aggressive or decisive maneuver, often culminating in an attack.
• Pronation: The rotation of the forearm so the palm faces downward. In fencing, pronation is used in certain guard positions and actions to orient the blade for effective parries or attacks.
• Quarte: One of the basic parry positions, with the hand supinated (palm up) and the blade up and to the inside line, defending against attacks to the upper body on the fencer’s inside.
• Quinte: A parry position similar to quarte but with the wrist pronated, covering the high inside line. It’s less commonly used but can be effective in specific tactical situations.
• Rassemblement: The action of bringing the feet together, typically as a preparatory move before advancing or retreating. It can also refer to regaining balance or resetting one’s stance during a bout.
• Recovery: The action of returning to the en garde position after executing a move, such as a lunge or parry. Efficient recovery is crucial for maintaining readiness and defense after an attack.
• Red Card: A penalty card issued by the referee for serious rule infractions, which awards a point to the opponent. Accumulating infractions can lead to further penalties, including disqualification.
• Redoublement: An action where a fencer follows up an initial attack that was parried or failed to land with a second attack, often without withdrawing the arm. It’s a strategy to maintain pressure and potentially catch the opponent off-guard.
• Referee: The official responsible for overseeing the bout, enforcing the rules, and determining the validity of hits. The referee plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the competition.
• Remise: A second attempt to hit the target with the same movement if the first attack missed or was parried, without pulling the arm back. It relies on speed and the element of surprise.
• Renewal: A general term for any action that follows an initial attack, including remise, redoublement, or reprise, aimed at scoring a hit after the first attempt was unsuccessful.
• Repechage: A “second chance” system in tournament brackets that allows competitors who have lost to an eventual finalist to compete for the bronze medal or another consolation position. It provides a pathway for redemption and can affect the overall standings.
• Reprise: A renewed attack made after returning to the en garde position or making a recovery step. It’s a tactical decision to keep the offensive momentum going by launching another attack after a brief pause.
• Retreat: Basic backward movement used to increase distance from the opponent, often to evade an attack or to reset the tactical situation. Effective retreating can create opportunities for counterattacks.
• Right of Way: A rule in foil and sabre fencing that determines which fencer is awarded the point in the case of simultaneous hits. It prioritizes the fencer who initiates the attack, encourages offensive actions, and requires strategic blade control.
• Riposte: An offensive action made immediately after a successful parry of the opponent’s attack. The riposte takes advantage of the temporary opening created by the parry to score a hit.
• Sabre: One of the three weapons used in fencing, characterized by a light, flat blade that allows for both cutting and thrusting attacks. The target area includes the entire upper body, and right of way rules apply.
• Salle: A fencing club or school where fencers train and compete. It’s also used to refer to the room or space specifically designated for fencing practice and bouts.
• Salut Des Armes: A ceremonial salute performed with the weapon as a sign of respect towards the opponents, officials, and spectators. It embodies the sportsmanship and honor associated with fencing.
• Salute: A formal gesture made with the fencing weapon towards the opponent and referee at the beginning and end of a bout, signifying respect and adherence to the traditions of the sport.
• Second Intention: A tactical feint where a fencer pretends to make an attack with the aim of drawing a specific reaction from the opponent, which they then exploit with a planned counteraction.
• Seconde: A parry position where the blade is held down and to the outside, protecting the lower outside line. It’s effective against attacks aimed at the lower flank or leg.
• Semicircular Parry: A parry that moves in a half-circle, transitioning from one line of defense to another. It can deceive the opponent about the intended defense line and create opportunities for ripostes.
• Septime: A defensive position with the hand supinated and the blade pointing downward, covering the lower inside line. It’s particularly effective against low attacks to the inside leg or lower torso.
• Simple Attack: An attack made in one movement directly towards the target, without any feints or preparatory maneuvers. It’s the most straightforward way to attempt a hit.
• Simultaneous Attack: In foil and sabre, when both fencers launch an attack at the same time. The right of way rule is applied to determine who, if anyone, is awarded the point.
• Sixte: A parry or guard position where the blade is up and to the outside, offering protection against attacks to the upper outside line. It’s a common and versatile defensive posture.
• Spools: Reels that contain the retractable cord connecting the fencer’s body wire to the scoring system. They ensure mobility on the piste while maintaining a constant electrical connection for scoring.
• Steam: Fencing without electronic scoring equipment, relying on visual observation to judge hits. It harkens back to traditional fencing practices before the advent of modern scoring technologies.
• Stop Hit: A counterattack launched into an opponent’s action, aiming to hit them before their attack lands. In epee, where right of way doesn’t apply, it’s a valid tactic to score while avoiding the opponent’s attack.
• Strip: Another term for the piste, the designated area where fencing bouts take place. The strip’s dimensions and boundaries are regulated to ensure fair competition.
• Successive Parries: Multiple defensive actions taken in response to a series of attacks or feints from the opponent. It involves quickly adapting to changing lines of attack to prevent being hit.
• Supination: The rotation of the forearm so the palm faces upwards, used in various guard positions to orient the blade for defense or to prepare for certain attacks.
• Tang: The part of the blade that extends into the grip, providing the structural connection between the blade and the hilt components of the weapon.
• Target Area: The part of the body that is considered valid for scoring hits, which varies by the weapon used: the torso for foil, the entire body for epee, and everything above the waist for sabre.
• Third Intention: A sophisticated strategy involving a sequence of feints, with the fencer intending to exploit the opponent’s reaction to the second feint. It requires anticipating multiple moves ahead.
• Thrust: A basic attacking move where the fencer extends the arm and weapon towards the opponent, aiming to hit with the point of the blade. It’s the primary means of attack in foil and epee.
• Tierce: A parry position with the hand pronated and the blade angled up and to the outside, used to defend against attacks to the upper outside line.
• Touché: An acknowledgment made by the fencer when a valid hit is landed by the opponent. It signifies the fencer’s recognition of the opponent’s skill in scoring.
• Volt: A maneuver involving a sudden shift or turn to evade an attack, often accompanied by a countermove. It’s a dynamic defensive action that can create confusion and open counterattack opportunities.
• Whip-over: In sabre, a hit that lands as a result of the blade whipping or bending over the opponent’s guard or parry. It exploits the flexibility of the sabre blade to score on difficult-to-reach areas.
• Yellow Card: A warning issued by the referee for minor infractions of the rules. Receiving two yellow cards in a bout results in a red card, which awards a point to the opponent.
• Yielding Parry: A defensive technique where the fencer absorbs the opponent’s blade engagement and redirects it, maintaining contact and control over the opponent’s weapon to create a counterattack opportunity.

There you have it.

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