How to Stand at En Garde

“En Garde” is a default position in fencing. The footwork the same across all three weapons, and the blade-work is very similar.

To master en garde, and indeed, all of fencing, you must understand that fencing is a combat sport. It seeks to form straight lines, because the fastest route between A and B kills your opponent quickest. When in doubt, look for straight lines; is your back straight? Feet? Knees? Arm?

It is impossible to learn how to fence without outside help. This guide can only help you correct common mistakes. To practice and learn more, seek out your nearest fencing club.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Stand with your feet in an L, dominant foot forward (i.e., right foot for righties, left foot for lefties). This should be a perfect L, heel to heel.

2. Bending your knees, put your front foot forward; about 12 to 18 inches, depending your height. Your goal is to balance your weight, so that you can move forward or backward and up or down with equal ease.

3. Test your balance. Keeping your back straight and your front foot flat on the ground (you can move to the ball of your back foot), see if you can crouch all the way down to the ground and back again, without ever using your hands to balance. If you can’t, you’re off balance. Don’t worry about failing; it will take a few tries.

4. Once you’ve found your balance, keep your knees bent. A perfect en garde will maintain a straight line between your front foot and your front knee. Your back foot should be perpendicular to your front foot, as well as your back knee. Don’t “roll” your back knee in.

5. Extend your dominant arm, straight from your body, parallel with your front foot. Now bend that arm, bringing it down to your hip, maintaining that straight line.

6. Without moving your hand, tuck your elbow towards your body. It should feel like you’re forcing your elbow across your body. This will keep a straight line down your arm and put you into a natural parry 6 (for more, see “How to Hold a Fencing Weapon”).

7. Keep your backhand away from your body. Traditional fencing calls for curling it above your back shoulder. Modern fencing considers it appropriate to keep your backhand low, as if you were trying to touch your hip, but then let go. Either way, keep it in a straight line from your dominant arm (for balance) and off your body.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your chin up and head straight. Your head represents another 15 to 20 pounds, which are both easily forgotten and can easily throw you off balance.