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Step 1
Watch how far your opponent delivers attacks by looking at the extension of their elbow, their footwork and the level of the epee. Use the depth of the attack to determine a natural right-of-way between you and your opponent in the sense that you can start your attack where and when your opponent stops so you focus on not getting hit rather than on right-of-way rules.
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Step 2
Get on guard by extending your front foot, keeping your back foot under you (not dragging behind you) and extending your epee in such a way that the bell guard protects as much of your forearm as possible without requiring you to completely outstretch your arm.
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Step 3
Stay conservative with your attacks since in epee fencing your whole body is a target for your opponent. Use attacks like flicks cautiously and opportunistically since they expose your hand and arm to counterattack. Feint attacks to the side to get your opponent's straight arm defense out of the way long enough to launch a safe attack.
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Step 4
Use the point in the pipe technique by imagining that your opponent's arm is covered by a pipe that is slightly larger in circumference than the arm. Keep the point and line of the blade aimed to the middle of their "pipe" at all times. Importantly, return your point to the pipe after deflections, parries and your own attacks.
