Fencing midterm UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Advance - CORRECT ANSWER the basic forward movement. The front foot moves first,
beginning by lifting the toes. Straighten the leg at the knee, pushing the heel out in front. Land
on the heel, and then bring the back foot up to en garde stance.
Advance-lunge - CORRECT ANSWER An advance followed immediately by a lunge.
1--2-3 - CORRECT ANSWER An Advance, followed by a lunge might have a tempo of 1-
2---3, but an advance-lunge should have a tempo of ______.
Attack - CORRECT ANSWER The initial offensive action made by extending the sword
arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent
Beat - CORRECT ANSWER A simple preparatory (and offensive) motion. A sharp
controlled blow to the middle or 'weak' of the opponents blade, with the objective of provoking a
reaction or creating an opening. The action should knock the opponent's blade aside or out of
line.
Counter-attack - CORRECT ANSWER An attack into an established attack (that already
has right-of-way). In foil and sabre, a counter-attack does NOT have the right-of-way, and will
not gain a touch if the opposing fencer's attack lands. Retracting the arm in the middle of a
perfectly good attack can turn your attack into a counter-attack without right-of-way.
Counter-riposte - CORRECT ANSWER A second, third, or further riposte in a fencing
'phrase' or encounter; the offensive action following the parry of any riposte.
Coupe - CORRECT ANSWER also Cut-Over. Another indirect attack, being an attack or
deception that passes around the opponent's point.
, Disengage - CORRECT ANSWER A simple indirect attack made in one motion by
passing the point into the line opposite to the engagement under the opponent's blade in the high
line, or over the opponent's blade in the low line.
Feint - CORRECT ANSWER An offensive movement resembling an attack (a false
attack). It is an attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the
attack is completed.
Foible - CORRECT ANSWER The top third of the blade. This section of the blade is
weaker in terms of leverage, and is used for beats, presses, and other motions where speed is
needed and leverage is not crucial.
Forte - CORRECT ANSWER The bottom half of the blade, so named for the strength and
leverage that it provides.
Line - CORRECT ANSWER The main direction of an attack (e.g., high/low, inside /
outside), often equated to the parry that must be made to deflect the attack
Lunge - CORRECT ANSWER The most basic and common attacking movement in
modern fencing. From en garde, push the front heel out by extending the front leg from the knee.
Do not bend the front ankle, or lift up on the ball of the front foot. This means that the front foot
must move forward prior to the body weight shifting forward. As the front leg extends,
energetically push body forward with the rear leg. Rear arm extends during forward motion as a
counterbalance. Land on the front heel and glide down into final position, with front shin
perpendicular to the ground , both heels on the floor. During this action the torso should remain
relatively upright, and not be thrown forward.
Parry - CORRECT ANSWER A simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack.
Point-in-line - CORRECT ANSWER An established threat made with the extended arm; a
static threat, created by one fencer by extending the weapon and arm prior to any actions in a
phrase. Right of way in foil and sabre, but no advantages in epee.
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Advance - CORRECT ANSWER the basic forward movement. The front foot moves first,
beginning by lifting the toes. Straighten the leg at the knee, pushing the heel out in front. Land
on the heel, and then bring the back foot up to en garde stance.
Advance-lunge - CORRECT ANSWER An advance followed immediately by a lunge.
1--2-3 - CORRECT ANSWER An Advance, followed by a lunge might have a tempo of 1-
2---3, but an advance-lunge should have a tempo of ______.
Attack - CORRECT ANSWER The initial offensive action made by extending the sword
arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent
Beat - CORRECT ANSWER A simple preparatory (and offensive) motion. A sharp
controlled blow to the middle or 'weak' of the opponents blade, with the objective of provoking a
reaction or creating an opening. The action should knock the opponent's blade aside or out of
line.
Counter-attack - CORRECT ANSWER An attack into an established attack (that already
has right-of-way). In foil and sabre, a counter-attack does NOT have the right-of-way, and will
not gain a touch if the opposing fencer's attack lands. Retracting the arm in the middle of a
perfectly good attack can turn your attack into a counter-attack without right-of-way.
Counter-riposte - CORRECT ANSWER A second, third, or further riposte in a fencing
'phrase' or encounter; the offensive action following the parry of any riposte.
Coupe - CORRECT ANSWER also Cut-Over. Another indirect attack, being an attack or
deception that passes around the opponent's point.
, Disengage - CORRECT ANSWER A simple indirect attack made in one motion by
passing the point into the line opposite to the engagement under the opponent's blade in the high
line, or over the opponent's blade in the low line.
Feint - CORRECT ANSWER An offensive movement resembling an attack (a false
attack). It is an attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the
attack is completed.
Foible - CORRECT ANSWER The top third of the blade. This section of the blade is
weaker in terms of leverage, and is used for beats, presses, and other motions where speed is
needed and leverage is not crucial.
Forte - CORRECT ANSWER The bottom half of the blade, so named for the strength and
leverage that it provides.
Line - CORRECT ANSWER The main direction of an attack (e.g., high/low, inside /
outside), often equated to the parry that must be made to deflect the attack
Lunge - CORRECT ANSWER The most basic and common attacking movement in
modern fencing. From en garde, push the front heel out by extending the front leg from the knee.
Do not bend the front ankle, or lift up on the ball of the front foot. This means that the front foot
must move forward prior to the body weight shifting forward. As the front leg extends,
energetically push body forward with the rear leg. Rear arm extends during forward motion as a
counterbalance. Land on the front heel and glide down into final position, with front shin
perpendicular to the ground , both heels on the floor. During this action the torso should remain
relatively upright, and not be thrown forward.
Parry - CORRECT ANSWER A simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack.
Point-in-line - CORRECT ANSWER An established threat made with the extended arm; a
static threat, created by one fencer by extending the weapon and arm prior to any actions in a
phrase. Right of way in foil and sabre, but no advantages in epee.
