Economy

One of the principles I mentioned earlier in this blog is economy. I believe that all fencing techniques should be performed with the maximum economy of effort. Your resources in terms of energy and time are finite and therefore you should not waste them by expending energy needlessly. All too often I see fencers flailing madly at their opponent in the vain hope that they will score a hit when all that results is that they exhaust themselves early. This is especially relevant to 15 hit tournament fights when energy can tail off dramatically toward the end of a bout.

A fencer should always concentrate on moving their point towards the target area of their opponent in the most efficient manner. This means that wherever possible the point should remain in line and not be deviating from this line except for the most precise of disengagements etc. Violent waving of a foil usually results in a replacement of the point that is flat. Whilst parrying the point should not be swept across but should be controlled, again to ensure that the riposte is finally valid.

There are several techniques that I regard as the most economical.
The most basic is the direct lunge made whilst your opponent is moving toward you (not whilst they are attacking or extending their arm). The objective here being to hit your opponent before their front foot lands.
A slightly more complex attack (and one designed to gain you the right of way) is the beat attack on your opponent's preparation. Again, the intention is to beat your opponent's blade and hit them before their front foot is firmly planted, ensuring they cannot evade your attack.
A method of economical defence is to invite your opponent to attack on your own preparation and then score with an intentional parry riposte. Again, you are making your opponent do the work by lungeing although you may have to use body language and deception to induce your opponent's attack.
Finally and probably the ultimate form of economy is the derobement. You straighten your arm in an attempt to induce your opponent to engage your blade and attack down it. This is especially effective against an opponent who charges in to do it. If they take the bait you evade their engagement with a miniscule circular disengagement whilst maintaining your straight arm (n.b. most important not to bend the arm a fraction) and let them impale themselves on the end of your foil. If executed correctly this is a very satisfying move. It is not one to be tried more than once in a fight but it gives a great sense of satisfaction if successful!

There are many other economical moves and the few detailed above are just examples. The perceptive fencer will be able to think of more to add to their repertoire of economy.