Fencing Tip of the Week
April 2008 [1]
En Garde
Defined as the Fencing Stance, the fencers stance is imperitive to everything in the sport. Like a tree without roots, there is no fencing without a base, and the front and back legs provide that ‘trunk’. Front and back legs are determined by the weapon hand. A 90 degree position ‘L shape’ is created by the feet with the front foot (and knee) facing forwad. By standing at least shoulder width apart, a fencer can bend the knees and get more power with a deeper bend.
Relaxed, essential to speed is a relaxed stance – not slouching but upright.
Practice, the more comfortable a fencer is in the en garde position the more natural fencing becomes.
Tip: Practice jumping into the en garde position, when walking forward & back, then again when steping forward & back.