How to Fleche in Fencing

Literally translated from French, fleche means "arrow" or a "flight of an arrow." In the sport of fencing, a fleche is a type of attack against an opponent. The fleche is the dramatic, running attack used in films and television. When executed correctly, it's an attack that's both extremely swift and surprising to your opponent. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Begin a fleche with your blade as your leading element, as this provides you speed and an immediate line of defense. The blade must move toward your target like an arrow.
2. Follow the blade with your body by shoving your rear foot off the ground as hard and fast as possible.
3. Catch your body with your forward foot and quickly leap forward off that foot in a controlled manner, so as not to lose your balance in your line of attack. This maneuver allows you to increase your speed and your momentum. Essentially, you're running toward your opponent.
4. Calculate your run to pass your opponent's front or rear, so you don't collide with him. Often, this depends on whether you are right-handed or left-handed.
5. Deliver a hit with a slight coup cave or angulation of your wrist, just as your blade reaches your opponent. This angulation should help you lessen the driving force of your blow, since your speed and momentum are highest at this point. You don't want your blade's tip to drive so hard into your opponent that it bends or breaks, risking a penalty.
6. Prepare yourself before and during your attack for a riposte or defensive hit from your opponent. Although the bout ends when you and your opponent's shoulders pass, she has more than enough time to riposte. For example, if you're passing to your opponent's right, your back is a target; therefore, you must mentally prepare for your parry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the fleche infrequently since a collision is possible, resulting in a penalty card. Also, if judges deem your fleche attack careless, or if you injure an opponent, you lose the bout and risk possible expulsion from the tournament.
• Avoid a collision with your opponent as much as possible.