Glossary of Fencing Terms

When learning fencing, you'll quickly learn that fencing has its own language. It's not just words; it's also actions. And while most people understand fencing terminology, many people don't really understand fencing concepts.

This glossary will help you get started with fencing vocabulary and fencing concepts. It includes definitions of common fencing terms, as well as explanations of fencing techniques and tactics.  This post links to my post on Columbus fencing clubs.

Advance: Taking a step towards your opponent.

Attack: Movement or series of movements by which a fencer attempts to score a point. In foil and saber, the fencer who attacks first acquires the “right‐of‐way.” In order to execute an attack properly (i.e. one that the referee will score), the fencer’s hand must clearly extend towards their opponent’s valid target in a threatening manner.

Beat: Sharp tap on the opponent’s blade to initiate an attack or provoke a response.

Engagement: Contact between the fencers’ blades – often as the initiation of an attack.

En Garde: Positions taken before fencing commences.

Feint: A false attack intended to get a defensive response from the opposing fencer, thus creating the opportunity for an attack (“feint‐disengage attack”)

Fleche: Explosive, running attack (Only in Foil and Epee.)

Flunge: Action unique to saber – a combination of a lunge and a fleche. Evolved recently after the FIE modified saber rules in 1992 to prohibit running attacks.

Guard: Part action in which a fencer blocks his opponent’s blade.

Lunge: Most common attacking technique, in which the fencer launches themselves at their opponent by pushing off from the back leg (which generally remains stationary).

Parry: Defensive action in which a fencer blocks his opponent’s blade.

Piste: French term for the fencing strip.

Point‐in‐Line: Action in which the fencer, who is generally out of attacking range, points their weapon at their opponent with their arm fully extended. A fencer who establishes a point in line has right‐of‐way, and their opponent cannot attack until they remove the blade from line by executing a beat.

Recover: The return to the en guarde position after lunging.

Riposte: Defender’s offensive action immediately after parrying their opponent’s attack. 

Second Intention: A tactic in which a fencer executes a convincing, yet false, action in hopes of drawing a true, committed reaction from their opponent.

Stop Hit, Stop Cut(saber): A counter‐action made at the moment of an opponent’s hesitation, feint, or poorly executed attack. To be awarded the point, the fencer attempting to stop hit must clearly catch their opponent’s tempo. Hence, if their Stop Hit is not “in time,” the referee may award the touch to their attacker.

Strip: Fencing area, 14 meters long by 2 meters wide.

In conclusion, we hope that you found our glossary of fencing terms useful. We know that learning these terms can be difficult. That's why we made sure to include definitions for each term, along with examples of their use in all types of fencing. So whether you want to brush up on your fencing vocabulary or you're trying to figure out which term means what, this guide is here to help!

Now that you have learned the terms used in fencing now it is time to learn about the equipment used in the sport of fencing.

We'd love to hear your feedback on this glossary, so please let us know what you thought of it. Also, if you have any suggestions for future entries, we'd love to hear them too!