Book Review: Classical Fencing Rule Book

Classical Fencing Rule Book by Grant Shymske moves into the rules and intricacies of classical fencing. If you stand on the side lines and watch the referee move their hands in multiple directions and don’t know what it all means then this is the right book for you. As with any martial art sport there are rules and in fencing these rules have developed over hundreds of years.

Fencing is stylized in the sense that it isn’t a knock down drag out sport. It requires considerable practice and precision to master. It also moves at lightning speed which makes it difficult to judge when parries and counter-parry's start to mesh together. Seasoned referees can judge the blade and the body positioning to call the right points.

Chapter 1: Glossary of fencing terms. The referee is known as the President.

Chapter 2: The measurements of the field known as the piste (2 X 14 meters).

Chapter 3: The fencers gear and armament. Items cannot be modified and can be rejected by judges.

Chapter 4: The process of starting and stopping fencing bouts.

Chapter 5: The list of manners and movements Presidents use to referee.

Chapter 6: The rules and areas that apply to foil fencing.

Chapter 7: The rules and areas that apply to epee fencing.

Chapter 8: The rules and areas that apply to sabre fencing.

Chapter 9: The honor code of fencing and how disputes are handled.

The book is not a particularly exciting read but provides lots of great information about the rules and technicalities of the sport. Students who desire to understand how the game operates, how decisions are made, and how points are judged should consider picking up a copy. Every student and referee should read this book at least once to gain a level of game understanding.

Shymske, G. (2012) Classical fencing rule book. Kindle Edition

Effectively Using the Inquartata in Fencing

The inquartata is a great advanced move in fencing that removes much of the body target away from the opponent’s attack. Even though it can be defeated by a remise (repeat of attack) it is still effective against most fencers. It is a move that comes from its Italian background and is not only effective but also theatrical (1). It should be practiced to ensure one can complete the inquartata with a counter-parry to make it most effective. The ending body posture does allow for considerable reach to meet the opponent.

Even though I have tried it a few times with mixed success I can honestly say that I am not a master of this move. Generally, it is conducted when the attacker extends his blade for a strike and the left foot is placed backwards to the rear stretching the chest and pulling much of the body away from the opponent’s blade. The right foot stays where it starts at the beginning of the move. The right hand holding the weapon is pushed outward to block the opponent’s blade even further from the body. Adding an opposition parry allows for a counter strike at the end of the sequence. 

The advantage of learning multiple moves is that you develop a battery of skills that can respond to different situations and strikes.  Research by Bortoli et. al. (1992) indicates that students can practice the same repetitive movements (i.e. defensive vs. attacking) with some success but are better off practicing multiple movements in one session (i.e. defensive and attacking) for higher learning. The speed of use of multiple tactics improves over time even though it seems clunky at first. 

You may watch a video on how the inquartata is completed below:

 

Bortoli, et. al. (1992). Effects of contextual interference on learning technical sports skills. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 75.

 

The All or Nothing Passata Sotto in Fencing

The Passata Sotto is an “all or nothing” move that attempts to duck under an opponent’s blade and make a single fatal strike. The move is advanced and is considered risky due to the inherent nature of being in an unprotected position. Crouching on the floor leaves little ability to move out of a counter attack or defend ones back from a strike.

“The Passata Sotto (also called Cartoccio) may be applied in all cases against the final thrust of actions directed by means of one or more movements at the outer or high trunk line. Simultaneously with your opponent’s lunge, you duck quickly by putting the left foot as far back as possible and the flat of the left hand on the floor. At the same time, turn your fist to Second Position and direct your point at your adversary’s flank.(1)”

This tactic is quick and generally needs to be practiced over and over to create a lightning speed maneuver. The problem is that it is also an exhausting move to practice and can only be engaged in a few times an hour. As one practices their lunges and strikes they are also learning the skills to complete this type of move. Even in a bout it is possible to only use once for fear the opponent will adapt. 

The general movements:

-Swing left straight back while dropping down on the left leg.

-Simultaneously place left hand on the floor for balance.

-Strike to opponent’s body.

An alternative to this fencing tactic is simply to move into a crouched position on both legs (like duck walk). This will afford the opportunity to recover if you make a mistake but may not go down far enough to have clear enough strike to the opponent’s mid section. You may need to practice both for some time before getting the hang of it. It is naturally that the opponent towers over you.

Circular and Semi-Circular Parries in Fencing

At times you may have an opponent with lots of momentum and it is necessary to move the opponent’s blade out of the way. You may have seen a similar circular parry in the movies that forces the opponent’s blade out of his hand and flings it across the deck of a ship. In actual fencing, the movement is so quick and small that it is doubtful anyone will drop their blade. It is used as a method of defense, deflection and setting up for a riposte. 

The circular parry (counter parry made in sixte) is designed to deflect and move the opponent’s blade away from a line of attack. It is often handy when the opponent uses some force with their attack and a greater degree of deflection is needed. For attacks near your wrist, a smaller circular parry is needed while attacks to other parts of the body (i.e. the shoulder) may need a larger parry.

Both the circular parry and the semi-circular parry are similar and do much of the same thing but to different lines. The semi-circular parry will take a high line attack and move it to the opposite low line away from the body. A full circular parry will redirect an inside attack and deflect it to the outside using the same high line (visa versa). 

In a circular parry the opponent attacks in the high line, the blade is swung under the attack, and then reconnects on the other side thereby deflecting the attack to the opposite direction away from the target. In the semi-circular parry you maintain contact with opponent’s blade, slide over the top of the opponent’s blade, and then deflect it downward and in the opposite direction of the original line. 

The circular and semi-circular parry is an intermediate move.

A video is worth a thousand words.