How To Define an Attack in Sabre Fencing

Series Summary

Fencing is the art of swordsmanship. It has developed into a competitive sport, being one of four sports featured at each of the modern Olympic Games. Protective fencing gear consists of masks, gloves, breeches and plastron. Typically made of tough cotton and nylon and Kevlar, the full-body padding is very protective and cannot easily be punctured. Sabre fencing uses right-of-way like foil fencing, but points can be scored with the edge of the blade. This follows from the original design of sabres as edged swords, whereas the rapiers which led to foil fencing were usually pointed, thrusting blades.

In this free video series, expert fencer Jason Sheridan teaches you advanced sabre fencing. You will learn how to define an attack, how to control distance and your opponent when fencing, different moves for managing distance, options when at long range, the fencing beat attack, and more! Jason also shows you how to feint, how to receive attacks while fencing, and other moves. It's all here.

Video Transcript

"JASON SHERIDAN: On behalf of Expert Village, this is Jason Sheridan of Sheridan Fencing Academy here in New York City. Today, we're going to talk about advanced sabre fencing. On this series of advanced sabre fencing, we're going to talk about first attack and how to define it. It's very important to know what an attack is in sabre fencing. It's a very big part of the game. How do we know if someone's attacking? What matters is the relationship between the two fencers. If I am coming forward but my arm has not yet started extending, I'm not yet attacking. The extension of the arm helps define the attack. Once again, I'm coming forward. I'm threatening her but I'm not attacking. What I'm doing is preparing. If I'm preparing however, and we both extend our arms, this will be my attack. Notice I'm extending my arm, she's extending her arm at the same time, but I was preparing, I was coming forward, this made this my attack. So, what you need to look for is the extension of the arm and the movement and the relationship between the two fencers."