Fencing Terms Explained

In contemporary common usage, 'fencing' tends to refer specifically to European schools of swordsmanship and to the modern Olympic sport that has evolved from them.

• Attack - Initial offensive action, executed with an arm extending and threatening the valid surface with a progressive forward motion.
• Simple Attack - Direct or indirect offensive action, executed in one tempo.
• Straight Attack - Simple direct offensive action.
• Disengage Attack - Simple indirect offensive action which is passed from one side of the opponent's blade to another.
• Parry - Defensive action made with the blade to prevent the opponent's offensive action from arriving.
• Beat parry - Defensive action with the blade that deflects the opponent's offensive action by striking it sharply.
• Opposition Parry - Defensive action with the blade that deflects the opponent's offensive action without roughness and maintains contact.
• Riposte - Offensive action executed after a parry. It may be simple or compound.
• Counter Riposte - Offensive action executed after parrying the riposte. It may be simple or compound.
• Feint - Simulation of an offensive, defensive, or counter offensive action, intended to draw a reaction or the absence of a reaction from the opponent.
• Compound Attack - Offensive action preceded by one or more feints of an attack.
• Remise - Simple direct offensive or counter offensive action made after the initial offensive or counter offensive is parried, when the riposte is delayed or absent.
• Reprise - Simple indirect or composed offensive or counter offensive action made after the initial offensive or counter offensive is parried, when the riposte is delayed or absent.
• Redoublement - Forward confirmation with the footwork (lunge, fleche, etc.) after an initial attack is short or parried.
• Invitation - Movement which voluntarily opens up the target area, and attempts to provoke an offensive action.
• Indirect Attack on Preparation - Offensive or counter offensive action that consists of deceiving the blade from an offensive action.
• Compound Attack on Preparation - Counter offensive action with one or more feints made against an opponent's preparation.