Tableau

Scoring Table that indicates competition draw. 

Within the poule and d/e bouts

Tang 

The part of the weapon where the handle, guard and pommel sit

Tac au Tac 

A riposte made immediately after a percussive parry by bouncing forward off the opponent’s blade. 

Tape

1/ Often used on fingers and pistol grips for added grip

2/ See foil tape

Tempo

The speed at which a fencing movement is taken, within fencing time related to cadence (conducted speed and repetition ie the beat) 

Testing 

Ensure equipment is of FIE regulations

Tester

Persons involved in the checking of competitors ensuring the following of FIE regulations 

Three (3) minutes

Standard allowable timing for a poule bout

Three Prong 

“Fil de corps épée” 

A type of epee body wire/connector; also an old- fashioned tip that would snag clothing, to make it easier to detect hits in the pre-electric era. 

Thread   

Means for attaching parts to blade – locking mechanism

Thrown Point 

Coup lancé, “bingo” 

A “flick”. 

Thrust  

Coup de pointe

 coup d’estoc

An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point. 

Tierce 

Tierce (parry no 3 Sabre position)

Parry #3; blade up and to the outside, wrist pronated. 

Time [fencing] (or Fencing Tempo):

Fencing time is the time required to perform one simple fencing action. There’s no clock measurement of this time; it’s subjectively determined by the Director.

Tip

Extreme end of weapon. In   Foil and Epee the button is depressed to score a touch

Touché 

“Point” often signaled by opponent when hit is scored

Touch 

Amount of pressure / force required to score a hit / touché

Torso 

Standard target area for foil ie not arms head or legs / also part of target for other weapons

Toss (of the coin)

1/ Determines priority when scores are tied after time has expired.  1 minute extension given to break tie.

2/ Determines top or bottom draw in an “Italian Relay” teams event

Travel spring

Spring in base of epee tip that completes circuit

Traversone:

A diagonal chest cut: banderole.

Time Hit 

Coup de temps

Also time-thrust; old name for stop hit with opposition. 

Trompement

Trompement

Deception of the parry.

Two Prong 

“Fil de corps fleuret / sabre” 

A type of body-wire/connector, used in foil and sabre.

Undercut

Sabre cutting action to weapon arm, a low line attack to underarm 

Valid

Vest

Veteran

Over 40+

Video Referee

Warning

Formal notice made by the Director to a competitor that a rule infraction has taken place and that penalties may be applied.

Weapon

The correct terminology for all the fencing apparatus

Weapon testing

Competition regulations specified by FIE standards, conducted before roll call to ensure correct weapons are used – specifically Foil stamps, Epee stamps, Sabre 2000 blades incl. FIE Stamp, Lame resistance, bodywire standards.

Weight test

Pre Bout procedure conducted to FIE standards weapons must hold and repel weight Foil 500g, Epee 750g & travel spring resistance

Whip-over 

Coup fouetté

In sabre, a touch that results from the foible of the blade whipping over the opponent’s guard or blade when parried.

Wire

Insulated Copper conductive cord connecting Tip and socket to bodywire. In Foil single, Epee double

Whites

“Tenue”

Fencing clothing.

Yellow card

Carton jaune

A penalty received resulting in a warning

Also advertisement, warning; used to indicate a minor rule infraction by one of the fencers.

Yielding

Yielding A parrying technique which uses the opponent’s pressure on the defending blade to divert the defending and attacking blades into another line where the line is then closed.

Zorro

Historical movie fictitious character Don Diego Vega (the masked Zorro), fought for his people and for Spain. Highly trained in the art of fencing

Named so as is Spanish for “Fox”

Zip

Conventional fastener for fencing gear, placed on the opposite side of the chest to the fencers arm, also used on back of jackets –  Lamé, coaching jackets

Quarte

(parry no 4) Quarte

Parry #4; blade up and to the inside, wrist supinated. 

Quinte

(parry no 5) Quinte

Parry #5; blade up and to the inside, wrist pronated. In sabre, the blade is held above the head to protect from head cuts.

Quiver

form of fencing weapon carry bag useful for short journeys

Ranking 

Points system based on competitive results – fencers “seed”

Rapier

Rapière . a long, double-edged thrusting sword popular in the 16th- 17th centuries. 

Red card  

Carton rouge 

used to indicate repeated minor rule infractions or a major rule infraction by one of the fencers; A penalty received resulting In a point awarded to the opposition 

Redoublement

Redoublement

A new action that follows an attack that missed or was parried; renewal of a failed attack in the opposite line; alternatively see Reprise.

Repêchage

Repêchage A form of competition where the losing fencer in a bout, who’s eliminated from directly qualifying to the next round, fences another losing fencer for a second chance to qualify.

Referee 

Arbitre, Président

Also director, president; the mediator of the fencing bout. 

Reflexes

A stereotyped (involuntary) motor response elicited by a defined stimulus.

Remise

Remise

Immediate replacement of an attack that missed or was parried, without withdrawing the arm. 

Reprise 

Reprise

Renewal of an attack that missed or was parried, after a return to En-Garde; see also Redoublement. 

Retreat 

Retraite

Step back; opposite of advance. Defensive backward movement

Return to guard

Action following lunge back to En-Garde position, pushing body back to upright position

Ricasso

The portion of the tang between the grip and the blade, present on Italian hilts and most rapiers. 

Roll call

Start time for all competitions

Right of way

Raison, Priorité

rules for awarding the point in the event of a double touch in foil or sabre. Awarded to priority (more skilful action) by hand first action 

Riposte

Riposte  An attack offensive action made immediately after a parry of the opponent’s attack. 

Sabre 

Figure 2 in appendix

Sabre

A fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry

Sabreur

Competitor using specific fencing weapon – Sabre

Salle 

Fencing Salle d’armes

A fencing hall or club.

Salute 

Salut

With the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one’s opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout.  Known as fencing etiquette 

Schlager

German fraternity duelling sword, used with cuts to the face and no footwork. 

Set 

Angulation of weapon to weight and balance of weapon to allow correct technique – suited to individual

Second 

(parry no 2) Seconde

Parry #2; blade down and to the outside, wrist pronated.

Second Intention

Seconde intention

A false action used to draw a response from the opponent, which will open the opportunity for the intended action that follows, typically a counter-riposte

Septime 

(parry no 7) Septime

Parry #7; blade down and to the inside, wrist supinated.

Simultaneous 

Attaques simultanées

In foil and sabre, two attacks for which the right-of- way is too close to determine.

Simple attack 

Attaque simple

An attack (or riposte) that involves no feints.

Single Stick 

Canne

A form of fencing with basket-hilted wooden sticks. 

Single-time

Also “stesso tempo”; parry-riposte as a single action. 

Sixte 

Sixte (parry no 6)

Parry #6; blade up and to the outside, wrist supinated. 

Small Sword 

Dague

A light duelling sword popular in the 18th century, precursor to the foil. 

Sockets 

Fitting on weapon attaches bodywire to aid connection to circuit

Spool 

Insulated wire on a reel connecting fencers to box

Stop Hit

Coup d’arrêt

A counter-attack that hits; also a counter-attack whose touch is valid by virtue of it’s timing.

Stop Cut

Coup d’arrêt 

A stop-hit with the edge in sabre, typically to the cuff.

Stop clock

3 minute countdown for timing fencing time of the bout within a poule bout or D/E

Spring

Simple pressure mechanism that controls weight. resistance defined for foil (500g) and Epee (750g)

Supination

The hand with the palm facing up.

Non valid 

no point

Neuvieme 

“Septime haute” 

An unconventional parry (#9) sometimes described as blade behind the back, pointing down (a variant of octave), other times similar to elevated sixte. 

Nine (9) minutes

the length of time a d/e 15 hit bout

Off target 

Touch to non specific target – non valid touch

Olympic Fencing 

Elite form of fencing sport.   FIE fencing competition 

Athletes represent their country and usually have to qualify thus then selected

On target 

Touch to specific target area – valid touch 

On guard 

spelt and pronounced “En – Garde”

One-two

One-two-three

Opposition

Opposition

1/ holding the opponent’s blade in a non-threatening line; a time- hit; any attack or counter-attack with opposition. 

2/ opponent

Opponent 

Opposite fencer on the piste

Octave 

(parry no 8) Octave

parry #8; blade down and to the outside, wrist supinated. 

Outside Line

That part of the target toward the armed hand from an imaginary vertical line drawn through the target’s center.

Overhead 

Electronic wire covering, connecting both fencers to box

Parry 

Parade

A block of the attack, made with the forte of one’s own blade. 

Pass 

Dépassement 

An attack made with a cross; eg. fleche, “Russian lunge”. Also, the act of moving past the opponent. 

Passata-sotto 

Passata Sotto

A lunge made by dropping one hand to the floor. 

Passé

Coup passé

An attack that passes the target without hitting; also a cross- step (see cross).

Passivity 

Cessation of non competitive engagement

Phrase

 Phrases d’armes

A set of related actions and reactions in a fencing conversation. 

Point  

threatening opponent with tip of weapon

Point  

awarding of a score to individual

Plastron

Plastron

A partial jacket worn for extra protection; typically a half- jacket worn under the main jacket on the weapon-arm side of the body.

Prime 

(parry no 1) Parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. The point is lower than the hand. Covers the inside line, generally the inside high line (though it can be used to cover the inside low line).

Piste’ 

Piste 

The defined linear strip on which a fencing bout is fought; approx. 2m wide and 14m long.

Piste’ line

Defined section of piste – edge 

Plaqué 

Coup plaqué

A point attack that lands flat 

Preparation 

Préparation.                                                                               a non-threatening fencing action intended to create the opening for an attack; the initial phase of an attack, before right-of-way is established

Preparation 

Pre bout routine and getting ready. 

Pre 

Pre ready

Presentation 

Offering one’s blade for engagement by the opponent. 

Prong 

2 or 3 prong

Priority 

Priorité

In sabre, the now super-ceded rules that decide which fencer will be awarded the touch in the event that they both attack simultaneously; also used synonymously with right-of-way. Awards the more skilful action.

Prime

Prime (parry no 1)

Parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. 

Pistol Grip

Crosse; poignée orthopédique

A modern, orthopaedic grip, shaped vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and Visconti. Can be designed to suit individual 

Point

Touche

a valid touch; the tip of the sword; an attack made with the point (ie. a thrust) 

Point in Line 

Menace

Also line; an extended arm and blade that threatens the opponent. 

Pommel

Pommeau

A fastener that attaches the grip to the blade. 

Metal weight on end of tang / grip

Poule 

Seeding bouts of competition. Round robin bout 

Pool Unique

A form of competition where everyone fences everyone to determine relative rankings

Press

Presser v. pression

An attempt to push the opponent’s blade aside or out of line; depending on the opponent’s response, the press is followed by a direct or indirect attack. 

Principle of Defence 

Principe de défense

The use of forte against foible when parrying. 

Pronation

Indirect

Attaque indirecte

A simple attack or riposte that finishes in the opposite line to which it was formed.

Instinct

Ability to maintain control (the ego) and reach a state of success as a physical being relying on the pragmatic use of force and aggression; unlearned physical response. Compare Intellect.

Insulation

“Spaghetti”

Plastic tubing used to insulate copper wire from the blade used in the guard and socket of the weapon, commonly called “spaghetti”

Insistence 

 Coup droit d’autorité

Forcing an attack through the opponent’s parry.

[First] Intention

An action you make with conscious intent to score.

[Second] Intention

In Quartata 

In quartata

An attack made with a quarter turn to the inside, concealing the front but exposing the back. 

In Time

Coup de temps

When a stop-hit arrives at least one fencing time before the original attack.

Inside Line

Part of the target toward the unarmed hand from an imaginary vertical line drawn through the center of the target.

Interception

A counter-attack that intercepts and checks an indirect attack or other disengagement. 

Invitation

Invite

A line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack. 

Italian Grip 

Poignée italienne 

A traditional hilt with finger rings and crossbar. 

Italian relay

Form of competition between 2 teams of 3 fencers, each fencer has 3 bouts each the first team to 45points wins

Jacket

Protective clothing covering torso and arms of fencer, fitted to body type and FIE regulated LH/RH, traditionally white

Judges

Additional officials who assist the referee in detecting illegal or invalid actions, such as floor judges or hand judges.

Jump

1 / Athletic action to avoid opponent.

2 / A forward or backward movement where both of your feet leave the ground simultaneously and land simultaneously

Junior 

under 20

Jury 

The 4 officials who watch for hits in a dry fencing bout. 

Lamé

Plastron électrique 

A metallic outer vest/jacket used to detect valid touches in foil and sabre. 

Leaving strip

Illegal movement off the designated piste 

Lesson 

Instructive coaching session either individual or group

Line 

Ligne

The main direction of an attack (eg., high/low, inside/outside), direction of blade. often equated to the parry that must be made to deflect the attack; also point in line.

Lights 

red, green, white

Low line

Blade / arm position aimed at lower torso

That part of the target area below an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the center of the target.

Lunge

Fente

A ballistic attacking movement made by extending the rear leg and landing on the bent front leg. Typically beginning with the hand extending first in time with action

Manipulators

 Manipulateurs

The thumb and index finger of the sword hand. 

Martingale 

Martingale

A strap that binds the grip to the wrist/forearm. 

Mask 

Protective head / face covering wore by fencers, strong FIE standard metal mesh. weapon specific target area 

(Sabre/ Epee)

Mask wire

Conductive insulated wire connecting Sabre Lame to Sabre Mask

Mask bib        

Protective throat covering attached to base of mask

Master of arms

Maitre d’Armes 

In fencing, the title is awarded by various fencing institutions for mastery at instruction as judged by the institution. This also includes submitting a written thesis on an aspect of fencing instruction equivalent to a university master’s thesis. Maestro is the Italian and Spanish word for master

The traditional levels of achievement awarded are, in ascending order,Moniteur, Prevot, and Maitre d’Armes (Monitor, Prevost, and Master of Arms).

Match 

Match 

the aggregate of bouts between two fencing teams. 

Mal-parry 

Parade insuffisante

Also mal-paré; a parry that fails to prevent the attack from landing. 

Maraging 

Maraging 

A special steel used for making blades; said to be stronger and break more cleanly than conventional steels.

Measure

 Mesure

The distance between the fencers. 

Middle

 Milieu de la lame 

The middle third of the blade, between foible and forte. 

Multimeter

Electrical device used to test fencing equipment 

Moulinet

A whirling cut, executed from the wrist or elbow. 

Misses

A referee decision: attack falls short or actually misses target

Musketeer

 1 / Often named Junior fencers class

 2 / Historically an elite guard unit charged with protecting the  

 French King 

 3 / Often told story “The Three Musketeers” (Les Trois   

 Mousquetaires) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas.  It recounts   

 the adventures of a young man called D’Artagnan after he  

 leaves home to become a musketeer. D’Artagnan is not one  

 of the musketeers of the title; those are his friends Athos,  

 Porthos, and Aramis. 

 4 / A foot soldier armed with a musket

False

Fausse attaque

An action that is intended to fail, but draw a predicted reaction from the opponent; also, the back edge of a sabre blade.

Feint

Feinte an attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the attack is completed.

Fencing

The art or sport of using a foil, épée, or saber in attack and defense.

Fencing Distance

The space between two fencers at any given moment.

Fencing Socks

Long knee length socks padded to protect shins, worn to the knee, historically white

Fencing Shoes

Specifically designed flat rubber soled sports shoes for the competitive level – flexible, flat and light weight, sole extends to the heel can be left or right handed

Fencers

Persons skilled in the art / sport of fencing

Fencing Victoria

(VAFA) Fencing Association of Victoria 

Fencing time

 Temps d’escrime

Also temps d’escrime; the time required to complete a single, simple fencing action. 

F.I.E

Fédération Internationale d’Escrime

The regulatory organizing world governing body of international fencing.

Final

Last competitive bout of a competition 

Finale

The last movement of an offensive or defensive action.

Fifteen (15) hits

15 individual awarded points in direct elimination bout

Five (5) hits

 5 individual awarded points in poule bout

Flank

Side of torso, lateral aspect of torso beneath arms

Flash  

award received for completing a “Form”

Fleche

Flèche

lit. “arrow”; an attack in which the aggressor leaps off his leading foot, attempts to make the hit, and then passes the opponent at a run.

Flick

Coup lancé, “Bingo” 

a cut-like action that lands with the point, often involving some whip of the foible of the blade to “throw” the point around a block or other obstruction.

Flunge

Leaping athletic lunge, both feet land forwards in same sequence, Sabre specific action which replaces fleche

Foible

Le faible de la lame

The upper, weak part of the blade.

Foil  

Figure 3 in appendix

Fleuret

A fencing weapon with rectangular cross-section blade and a small bell guard; any sword that has been buttoned to render it less dangerous for practice.

Foilist

Competitor using specific fencing weapon – Foil

Foil tape

Protective wrap used to insulate foible / barrel of weapon prevents “earthing” of tip on opponents lame’ 

Footwork 

Physical movement of foot / legs forwards – backwards direction specific aids timing, tempo, distance, 

essential in the mastering of the sport

Forte 

Le fort de la lame

the lower 3^rd, strong part of the blade, used to parry, defensive area of weapon

French grip

Poignée droite 

A traditional hilt with a slightly curved grip and a large pommel.

Froissment

Froissement  an attack that displaces the opponent’s blade by a strong grazing action. 

Flying Parry or Riposte 

A parry with a backwards glide and riposte by cut-over. 

Florentine

Combat à la florentine 

A fencing style where a secondary weapon or other instrument is used in the off hand. 

Finta in tempo 

Finta in tempo   lit. “feint in time”;

A feint of counter-attack that draws a counter-time parry, which is decieved. a compound counter-attack.

Fuller

the groove that runs down a sword blade to reduce weight

Gauntlet 

Sabre target area on weapon arm, protective section of glove

Glove 

Weapon hand specific protective covering, aids in gripping of handle

Glide

Coulé

See coule’.

Glue 

Adhesive paste used for affixing weapon wires in blade groove channel.

Grip

The handle of weapon, orthotic or French, Italian; historically wood, may be wrapped in leather plastic or rubber

Grub screw

Small fixing screws (2) used to secure tip in the barrel. In Foil and Epee

Guard

Coquille

The metal cup or bow that protects the hand from being hit. Also, the defensive position assumed when not attacking. 

Hand judge

Persons called in to observe a bout they watch for hits on the fencer opposite their end of the strip. A judge acknowledges a hit by raising his or her hand, attracting the attention of the referee

Hand signal 

Form of semaphore used by the referee to describe and signal actions – effective for TV and large venues.

Halt / Stop

Cessation of action called for by the referee

High line

Blade / arm position aimed at upper torso.

That part of the target area above an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the centre of the target.

Hit 

Touch to target area

Hilt

Garde the handle of a sword, consisting of guard, grip, and pommel. 

Homologated 

Homologué 

Certified for use in FIE competitions, eg. 800N clothing and maraging blades. 

Honour

Sportsmanlike behaviour synonymous with fencing – etiquette involving the salute, hand shaking and acknowledgements

Cadence:

The rhythm of a fencer’s movements.

Ceding Parry:

A yielding parry. Allowing the attacker to keep control of the blade during a prise de fer ; as the prise de fer is completed, the defender then bends his arm into the line in which the prise de fer has carried his blade. By doing this, the attacker’s point, during his final thrust, falls into the forte of the defender’s blade and is deflected from the target.

Certificate 

Award received on completion of grading. 

Champion

1 / A fencer who achieves first place in a competition                     2 / commonly given term for a fencer skilled in the art of fencing.                                                                                      3 / A fencer currently holding the current tournament title ie World Champion, Olympic Champion, National Champion

Classement

Classement                                                                              A Fencer’s classification (Rank) in a competition

Change of Engagement

Engagement of the opponent’s blade in the opposite line. 

Closed Line

Coach 

Person who teaches fencers technical skills via group and individual lessons, sanctioned and a certified instructor

Coaching jacket

Protective outer jacket worn be coach as target area for student, often leather or rubber lined.                                                        Traditionally black, brown or dark blue.

Counter-attack

Contre-attaque

An attack made against the right-of-way, or in response to the opponent’s attack. 

Counter-time 

Contre-temps

An attack that responds to the opponent’s counter- attack, typically a riposte following the parry of the counter-attack. 

Counter-parry 

Contre-parade

A parry made in the opposite line to the attack; ie. the defender first comes around to the opposite side of the opponent’s blade.

Counter-riposte 

Contre-riposte

An attack that follows a parry of the opponent’s riposte. 

Commanding the blade

Grabbing the opponent’s blade with the off-hand, illegal in sport fencing. 

Competition

Fencing event ordered into poule bouts and then d/e bouts resulting in seeds and then a final champion

Conversation 

Conversation 

The back-and-forth play of the blades in a fencing match, composed of phrases (phrases d’armes) punctuated by gaps of no blade action. 

Corps-a-corps 

Corps à corps

lit. “body-to-body”; physical contact between the two fencers during a bout, illegal in foil and sabre. 

Coquille

The bell-shaped guard of a foil or epee

Counter-disengage 

Contre-dégagement

A disengage in the opposite direction, to deceive the counter-parry. 

Coup lancé 

See flick ; “Coup déjà lancé” (Art. 32.2; 46; 47) : 

A launched hit; an attack that starts before a stop in play but lands after. Valid for normal halts, but not valid at end of time. 

Coup de taille

Coup de taille

An attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, landing with the edge or point. 

Cross

 Passe avant, passe arrière

An advance or retreat by crossing one leg over the other; also passe’ avant (forward cross), passe’ arriere (backwards cross). 

Coulé

Coulé

Also graze, glise’, or glissade; an attack or feint that slides along the opponent’s blade. 

Compound attack

Attaque composée ou parade composée

Also composed; an attack or riposte incorporating one or more feints to the opposite line that the action finishes in. also composed; an action executed in two or more movements

Conversation

The back-and-forth play of the blades in a fencing match, composed of phrases (phrases d’armes) punctuated by gaps of no blade action. 

Croise

Croisé

Also semi-bind; an action in which the opponent’s blade is forced into the high or low line on the same side.

Cut

An attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, normally landing with the edge. 

Cut over / Coupe

Coupé

Also cut-over; an attack or deception that passes around the opponent’s tip.

Deception 

Deception                                                                               Avoidance of an attempt to engage the blades; see disengage, coupe’

Demi-contre parry  

Demi-disengage

Derobe 

Dérobement

Deception of the attack au fer or prise de fer.

Derobement

Dérobement

Avoidance of an attempt to engage the blades; see disengage, coupe’

Dexterity 

Adroitness in using the fingers to manipulate the blade involving fine / gross motor skills 

Direct

Coup droit

A simple attack or riposte that finishes in the same line in which it was formed, with no feints out of that line. 

Disarm

Forcing the opponent to entirely release his grip on his weapon.

Disengage

Dégagement

A circular movement of the blade that deceives the opponent’s parry, removes the blades from engagement, or changes the line of engagement.

Displacement

Esquive                                                                                   Moving the target to avoid an attack; dodging. 

Direct elimination

Bout to 15 hit / touches to continue progression in a competition

D/T 

Tournament Director

Double (Hit)

Coup double in epee, two attacks that arrive within 40-50 ms of each other. 

Doublé 

Doublé

An attack or riposte that describes a complete circle around the opponent’s blade, and finishes in the opposite line. 

Double-time:

Also “dui tempo”; parry-riposte as two distinct actions. 

Dry

Fleuret (épée, sabre) mécanique

Also steam; fencing without electric scoring aids. 

Duck

Physically avoiding attack in a downward action

Edge

Outer line of blade (Sabre)

En-garde

En garde

1/ also On Guard; the fencing position; the stance that fencers assume when preparing to fence.

2/ term used to start a bout

Engage-ment 

Engagement

When the blades are in contact with each other, eg. during a parry, attack au fer, prise de fer, or coule’.

Envelopment 

Enveloppement

An engagement that sweeps the opponent’s blade through a full circle.

Epee

Figure 1 in appendix 

Épée

A fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard; also a light duelling sword of similar design, popular in the mid-19th century.

Epeeist

Competitor using specific fencing weapon – Epee 

Escrime

“Fencing” in French language

Esquive

Any body movement made to avoid being hit, such as ducking, side stepping, withdrawing.

Exhaustive sheets

Type of Competitive format used to define exact position of each fencer.

Extension

Thrusting with the weapon arm.

Absence of Blade

Absence de fer. 

When the blades are not touching; opposite of engagement. 

Advance

Marche. 

A movement forward by step, cross, or balestra. 

AFF

Australian Fencing Federation

Aids

Aides. 

The last three fingers of the sword hand.

Allez

“Fence / Go”

Alligator clip

Metal clip attaching body wire to Lamé conducting electrical signals during bouts for Foil, Epee

Analysis

Reconstruction of the fencing phrase to determine priority (more skilful action) of touches

Arm 

Weapon holding or sword arm and target in Sabre / Epee 

Armourer 

Person responsible for weapon repairing / maintenance at a competition, often sells fencing gear as well.

Assault

Assaut, Combat. 

Friendly combat between two fencers. 

Attack

Attaque. 

The initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent.

Attack au Fer

Attaque au fer

An attack that is prepared by deflecting the opponent’s blade, eg. beat, froissement, pressure.

Back arm

Non weapon arm, must be away from target area, used for balance

Back foot

90 ^o  to front foot, leads backwards movement

Back hand

Non weapon hand, not used except for balance, offered to shake hands at end / beginning of bout.

Back leg

Trailing leg, bent at 90 ^o

Back line

End of fencing piste / strip, penalty applies when back over end

Barrage

A fence off between two or more fencers who are tied in the competition results.

Balestra

Balestra

A forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche.

Baudry Point

Baudry point: a safety collar placed around a live epee point to prevent dangerous penetration.

Bayonet 

Connecteur à baïonnette 

A type of electrical connector for weapons. 

Beat 

 Battement

An attempt to knock the opponent’s blade aside or out of line by using one’s foible or middle against the opponent’s foible. 

Benderole

In Sabre A flowing / rolling diagonal chest cut.

Bind

Liement

An action in which the opponent’s blade is forced into the diagonally opposite line.

Black Card

Carte noir 

A penalty received

Used to indicate the most serious offences in a fencing competition. The offending fencer is excluded from the event or tournament with no points awarded

Board  

Target board used for exercises

Bodywire

Electrical cord that plugs blade and lame into circuit

Bout 

Match

A formal “combat” between 2 fencers at which the score is kept. 

Bout Line

Bout plane

Box 

Electrical apparatus that is used by all 3 weapons, circuit used, eg blade –> bodywire –> spool -> box used to assist referee in competition, scoring apparatus.

Breeches

Protective pants, knee high traditionally white, FIE sanctioned in competition.

Broken Time 

Changement de Rythme

A sudden change in the tempo of one fencer’s actions, used to fool the opponent into responding at the wrong time. 

Button

Mouche; Bouton

The safety tip on the end of practice swords.

Break