Basic fencing footwork: en garde, advance, retreat, lunge, parry and riposte

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Ask any fencing coach what matters most and the answer is nearly always footwork. Blade skills only work if you are at the right distance at the right moment, and that comes from your legs. This guide covers the basic positions and actions you will learn in your first weeks. Descriptions are for a right-handed fencer; left-handers mirror everything. Techniques vary a little between coaches and weapons, so treat your coach's version as the one to follow.

En garde

The ready position, used in all three weapons.

Stand side-on, feet roughly shoulder-width apart, at a right angle to each other: front foot pointing at your opponent, back foot pointing sideways.
Bend both knees so they sit over the toes. Do not let the front knee collapse inwards.
Keep your weight evenly between the feet and your back straight.
Weapon arm slightly bent, elbow a hand's width in front of the body.
In foil and épée the back arm is usually raised, bent upwards for balance; in sabre it often rests on the hip.

Hold this position until it feels natural. Most beginners stand too tall; low and relaxed is the aim.

Advance

Lift the front toes and step forward with the front foot, landing heel first.
Bring the back foot forward the same distance.
Finish back in en garde, feet the same distance apart as before.

Keep your head at the same height throughout; bobbing up and down is the most common fault.

Retreat

Step back with the back foot first, landing on the ball of the foot.
Bring the front foot back the same distance.

Always move the foot in the direction of travel first. Crossing your feet unbalances you.

Lunge

The lunge is the basic way to reach an opponent who is just out of range.

Extend the weapon arm first, so the point leads.
Kick the front foot forward, lifting the toes, while the back leg drives and straightens.
Land on the front heel with the front knee directly over the ankle, not beyond the toes.
The back foot stays flat on the floor; the back arm swings down and back for balance.
Recover by pushing back with the front leg and bending the back knee to return to en garde.

A good lunge is quick and controlled, not long and wobbly. Overextending strains the front knee and leaves you stranded.

Parry

A parry deflects the opponent's blade with your own, using the stronger part of your blade near the guard.

Small, efficient movements of the hand and fingers are better than big arm swings.
Parries are named by number for the area they protect. Beginners commonly learn a parry on the inside line and one on the outside line first; your coach will show you which ones for your weapon.
In épée, where the hand and arm are target, keeping the guard well positioned is part of defence.

Riposte

The riposte is your attack straight after a successful parry. In foil and sabre, a parry gives you right of way, so a quick riposte is the classic way to win the point.

Riposte immediately, before your opponent recovers.
A direct riposte goes straight to target; later you will learn indirect ones that go around the opponent's blade.

How to practise

Short, frequent footwork sessions beat long ones. Ten minutes a day at home makes a real difference.
Use a mirror or film yourself side-on to check knee position and head height.
Practise with a partner leading and you following at a fixed distance; it trains reactions as well as legs.
Warm up properly, and stop if your knees or ankles hurt.

Which action are you working on, and what drill helped you most? Share your questions and tips in the comments below.