|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
|
________________________________________________________________________________ Rules ________________________________________________________________________________
Fencing rules are built around a largely intuitive idea called 'Right of Way'. It is the notion that if you are being attacked you will be the most safe and successful if you stop the attack before launching your own attack. If one fencer attacks, their attack must fail before the opponent can legitimately score.
When watching Right of Way in action the attacks usually involve the whole body (though by definition, only the hand is necessary). The attacking fencer must move close enough to hit their opponent. Right of Way 'changes direction' with a beat of blades. The defender blocks the attack with a 'parry', usually a small hand movement. The defender is then the attacker (and the attacker must now defend), and must move his whole body to deliver the attack. In essence, fencing actions flow back and forth, as fencers trade roles of attacker and defender and the Right of Way shifts directions. Right of Way is only a guiding force and fencers at all levels train to be able to upset the natural back and forth nature of fencing. At any time a fencer may attack into their opponent's attack (called an 'attack on preparation'). If the defender surprises the attacker and launches an 'attack on preparation' before final part of an opponents original attack, then they win the point. Whole schools of fencing as well as national fencing styles are constructed around this feeling of timing. Both timing and right of way receive equal weight in the awarding of points, and the referee must always make fair and consistent decisions when evaluating both aspects. The exception to all this is Epee. Epee doesn't enforce Right of Way, but rather assumes an enlightened self-interest from the fencers. In Epee whoever hits first wins the point, if both fencers hit simultaneously both fencers are awarded a point. Epee is far from chaotic, bouts are characterised by an abstract, subtle version of right of way, because hitting without being hit is the best practice method of winning matches.
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Home | Links | Sitemap | Contact Us |
|
|||||||||
|
Copyright © Essex Fencing 2008 All Rights Reserved Site designed and maintained by Chris Sullivan
|
|||||||||||
