Terms

Advance: a step forward

Beat: a sharp tap made on an opponent's blade

Bout: a fencing contest

Composite Attack: An attack by a fencer who has just parried an attack

Lunge: The most basic attack where a fencer straightens their back leg, advances their front leg and thrusts their weapon forward.

Thrust: Extending the arm and threatening the target with the tip of the weapon

Double hit: In epee, if both fencers hit within 4/100th of a second, both score a point.

En Garde: the starting position. It is also a command given by the referee to ensure the fencers are ready to begin.

Parry: A defensive action that blocks an attacking blade, keeping it off target.

Piste: The metallic mat on which fencing bouts take place

Feint: A false attack. This causes the opponent to move their guard and expose a new a new area for attack.

Riposte: The defender will riposte, or counter attack, after a parry.

Warning Zone: The areas marked at either end of the piste indicating to fencers they are nearing the penalty area of stepping of the piste.