Jeu de jambes

Footwork

In this post I mention the different kinds of footwork used in fencing, and their uses.

One of the most essential disciplines in fencing aside from blade work, footwork is the art of moving the feet to achieve advances, retreats, and different attacks in fencing. Footwork also works to maintain the centered balance of the fencer, as well as controlled movement.

The constant drilling of footwork exercises helps the fencer's movement to become fluid and to center their weight so that constant changes in the tempo of their actions won't throw them off balance.

Footwork Techniques

1) The On Guard Position
All techniques must start in the same On Guard (En Guarde - French) position. This is where the fencer's center of balance places their body weight evenly over both feet. Both feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the front foot facing forward, and the back foot turned to the side, perpendicular to the front.  
                Foil - It is advised to have the back foot turned forwards slightly, as that allows for more rapid advances and retreats.
               Épée - The same is true for épée, although the stance should be more upright, as it presents a less-immediate target to the opponent.
                Sabre - The same as foil, only with the body weight slightly shifted to the back foot, allowing for a more rapid advance. [1]

2) The simple advance and retreat
On the advance, the front foot leads followed by the back foot, and on the retreat the back foot leads followed by the front foot. The shoulder-width spacing between the feet should be maintained with every movement. For the advance the front foot will initially land on the heel, then the back foot will land either flat or on the ball of the foot, just as the toe of the front foot touches the ground. The opposite is true for the retreat. [1]

3) Crossover forward/ Crossover backward
In the crossover forward the back foot is brought in front of the front foot, then what was the front foot is brought back to the front in its original position.
In the crossover backward, the front foot is brought behind the back foot, and then the back foot moves back into its original position. [1]

4) The Check Step
The check step/ check, is an effective way to confuse the opponent. On the advance check step the fencer takes a half-step forward with the front foot, indicating an advance, then quickly takes a full step back.
On the retreat check step the back foot takes a half-step backwards, indicating a retreat, then quickly takes a full step forwards. [1]

5) Gaining on the Lunge
This refers to gaining ground before executing a lunge. The back foot is brought up to touch the front foot, making sure the opponent notices the action, before preforming a full lunge. This technique can result in two to three feet being gained, disrupting the tempo and cadence of the bout. [1]

6) Front Foot Withdrawal/ Reassemblement
Characterized as being a short retreat, it is preformed by moving the front foot back until it touches the back foot, generally followed by a reverse lunge. [1]

7) The Jump Lunge
The focus of the jump lunge is more forward acceleration than elevation, generated by the front foot with a kicking action. [1]

8) The Jump Backward
A reverse jump lunge with a backward momentum generated by the back foot with a backwards kicking action. It's a quick way to evade an attack. [1]

9) The Lunge
The quickest and most effective available attack to a fencer. First a thrust is executed, where the fencer extends their sword in the direction of the opponent. The front foot then lifts from the strip and kicks forward as the back foot propels the body in a forward motion and locks straight, with the inside of the foot resting on the strip. The non-sword hand is then thrown back, resting parallel to the back leg as a counter balance. [1]

10) The Flash Attack
Varies depending on the dominant hand of the fencer, the flash attack begins with a thrust from the blade, while at the same time swinging the back leg around the front leg, throwing the weight of the body forward. The back leg continues until it's well in front of the front leg, and the blade then strikes its target. [1]


For more advanced techniques there can be multiple footwork actions to one blade action, but techniques such as that must first be taught slowly, before being brought up to fencing speed.


Sources

1. Essentials of Fencing Technique. acfencers.tripod.com. Retrieved 2013-11-14.