Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Fencing has a language of its own, filled with unique fencing terms that may seem overwhelming at first. Whether you’re new to the sport or just trying to keep up with your child’s progress, learning basic fencing terminology can help you follow along at practices and competitions. From Common Fencing Commands like “En Garde” and “Allez!” to essential Scoring and Tournament Terms, understanding these key phrases will make fencing more engaging and enjoyable to watch. This guide breaks down the most important terms in fencing, including rules, moves, and referee signals, so you can confidently support your young athlete. Let’s dive into the basic fencing terms every parent should know!
Basic Fencing Terms
- En Garde – The starting position in fencing where fencers stand ready to engage.
- Lunge – A forward movement where a fencer extends their front leg to attack.
- Parry – A defensive action where a fencer deflects an opponent’s attack with their blade.
- Riposte – A counterattack immediately following a parry.
- Feint – A fake attack meant to draw a reaction from an opponent.
- Touch – A valid hit that scores a point.
- Bout – A competitive match between two fencers.
- Remise – A second attack made immediately after the first one is parried or misses.
- Counter-riposte – A fencer’s response to their opponent’s riposte.
- Second Intention – A deliberate tactic where a fencer feints an attack to provoke a reaction, then follows up with a real attack.
Example: If your fencer’s coach says they need to “work on their ripostes,” they mean practicing quick counterattacks after successfully blocking an opponent’s lunge.
Fencing Weapons and Their Specific Terms
Foil:
- Right of Way (RoW) – A rule determining which fencer has priority to score.
- Target Area – Only the torso is a valid scoring area.
- Off-Target Touch – A hit outside the valid scoring area, which stops the action but does not award a point.
- Opposition – A technique where the fencer controls their opponent’s blade while attacking.
Epee:
- Full-Body Target – Any part of the body is a valid target.
- Double Touch – When both fencers hit at the same time, both receive a point.
- Absence of Right of Way – Unlike foil and saber, there is no priority rule in epee.
- Point Control – A critical skill in epee, ensuring precision when landing a touch.
Saber:
- Cutting & Thrusting – Saber allows points to be scored with both the edge and tip of the blade.
- Target Area – Everything above the waist, including the arms and head.
- Right of Way – Similar to foil, priority is given to the attacking fencer.
- Flunge – A combination of a fleche and lunge, where the fencer jumps into an attack.
Example: When a referee announces “Right of Way to Red,” it means the fencer in red had priority and will be awarded the point unless the attack was countered effectively.
Scoring and Tournament Fencing Terms
- Pool Rounds – The first stage of a tournament where fencers compete in round-robin matches to determine rankings.
- Direct Elimination (DE) – A knockout round where fencers compete until one wins the match.
- Piste – The official name for the fencing strip where bouts take place.
- Director (Referee) – The official overseeing the match, enforcing rules, and awarding points.
- Yellow Card – A warning issued for a minor infraction.
- Red Card – A penalty that results in a point awarded to the opponent.
- Black Card – A severe penalty that leads to disqualification from the tournament.
- Seeding – The ranking of fencers based on their pool round performance, which determines their placement in the elimination bracket.
Example: If your fencer finishes in the top 8 of their pool, they will receive a higher seeding in the elimination rounds, meaning they may face lower-ranked opponents first.
Common Fencing Commands
- Prêt? Allez! – The referee’s command to start the bout, meaning “Are you ready? Fence!”
- Halt! – The command to stop the action immediately.
- Corps-à-Corps – When fencers physically collide or come into contact, which is not allowed.
- Fencer’s Salute – A traditional gesture of respect performed before and after a bout.
- No Point – The referee’s signal that no valid touch was made.
- Attack No – A referee call indicating an attack was not executed correctly and does not receive Right of Way.
Tip: If you hear “Attack No,” it means your child’s move was not considered an effective offensive action under Right of Way rules.
How to Use This Knowledge to Support Your Fencer
- Follow along during practice and competitions – Understanding these terms will help you know what’s happening in a bout.
- Encourage your fencer with correct fencing terminology – Saying “Nice riposte!” rather than just “Good job!” makes a difference.
- Ask coaches and fencers for clarification – No question is too small! Coaches love to share knowledge.
- Watch professional fencing matches together – Seeing top-level fencers in action can reinforce terminology and strategy.
- Use interactive quizzes and flashcards – Turn learning fencing vocabulary into a game at home.
Common Fencing Mistakes & Misunderstandings
- Thinking the first fencer to land a hit always gets the point – In foil and saber, Right of Way determines the valid attacker.
- Confusing epee’s double touch rule with foil and saber – Only in epee do both fencers score on simultaneous hits.
- Misunderstanding penalties – A yellow card is a warning, but a red card awards the opponent a point.
- Believing that height or strength gives a significant advantage – Speed, precision, and strategy matter more in fencing.
Tip: If you’re ever unsure why a point was awarded, ask your child’s coach or another experienced fencer for an explanation!
Mastering fencing terminology takes time, but learning these basic terms will help you stay engaged in your child’s fencing journey. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or helping with training at home, knowing the language of fencing makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone!