Introduction I Have Tried to Sum up My Work in Hungary, Germany and Canada and Find a Way to Best Help the Singapore Fencing Coach Developing Programs

Introduction I have tried to sum up my work in Hungary, Germany and Canada and find a way to best help the Singapore fencing coach developing programs. I don’t want to limit the age of who can use this program as in Singapore we have, often not only have kids in the group, the groups rarely have homogeny. It was very difficult to find the best terminology, where French and other schools of thought could be understood. Maybe some of the positions are too exactly defined but I think it’s helpful for understanding and the application for everybody. I didn’t give too much information about basic physical education. I have tried to concentrate on fencing specific material. It is helpful for non- fencing teachers or coaches to use it. The most important thing with beginners is to give fan and correct technique. A good atmosphere with motivation and developing the basics is the goal. Try to find exercises where the combat aspect of fencing is dominate and give the feeling what it means to win. Be first to motivate, you need to give a good example. Your dress and your demonstrations have to be correct. Be there 10 min before the class begins. I tried to sum up in 10 steps the first level in epee fencing. With this knowledge it is possible to give a good opportunity for developing beginner fencers. This program is useful for all the coaches who would like to find the logical development from beginning to competitive fencer. It is very important to teach a wide repertoire and not to specialization too early. Best of luck with your young or beginner groups and I hope you enjoy the experience. Dr. Gabor Salamon 2012 Singapore

The Fencing/Summary of Lesson Plan 10 Step lesson plan Page

Step 1: On-guard position/Step forward/Step backward/ 1 Gripping the weapon/ Arm extension Step 2: Hit (thrust): while standing still/with step forward/ 2 with step backward/The lunge/Straight hit with lunge

Step 3: Parry( sixte-quarte) ---- remise 4 Engagement ----- Counteractions

Step 4: Parry riposte ( sixte-quarte)---Counteractions 6 Engagement hit—Counteractions Step 5: Parry (second -septime)----remise 8 Engagement--- Counteractions Step 6 Parry riposte ( second-septime)---Counteractions 10

Engagement hit—Counteractions

Step 7: Beat attacks ( quarte-sixte-seconde-septime) 12

Step 8: Opposition hit for defense 13

Step 9: Feint attack 14 Step forward lunge Step 10: Attack in time ( l`attaque dans la preparation) 15

Counter attack (I`attaque dans l`attaque)

Step 1

Introduction Talk about epee fighting and epee history( combat weapon, dueling, modern sport) .Epee is a thrusting weapon, the touch registered with an electrical contact (point).The target includes the whole body from foot to head, and the goal is to touch earlier than the opponent. If the touch is at the same time, the result is a simultaneous hit and valid.

Show epee, mask and glove

On-guard position( After demonstration come to on-guard position) The front foot is positioned at a right -angle, approximately. 1.5 to 2 feet in front of the back foot(use lines on floor if any). The body`s center of gravity lies in the midway the feet.. Both knees are equally bent, weight must be equally distributed between both feet. The torso bent light forward and is rotated approximately 25 degrees to the fencing line. The weapon arm half –extended in the line of the shoulder with the forearm parallel to the floor. The hand is supinated in a position of about 1:30 hour on the clock with the elbow facing inward. The point of the weapon threatens the opposing target area(hand)

Step forward (After demonstration execution oneself) From on- guard position, the step forward is executed by simultaneously pushing off with the back foot and releasing the front foot forward. The movement of the front foot begins by lifting the toes. To resume the on-guard position, the back foot is pulled forward

Step backward (After demonstration execution oneself) The backward step begins simultaneously release of the back foot and the pushing off of the front foot, and ends with the pulling of the front foot backward. The torso always remains in the same position independent of the movement direction. Gripping the weapon The thumb, slightly bent, rest on the handle. The forefinger is adjusted to the handle from below, ,gripping at the first joint; the weapon is directed from the front of the hand. Or :the thumb should be bent slightly to oppose the fist joint the forefinger, the handle lying completely within the palm. If it`s possible use pistol grip in small size.

On guard position with the weapon Arm position is the same as in on guard position without the weapon. Point of weapon threatens the opposing target area.(hand).The guard (coquille)is on the outside and defended the outside. The owns point threatens to the opposing hand, and defended the inside. Shoulder have to be relaxes.

Arm extension (Line position) (after demonstration execution oneself extension.)

In the final position, the guard of the weapon is higher than the shoulder and covers the high line on the armed side. The point tends low and inside, threatens the opposing shoulder. Supination of the hand is the same then in guard position. The shoulder mast be relaxed. If you have mirror in the hall, gym, use it for self control. 1 Step 2 Revision (recapitulation) of step 1

On guard position, step forward, step backward, moving with the weapon, arm extension. Distance keeping : coach moving slowly with step forward and backward in front of the students who are in rows. They have to adjust to maintain distance. Exercise with partner changing who is the leader. The same exercise with the weapon in hand. Take blade contact and slowly keep distance . The blade position gives a chance to control the exact distance..

New in step 2 Hit (thrust) while standing still Hitting movements are performed by extending the arm and guiding the weapon with the hand in such a way the point of the weapon touches the opposing target area. The hit is the same movement as in extending the arm. with the weapon, only the touch on the target need stabilizing the on- guard position, with the arm being high and lightly bent. Do not change the hand position while extending the arm.( no rotation) Execute: on wall target, with trainer, with partner. . The correct footwork relative to the distance was chosen, if in a thrust the blade has a slight bend.

Exercise forms A, In one time(action): on your own at your own time B , In partners time(reaction) 1, From the blade. From the partners signal with his blade ( pressure, change, release) start with the action. 2, From the opponents footwork. On the opponent`s footwork (step forward, lunge etc. ) start with the hit. 3, Blade and foot together. This is the best combination to start a successful action. This system is valid for all fencing activity.!!! Hit: with step forward Extending the arm, step forward and touch. The arm extension occurs before the step forward. The guard of the weapon must remain in the same high position and supination of the hand(no rotation). Execute: on wall target, with trainer, with partner. Hit: with step backward (stop hit) As the blade begins to band after the hit, execute the step backward. At the finish of the step, the arm is back in on-guard position. Execute: standing at close distance, extending and, after hitting, stepping backwards: on wall target, with trainer, with partner. The Lunge The lunge from the on-guard position is executed by simultaneously pushing off with the back leg and extending the front leg. The movement of the front leg begins by lifting the toes and extending the knee, moving the heel over the floor until the back knee is full extended and the heel of front foot lands on the floor. In epee fencing, the optimal lunge position is where the back leg and the thigh of front leg form a straight line. After stabilizing the end position ( shin of front leg at a right angle to

the floor) begin the recovery by the pushing off with the front foot and bending the back knee, return to on guard position. The arm is usually extended before the legs begin to move, and returns to the on guard position after the recovery. The other arm is extended back and parallel to the back leg and returns with the recovery. Execute: (after demonstration oneself with correction of the coach

Straight hit with lunge

.Start first with the extension of the arm, followed by the lunge. During the hit, the weapon must travel at the same level remaining in supination , (don`t change the hand position.)

Execute(: after demonstration) oneself on wall target, with trainer, with partner.

Step 3

Revision of step 2 Partner exercises: hit straight standing still at close distance starting in one`s own time. or in the partners time (on partners release, change or pressure with the blade). start the hit .If the torso leans slightly forward it`s not a major error. Execute the same hit with step forward, backward and lunge depending on the blade signal and distance. Now from step 3 Parry. The primary objective of parry is to deflect the opponent thrust from the target. The parry is a timely deflection of the attacker`s weapon from the target with the movement of the blade. In the end position of the parry( the elbow remains bent or is withdrawn more . Quarte parry Quarte parry defends the inside of arm and the inside high target. From on- guard position, the blade is moved inward by pronating the forearm. The elbow is bent as required according to the distance. The parry moves backward and, together with the arm pronating, causes the opponent`s blade to slide to the forte of the fencer`s own weapon. The point of the weapon is displaced horizontally to the height of and 10 cm. outside of the opponent`s shoulder. The wrist is flexed backwards slightly. Execute: after demonstration, oneself with correction of coach, in lesson with coach, with partner.

Sixte parry Sixte parry protects the outside of the arm and the high outside target. From on-guard position, the blade moves in a small semicircular action from inside to outside . line of the weapon arm. During the parry, the upper arm sinks slightly in the direction of the leading hip, and the elbow is somewhat bent. The forearm rises in front of the armed shoulder, with the forearm and blade forming a straight line. During the action, the wrist is fixed with only a minimum of movement allowed.. As a result, the parry will be drawn backwards primarily at the elbow, the blade being moved by the forearm. In the final position the point is placed outside and in front of the shoulder of the arm holding the weapon.. If possible, the fencer should dominate the opponent`s thrust with the middle of his own blade to deflect it After demonstration, execute: oneself with correction of coach, in lesson with coach, with partner.

Remise/Disengagement: against the parry Remise attacks are attacking actions that directly follow an unsuccessful attack or a false attack. A direct remise attack:is an attacking action that directly follow an unsuccessful or false attack into the same target area. To execute, the attacker steps forward with a straight hit. The defender takes a small quarte parry. The attacker being stopped in the parry, angulates his blade around the opposing weapon and hits with a step forward to the body.

Direct remise attack: Defender takes a weak quarte parry. After a short stop in the parry, the attacker angulates his hit over the opposing weapon and thrusts with step forward to the body. Disengagement remise attacks are attacking actions that finish in a target area uncovered by a parry or in another line.

To execute, the attacker steps forward with a straight hit. The defender takes a sixte parry. Being stopped in the parry the attacker disengages his blade and steps forward with a hit inside to the body. Disengagement is carried out by the attacker freeing his blade from the opponent`s parry, circling the opposing guard, and thrusting into the uncovered line. During the disengagement, the point of the weapon describes a circular, crew-like motion spiralling forward as a result of the continuous extension of the arm. In epee fencing, the weapon`s guard always remains above the point during the disengagement. Preparation exercise : At wall target, execute a slow circling movement with the point only , then do again with extension of the arm. With a partner, circle the partner`s guard, slowly engaging and disengaging, first without extension and then with extension. Do in standing still and with step backward.

Execute: after demonstration with the partner, with the coach.

Engagement Engagement is done by placing the forte of the blade against the opponent`s foible in order to remove his weapon from its position. The goal is to dominate the opposing blade. The attacker must establish the necessary relationship quickly and forcefully. With the point outside the line of the opposing blade, the attacker engages using the weapon`s guard with a quick forward blade action, thus dominating the opponent`s weapon. The position of the blade is the same as in the parry, only more advanced. Execute: after demonstration with partner, with coach, standing still and with step forward. With step forward , take the blade first moving forward immediately after. Counteractions against engagement The disengagement against an engagement is technically the same action as a disengagement remise, only it begins from on- guard position. Execute either standing still or with a step backwards. Preparations exercise : At wall target execute slow circling movement with the point only then do again , with extension of the arm. With the partner, circle the partner`s guard slowly engaging and disengaging, first without extension and then with extension. Do standing still and with a step backward Against quarte engagement it is possible, to use a straight hit or angulated hit similar to a direct remise. .

Step 4 Revision of step 3 The different engagement with step backward. In partner exercises, repeating the parry and remise .The defender chooses the variation: parry with sixte or quarte. Other exercises : distance keeping with blade contact, leader after his invitation can parry or let touch. Distance keeping without blade( low blade position) the leader gives the blade to initiate the engagement. Slow distance keeping, partner steps forward with sixte or quarte engagement. Leader use disengagement hit against the engagement.

New from step 4

Riposte from quarte and sixte parry Riposte is a action used after a parry to score a hit on the target by thrusting into the open line. Of particular importance in epee fencing is the riposte with opposition( a thrust with blade contact to hold the opposing blade off the target) in order to avoid a simultaneous hit by the opponent. The riposte is an extension of the arm from parry position, ending with a hit . The parry is the basic defense action and forms a technical-tactical unit with the subsequent offensive action( riposte). In epee fencing, the riposte from quarte parry typically is done with opposition. It is executed to the inside high target(shoulder , body).From the moment the fencer makes contact with the opponent`s blade to the completion of the thrust, the weapons should be constantly engaged, the riposte arriving with the fencer`s guard on the opponent`s blade. As a result, the opponent cannot score. In the closing stage of the riposte, the hand( guard) is held high to the inside. The riposte from sixte parry can be done either with opposition to the outside high target or a with disengagement on the high inside. In the riposte with opposition, the point move towards the selected target along the shortest possible route. In either case, the action begins immediately after contact with the opponent`s weapon. Engagement is maintained throughout the action until the target is reached. From sixte parry, if the opponent close the high the fencer can riposte to low outside target( body , side).After the parry the fencer direct s his point towards the target while simultaneously moving his blade outward with a semi-circular motion and extending the arm.

After demonstration execute: in place at wall target, with step backward ( parry) step forward ( riposte), with step backward(parry) lunge(riposte).It is important to begin the riposte with arm extended while moving forward.. Practice with the partner, with coach.

Counteractions against riposte Remise by disengagement against the riposte can be done by an attacker after the opposing parry by disengaging from the riposting blade to the uncovered line while stepping backward. If the riposte is not big(deep) enough, the remise can be done with a straight hit or angulated to the

covered target. Optimal coordination is required between the straightening of the arm and the footwork After the demonstration execute: with partner and with

6 Engagement hit/ thrust (quarte, sixte) Engagement hits are thrusts following an engagement (bind) and done with the two blades remaining in contact from start to finish of the thrust. It is the same movement as in riposte, only starting from on- guard position. After engaging the opponent`s blade, the arm extends continuously until hitting the target. From sixte engagement, if the opponent close the the fencer can hit to the low outside target( body , side). Blade - footwork coordination is very important. The action always begins with the blade. After demonstration execute: on wall target, with partner with coach; standing still, with step forward, with lunge.

Counteractions against the engagement hit

Defence against the engagement thrust can be executed after blade contact ( bind) with disengagement thrust or straight( angulated) or before the blade contact with displacement thrust . The action of disengaging from the opponent`s engagement to the uncovered target is done while stepping backward. If the opponent`s engagement is not firm enough, the fencer can hit with a straight thrust or angulated hit to the covered line(quarte) The optimal coordination is required between the straightening of the arm and the footwork ( step backward). After the demonstration execute: with partner, with coach.

Step 5 Revision of step 4 In partner exercises repeating the parry riposte (sixte and quarte) and engagement hits. The attacker doing straight hit. The defender let touch or parry with step backward sixte or quarte parry and riposting with lunge. The attacker can let him touch or in the riposte execute a stop hit with disengagement or straight hit. The attacker doing engagement hit with lunge. The defender can let him touch or with step backward avoid the engagement and hit or use stop hit with disengagement or straight or angulated hit against the engagement.

New for step 5

Parry( second-septime)

Second parry protects the outside low target and the front foot. From on- guard position the blade is rotated into second position around the longitudinal axis of the forearm with a small semi-circular movement(palm look on down). The epee is pushed downwards and obliquely to the outside and the hand sinking about 10 cm. below its original height. The opponent`s blade being dominated firmly by the forte( strong part) of the fencer`s weapon. The point finishes out at the height of the opponent`s front thigh. The elbow rest inside close to the hip with the forearm and blade creating a straight line. The wrist is fixed not allowing any freedom of movement thus enabling the parry to be appropriately firm. After demonstration execute: with partner, with coach.

Octave parry protects the same target as second parry. It is performed in a similar way to second parry only without rotating the forearm (palm remains facing upward) with a brief and rapid action of forearm, wrist and blade. Octave is not as strong as second, but it is easier to execute technically.

Septime parry defends the inside target, both law and to a certain extent, high. Rotating the hand upward and with the elbow relaxed, the fencer raises the weapon from outside to inside to a position in front of the inside shoulder. The point dipping approximately 10 cm. below the horizontal plane. The weapon moves diagonally from below to meet the opponent`s blade which is held firmly with the forte in this position. After demonstration execute: with partner, with coach.

Remise against parry After being caught in the opposing parry, it is possible to do the remise ( repeating, continuation) straight(angular) or with disengagement to the free target. Against second or octave parry, the remise is directed to the body up to the height of the shoulder. Against septime parry , the remise is done to low outside target if the parrying guard is in a high position .If the guard is in lower, the remise is done high outside to the body or shoulder. If the

parry not well execute, the remise can be done with a straight hit in opposition or with angulation to low inside. After demonstration execute: with partner, with coach.

Engagement (seconde, septime)

An engagement is done by placing the forte of the blade against the opponent`s foible in order to removes his weapon from its position. The goal is to dominate the opposing blade. The attacker must establish the necessary blade relationship quickly and forcefully. With the point outside the line of the opponent`s blade, the attacker engages using the weapon`s with a quick forward blade action, thus dominating the opposing weapon. The position of the blade is the same as in the parry, only more advanced. After demonstration execute; with partner, with coach, standing still, with step forward. With step forward ; take the blade first moving forward immediately after.

Counteractions against the engagement. Engagement is an offensive action where the goal is to control the opposing weapon .Remise can be used effectively as a defensive action against the engagement . Defence against the engagement thrust can be executed after blade contact ( bind) with disengagement thrust or straight( angulated) or before the blade contact with displacement thrust . The action of disengaging from the opponent`s engagement to the uncovered target is done while stepping backward. If the opponent`s engagement is not firm enough, the fencer can hit with a straight thrust or angulated hit to the covered line(septime) The optimal coordination is required between the straightening of the arm and the footwork ( step backward).

After demonstration execute; wall target, with partner, with coach. Preparation exercise: At wall target execute a slow circling movement with the point only, then do again with extension of the arm. With a partner, circle the partner`s guard slowly engaging and disengaging, first without extension and then with extension. Do standing still and with a step backward

Step 6 Revision of step 5 .. In partner exercises, repeating the parry and remise .The defender chooses the variation: parry with seconde or septime.. Other exercises : distance keeping with blade contact and leader after his invitation can parry or let touch. Distance keeping without blade( low blade position) the leader gives the blade to initiate the engagement. Slow distance keeping, and step forward with seconde or septime engagement. Disengagement stop hit against the different engagements with step backward.

New for step 6

Parry riposte ( second,septime) From second parry is the riposte can be done with opposition( bind) to the opponent`s outside low target(stomach, belly). During the riposte the point is directed to the target along the shortest possible route, the thrust being completed without any change in the position of the hand. Alternatively, the point may hit the same target area, but during the thrust, the hand is rotated in the closing stage into supination thus creating an inward opposition. If the opponent closes the line, the riposte can be directed to the shoulder or body( inside high target) after the parry by disengaging the point toward the target using a semi-circular movement to the inside and delivering the thrust to the target. At the moment of the touch the blade position is the same as in straight hit( guard high outside with the hand in light supination) From octave parry, the riposte is the same as from second but without modifying the hand position (same as on- guard position). From septime parr, the riposte can be made to the outside low line finishing with high guard position and touching the side( flank)

Counteractions against the riposte After being caught in the opposing parry, it is possible to do the remise ( repeating, continuation) straight(angular) or with a disengagement to the free target. Against second or octave parry riposte with opposition, the remise is directed high to the body or shoulder. Against a high riposte without opposition the remise can be straight to the outside shoulder or with angulation to the same target. Against septime parry riposte, the remise is done to the low outside target if the riposte is with a high guard position . or to the high outside ( body or shoulder) if the guard is low. If the riposte with opposition is weak, the remise can be straight or with angulation the low inside line.. After demonstration execute; with partner, with coach. For the optimal chance to hit, the remise should be done with recovery (moving backward) and thrust executed simultaneously.

Engagement hit (seconde,septime)

The engagement hits are thrusts, following an engagement (bind) , and done with the two blades remaining in contact from start to finish of the thrust. After engaging the opponent`s blade the arm extends continuously , until hitting the target. In second or octave, a high thrust after engagement is done without holding the opposing weapon. After demonstration execute; on wall target, with partner, with coach, standing still, with step forward, with lunge. The position of blade and the touch are the same as in the riposte.

Counteractions against the engagement hit.

Engagement hit is a offensive action where the goal is to control the opposing weapon till the touch.

. Defence against the engagement thrust can be executed after blade contact ( bind) with disengagement thrust or straight( angulated) or before the blade contact with displacement thrust . The action of disengaging from the opponent`s engagement to the uncovered target is done while stepping backward. If the opponent`s engagement is not firm enough, the fencer can hit with a straight thrust or angulated hit to the covered line(septime) The optimal coordination is required between the straightening of the arm and the footwork ( step backward). Against septim engagement hit , hit straight with a direct remise or with angulation through the engagement.

Preparation exercise: At wall target execute a slow circling movement with the point only, then do again with extension of the arm. With a partner, circle the partner`s guard slowly engaging and disengaging, first without extension and then with extension. Do standing still and with a step backward

Free fencing Now the students have the knowledge to beginn to fence electric . Give information about the limits and lines on the strip. The goal is to touch earlier than the opponent. Coach has to observe and correct the fencing.

Step 7 Revision of step 6 In partner exercises repeating the parry riposte(second and septime) and engagement hits. The attacker doing straight hit. The defender let touch or parrying with step backward second or septime parry and riposting with lunge. The attacker can let him touch or in the riposte execute a stop hit with disengagement or straight(angulated). The attacker doing engagement hit with lunge. The defender can let him touch or avoid the engagement and hit with step backward or execute a stop hit with disengagement or straight or angulated hit against the engagement.

New for step 7

Beat attack ( sixte,quarte,octave,septime) In a beat ( Le battement) attack, the beat is executed with a forceful motion of the wrist using the middle of the blade. An alternative is to beat with the pronation, the blade rotation having the advantage of superior acceleration of the weapon. The rotation is barely visible because the hand does not move. For a thrust following a beat, it is important to use the rebound energy gained from the opposing blade in a quick arm extension . In practicing the beat attack, it is important to do the beat before the arm extension and the footwork. Beat attack can also be done with opposition. After the beat, the point moves along the shorter route to the target while the guard continuously approaches the opposing weapon. At the moment of the touch, the blade contact (opposition) happened. The quart beat with opposition is typical in epee fencing After demonstration execute; with partner, with coach. First in place beat only,, after beat and arm extension. Later with hit, . Beat hit with step forward (beat-extend-step forward) beat hit with lunge. The sixte beat is difficult from on guard position therefor practice should be from quarte invitation .

Step 8 Revision of step 7

In partner exercises repeat the beats from different blade positions. Execution in one time and on opponent`s blade movement or in opponent`s footwork.

Example. Quart beat hit with lunge possible in one time…..start oneself

In opponents time……blade is in low position, come to high…. quarte beat hit

Blade is in on guard position,,,, step forward….quarte beat hit

New for week 8

Opposition stop hit

Against the straight hit( attack,) the parry riposte is used as one defensive possibility.

Another typical epee action is the opposition stop hit. In parry riposte, the action first moves backward ( parry) then forwards( riposte). With the opposition stop hit, the two element occur together, the blade contact, control( opposition) and hit done simultaneously. The final thrust is directed at the opposing blade, so that the parry and riposte elements “ merge” into one tempo. The technical execution is the same as the engagement hit with opposition only in this instance it is a defensive action against the straight attack.

The opposition stop hit is effective if the distance is open or is made while moving backward in order to gain the time and distance required. It cannot be used at short distance.

The execution demands high concentration because the timing ( thrust with opposition and simultaneously step backward) is very important.

Step 9 Revision of step 8

In partner exercises repeating the opposition stop hit. The attacker doing straight hit with lunge, defender let it touch or execute sixte or quarte opposition hit with step backward. The attacker doing hit to the low target, defender let it touch or doing octave or septime opposition hit with step backward.

New for step 9 Step forward lunge.

This is a footwork combination in which the lunge happens immediately after the step forward. In epee fencing, the typical arm foot is l coordination is the arm extension standing in place followed by the step forward lunge with extended arm position.

After demonstration execute; oneself. Feint Attack

The feint is a movement designed to mislead the opponent to perform a parry in reply to the indication of a thrust. The fencer then deceives the parry and hits with a thrust to the open target. It is similar to disengagement remise but disengages before the opponent`s parry makes contact.

After demonstration execute; in place, arm extension and disengagement. (inward and outward); on wall target in place then with step forward then with step forward lunge then with lunge. The arm extension has to simulated a straight thrust which is then followed by the and disengagement.

Practice with the partner: in place slowly extend, partner parries, disengage around parry. The same but finish with a touch after disengagement, with step forward then with step forward lunge then with lunge.

The direction of the point always remains the same; straight to the body high( sixte, quarte) or low (second, septime).The disengagement( deception) against the parry is executed just before the parry arrives with the touch occurring immediately after.

Step 10 Revision of step 9

In partner exercises repeating the feint attack. The attacker doing straight hit with lunge. Defender parries always with sixte . Attacker can try to touch directly or with the feint attack. New from step 10 Attack in Time:

The opponent creates an opportunity with a preparatory hand or foot movement for the fencer to execute a successful attack( attack in the preparation). One possibility is the attack in time in which the fencer starts his attack into the opponent`s action so that the the touch occurs in the opponent`s movement when he cannot change it.

After demonstration execute; in a group in rows, the trainer steps forward and the group reacts immediately with step forward then with lunge then with step forward lunge. The arm extending with the movement forward.

The same exercise with weapon in hand . It is important to maintain the correct coordination of arm extension and footwork..

Practice with partner, with coach. Counter attack

Counter attack is an offensive defensive action that can be done against any type of the attack ( straight thrust, engagement hit, feint attack). Depending on the type of attack, counter attacks can be executed with straight thrust (against feint attacks), opposition hits( against straight thrusts) or with deceptions (disengagements against engagement). The counter attack made against the opponent`s attack uses active footwork in the time of the opponent`s movement, the success depending on the timing.

After demonstration, preparatory exercises; in a group in rows, on the trainer`s lunge the group starts their movement with step forward then with lunge the arm extending as the footwork begins. Same exercises with weapon in hand. Practice with partner, with the coach. The partner has to simulate a real straight thrust, engagement hit or feint attack.

Counter attack with oppositions hit. The blade movement is a same as that of an the opposition hit(defence) or engagement hit with opposition but with the counter attack now accompanied by advancing with a step forward or lunge started at the outset of the opponent`s attack. Against an attack to the high outside line

the counter attack is done in sixte opposition; against an attack to the high inside line, a quarte opposition. Against an attack to the low inside line, the opposition is in septime and against a low outside attack, in octave.

Counter attack with straight thrust. Against a feint attack, the best defence is a counter attack with straight At the start of the opponent`s feint attack, the counter attack with straight thrust to the target begins while advancing with a step forward or lunge.

Counter attack with deception( disengagement hit)

. Against an engagement hit, the best defence is a counter attack with deception by disengagement. As the opponent`s blade moves to contact the defender`s weapon and the attack begins to step forward, the opportunity is created to counter attack with deception ( disengagement hit) while advancing with a step forward or lunge.

Fence bout to 5 touches. Learn referee commands. Show how scoresheet works.

This is the first learning phase Level 1 for epee fencing.

It includes all the most important elements that are necessary for a complete repertoire and basic to developing to a higher level. It was very difficult to condense in 10 steps.

I agree this is too much for beginners but this is the pedagogical way. The learning’s time is depends on the beginners age and learning, developing’s speed. It is more to give a direction for instruction. I have tried to find an optimal English terminology.