How to Fence : How to do the Balestra & Quartata in Advanced Fencing Footwork

[georgedodia]

Brad Bogus... What a priceless name.

[FJKinc]

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW that lunge you did SHOWS u dont no shit ur knee is WAY over ur foot ur gonna fall or hurt ur ankle if you keep lunging lik that -.-

[talebi818]

Just avoid the blade by any means necessary.

[aznl99]

What a sloppy Balestra..

[CousCous102]

His name is brad bogus, lol

[TheCausalParadox]

Why is he doing a fencing instructional video without holding a foil?

[wakymonster]

he does know how to fence...u dont......(ps to mrztwilight)

[akithesniper]

If you`ll do that "Quartata" in a fencing competition you`ll get a warning for facing your back to your opponent, if you`ll do that again, your opponent will earn a point.. So, This is bullshit...

[Mystery13Cat]

@MrzTwilight

Why do you say that?

[Membersacc]

To be a balestra the lunge is required.

[StaleDonutPictures]

in short guys, this guy is an asshole.

[ridely700]

@DragonZord90 -_- that was combat fencing now its modern fencing

[Johansson315]

He don't learn good. And he don't show how to reverse. The basic rules.

[IzInb0undzI]

how is this advanced?

[567White]

this babys en garde is so bad he probably shits himself,poor baby

[shwedda]

please tell me you do not actually fence. that Quartata was ridiculous. without a parry it would be absolutely useless anyway, and im pretty sure your step would get you carded for boundries.

[BluSoundProductions]

thats crap... let's see him try that in competition!! I'd flick it on his back.lol The last time I fenced was at JO's back in like '96..but I could still beat this guy, no problem.lol

[evannalynchje]

... That lunge is awful! Really... Why make it tutorial?

[Astur56]

This guy has no clue. I've coached little kids that can do both things better. The quartata is a subtle movement.. one of several that make up the "arrest" collection.. the back-step shoud be shorter,.. the body should be totally straight (that bending is ridiculous).. the idea is to take your body away from your opponents line of attack, while keeping your arm and weapon in line. Normally this is done against a fleche attack, and your opponent will just run into your point.

[rith5]

GUYS WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THIS IS AN EXPERT VILLAGE VIDEO

watch some more expert village videos (try their drumming videos) and you'll know what im talking about

[MLSxxx13]

"brad bogus"... Well, thats convincing.

[oldschoolbamf]

Oh wow thank you for teaching me how to turn my back close my eyes and hit em, that use to be my favrite counter after I progressed from the squat haha. BUt one time in the semi finals of a comp I repeatedly used that on my oponent After yellow card thrown out i was red carded twice! and i lost because of it! oh man did i cry. :'(

[omsigbug]

looks totally gay ...I prefer Kendo...much much much better both to watch and practice

[kendoka0girl]

Inquartata is one of my fav counterattacks.

[uvaltito]

be carefull you are looking a bit gay here

[billwaddle]

gtfo of my youtubes

[xXL0rdV4d3rXx]

Be careful with the quartata. It's okay, but even some FIE refs will call you for covering target when it isn't warranted at all, let alone your average ref.

Sure, the rules have changed to allow that sort of action in foil, but at the end of the day, the rules don't help you. It's the ref's interpretation of them. Sad, but true.

[Brickster1324]

@xXL0rdV4d3rXx Yea. But you can always give em a flick ont he back. Refs these days are terrible.

[theresistancelives]

awarded a penalty?

really?

[Scharppslicer]

One can easily cam up and 'show' us the correct way if you disagreed. Then YOU can be the one with undereducated comments from the less learned. Less then 10 years doesn't make one an expert (commentator).  Bogus, at least you had the courage (keyword) to try. Now we return with the regularly scheduled snears, cheers, and leers.

[titinako]

Who´s this moron??

[pingnwhs]

@MrzTwilight He DOESN"T KNOW HOW TO FENCE!!

[fencerX123]

how stupid your a idiot

[xxTheNewbreed]

Why must the fencing outfits look so dumb!?

[cryotimber]

@xxTheNewbreed It's in the name of safety my friend haha

[skullythebloger]

@xxTheNewbreed i got a custiom black and red skull one that looks kinda cool

[ChrisRiley93]

Come on guys! He might not be the best fencer, but his name is Brad Bogus for Christs sake. What can you expect from someone who is bogus? LOL!

[CoopaTroopa96]

Brad Bogus is a crappy name.

[ballubasch]

Arrrg! Exposing your back is illegal in fencing!!!

[whitetiger82821]

@ballubasch

turning your back no the back of your head yes.

[campbell1186]

Wait, this is terrible. Neither of these moves are shown properly. Both the balestra and lunge were poorly executed, and the inquartata isn't supposed to look like a slow motion bow. Wow. Embarrassing. This is exactly the type of thing that makes people think fencing is uncool.

[mooseface97]

his ballestra looks weird. i was taght to actually jump forward with booth feet, unlike his were he raises his front foot and jumps foward with his back foot

[yihd]

@mooseface97 His ballestra is almost correct. Yes, you are supposed to raise front foot and skip forward. Not both feet. both feet would be a skip forward.

[funayso]

is the quartata legal in epee?

[hpufo]

In epee balestra means stab me.

[Sarevan]

@hpufo yeah...not the smartest move to try in epee; unless you enjoy being stabbed in the back. I wouldn't try it in sabre either, that would just be painful....and probably illegal.

[muresug]

The expression is Inquartata and its just a body displacement. In Italy I was told to use it only against a foolish opponent who has the habit of trying to constantly hit the inside line. The reason being that the velocity of the horizontal thrust is nearly always superior to the torso displacing sideways. Inquartat only works when you KNOW the opponent is going to make a simple lunge to the deeper target area.

[artist6861]

this dude got crotch rot at :34 lol i like broad sword fighting better than this pixie ish

[theclassact56]

i fenced for 7 years and i have never heard of a quartata, and that is the worst technique of a balestra i have ever seen except from a beginner, just looks like a prancing fool

[ChiaraMcD]

the quartata is quite old-school fencing, but i've seen it used quite often with fencers that are pushed right up to the end of the piste. you're right about the balestra though :)

[bigponypolo23]

this vid sucks

[artist6861]

preech it brotha!!!

[mendu78]

The best way to educate by a video is to show the correct movements all the time by the book and if u can't make this movements then ask somebody who can to help u showing em while you explain Also u need to explain very clear the proper use of the action, the tempo, the change of speed (rythm) and so. I think u need to improve a lot for ur next videos but Go ahead. Sorry for my spelling, i speak spanish. Andres D veteran fencer and Master of Arms dipomated at the Semmelweiss University,Hungary.

[barneymilk2k5]

brad bogus is bogus. His advance example is like 3-4 of my.

[MultiMagic88]

this is my bff's uncle brad, she says hi

[antleredzen]

Balestras need to be small not big or you may as well do a step. Can anyone see how close his feet are together? they are closer than one foot and any coaching manual in the world will say they need to be shaulderwidth apart. Seriously I have a 13 year old whos been doing fencing for 6 months and he could run rings around this 'expert'

[therabbitscartoon]

lol

[hfiskjd]

this guys bad no offence

[Fastest0Jason]

Wow balestra so big. so much easier to balance with a smaller balestra, and also if you get parried early during your balestra, you'll have to land and take 2 steps back to get to your orginal position and then move back from their reposte. You will have finally moved back 10 years after the opponent has hit u. Good Luck.

Dont get me started on that Quartata...

[cheesemuffin94]

Oh and also if you don't fence yet then stop watching this guys videos because he executes almost all of his moves wrong and dosen't seem to know the actual rules of fencing

[LtRealness]

he's American..what do you expect? :D

[cheesemuffin94]

They changed the rule a year ago so that you can no longer put either of your feet entirely outside of the strip

[slayerming1]

yeah isn't that touch against

[tiffanyandthings]

I wish I could try fencing. It looks fun. No one does it where I live though.

[BeauEvil]

There is no need for equipment or opponents in the beginning anyway. (The old Hungarian school wouldn't let a student touch a weapon for TWO YEARS!)

Start with lots and LOTS of foil footwork, body sideways, in a deep squat, to build really strong legs. You must master moving fast and low, without closing up your feet, kind of like a tank. The rest is pretty easy.

When you're ready, most colleges have some sort of fencing. Consider a fencing vacation. But, get your legs ready first!

[assassin7999]

which state do you live in? cuz if u live on the east or west coast, you should find a club VERY easily. if you're in the midwest, like me, its harder to find a good club

[WestyFan]

Where is that? There are fencing clubs in some surprising locations.

[xXKushmanXx]

@tiffanyandthings: Same here.

[joemann1313]

@tiffanyandthings same here man i live in rugeley

[FJKinc]

@tiffanyandthings u should just dont learn it from him he sucks -.-

[killerfencer]

The balestra is one of the hardest footwork fencing moves. you see pro's do it allda time, but it has a share of risks.

[sanoichiro1]

this guy is so bad i feel like he should be on web soup for fencers

[kit338]

xD so many criticisms about form and execution!!! Unfortunately, i have to agree with most of them. Makes you wonder what kind of actual sparring/fencing time these experts have had...

FYI, bad idea to use any move that has such large downsides, like these moves do, unless you can definitely execute them more quickly than your opponent. Even then, only do it in a bind with a recklessly rushing opponent.

And no bouncing up like this guy. You'll be pinned in mid-air. ;P

[MarcArtem]

Buy " Powerful Fencing Footwork" digital book on E-Bay and understand the Finesse of Fencing footwork.

[PS3joecheatle]

worst stance ive seen since aids

[Drunkensquid43]

His balestra goes up instead of forward...and he doesn't even bother to change the tempo when he goes into the lunge. and i'm pretty sure you're allowed to have one foot off of the strip before you hit during a quartatta...but maybe i'm wrong?

they change the rules so often...

[PirateXoXGirl]

this guys doing everything wrong! at my exclusive fencing club, we don't fence anything like that!

[EdantesIII]

The way the guy in the video does that crap imitation of an inquartatta would get him carded wouldn't it? I'm sure FIE made it illegal to turn your back on an opponent, or have I got the new ruling mixed up?

[epeeprincess]

You have to keep your head facing your opponent and you can't turn your back all the way.  He also would get carded for bending over like that.

[cdavisfour]

everything is wrong but the worst thing was the lunge. incorrectness in balestras and inquartattas are understandable(while unacceptable in coaching) but lunges in which you lift your whole body up 4 inches, move your leg back before forward and reach a distance away of about one advance? come on..

[doomdude873]

does is shock you when you fence

[PS3joecheatle]

nope

[doomdude873]

your mom did in bed

[BDpill359]

His jumps (or Balestra I guess, nobody says that at my club (Halberstadt)) are too large.

And his Inquartata's are too obvious, slow, and stiff.

[genrich85]

inqartatta is used by good fencers all the time. but it does NOT look like the guy on the video demonstrates. Italian fencers like Baldini and the young Luperi uses it quite lot on competitions.

[darkkclovers]

lol expertvillage rocks XD

[fencingismysoul]

He does everything wrong..... it's actually called a inquartatta or pissata soto. and for an inquartatta you dont throw yourself off to the side. ANY fencer could run you through if you did that. you somewhat over extend your lunge and drop your body lower stabilizing it with your un armed hand. and dark hermit is right, balestra is a small hop with a feint then coupe into lunge for a touch

[fencingismysoul]

mk. i ment jeffv2000 is right bout balestra. but dark hermit is right about inquartatta

[BDpill359]

"Pissata Soto" is quite a different action. That's when you basically fall into a lunging position with your torso leaned over and one hand on the ground. Sorry if I seem like a smartass, I'm just trying to help.

Also, my description was not very good, but the two actions are very different.

[cyrexlatvia]

Oh...This is a perfect junk for amateurs...but if you want to learn fencing...than go to a place were is at least one profesional fencer...

Yes i can be negative about these videos, becuz i am a real fencer and this looks funny enough...

Better i suggest for begginers is to watch a maches of quite big pros like Joppich ...

and try to do what they are doing..cheers

[jeffv2000]

I think the author has been misinformed:

The balestra is a jump-lunge. The author demonstrates the jump nicely, but thats not a balestra. The balestra is the combination of a jump and then carrying the momentum forward into a lunge for more speed and greater distance than a standard advance-lunge. In ten years of fencing and study have never heard of anyone calling a backwards jump a balestra.

[cyrexlatvia]

I started when i was 7 (sun) now im 18 (sun) .. and believe fencing just begins at age 18-25(40) ...So no mather when you start...mathers only what you want to reach... Fencing just for fun or fence in FIE level...I have fenced a lot of FIE competitions, WC. EC... my first WC was in LInz.. and then , wasnt even a cadet ...

[PS3joecheatle]

dude this guys sucks have you seen his feet coming together all the time hes bobbing up and down

[razenderoeland8]

This quartata will not give you any points if you pass the piste... In fact, the chance of getting a yellow card is quite big.

[thurayo]

hi there astarted when i was 20 and i dont think that i will stop playing this sport

[PS3joecheatle]

shitty shoes

[charlieismystagename]

is there a minimum age to start fencing? or can it be done at any age

[Daaanvh]

I did it when I was 7 years old, so I think that it can be done at any age.

[Chinkx420]

My friend and I have been trying to get into fencing. Unfortunately the materials and classes are way too expensive for us... so I'm trying to get as much as I can from your videos.

[twilightprince12323]

i'm 16 and i've just started, once you get used to it, it starts to feel natural, now Sabre is a different story...

[GreytaleNovastar]

Sabre is definitely a different story. :)

[bubblebaby6]

ok im bout 15 and do u think its too late to start taking begining lesson?????? because im worried i'll be in a 16 yearold class and find im the only one that sux or is just startin... plz give me some advice

[GreytaleNovastar]

It is never too late to begin something... especially to find out whether or not you may love it for the rest of your life.

[dejpau3825]

Noooo, I didn't start until I was 18!!! Go for it! Most people don't even start until they're 12-ish. It's not one of those hobbies where in order to be good you have to start when you're 3, you can start as late as you want!

[johnl805]

Same here. I just started a few months back and I'm 18 haha =D if I had the chance tho, I would have started much earlier!

[shadowmaster1218]

im 14 and i've been fencing for 4 years, it's hard work at firs tbut if you persist it's awesome! never too late to start there are plenty of people at my club who have just started. It's nice being able to give them tips, but if you can get a private lesson, you will benefit much faster than group lessons. Cheers!

[bubblebaby6]

thx 4 the advice!....i started takin lessons and thier great! but not many ppl so i do get a lolt of one on one time! so thx!

[michieldeboe]

This vid suck !

This is anti - fencing

[RyanLuckyNinko]

brad bogus? lol

[Stan4ik75]

This guy must really be a "LEADING EXPERT" :)

[sylvoon666]

YOU SUCK ASS WORSTE COACH EER AWARD!

[camrion]

sweet i am really good in fencing and my teacher brags but i dont like people bragging about me but right on nice vid

[snakamui]

the quartata its of the historic fencing but the balestra its very explicit in this video its cool for beginers

[tobiasnixon]

seems like a well presented video.

clear explanations.

[randommagician]

Yeah the quartata, also referred to as a spinaway is perfectly legal...as long as you do it correctly. Like he said, your point has to register before your back foot hits the ground. Balestras can be useful too. I don't use them to gain a lot of distance, but to change up my footwork so my opponent has no idea what im doing.

[gundam340]

where do you get the little bendy swords?

[stitched83]

The really bendy ones are called a Foil. You can buy them online, or search Google for a fencing club near you.

[yungmacc]

Haha. Nobody teaches quartata anymore because it's not legal. I respect the video, but I cant imagine him or any of his teamates/students do very well in competition.

[Stan4ik75]

Quartata is very much legal and being used quite often by advanced fencers. In reality, the quartata shown in this "INSTRUCTIONAL" video, does not look much like the action in the real bout.

[edmund085]

If all of you are fencers then stop arguing. Fencers have to respects others teachings. But in this type, he is giving or making other poor, helpless, needy persons who cannot afford to pay a coach or afford to pay a club or a gym. Do you like a poor person who is very interested to learn fencing and wanna pay big large amounts just to learn. That's wrong because you can't just make other's pay just to know. That's bad, really bad. The purpose of this is to help others who cannot.

[dejpau3825]

It's not a matter of the video being free that they are upset about...it's the quality. Unfortunately, fencing IS very expensive...I wish that expervillage would put actual "experts" in their videos so those who want to learn but do not yet have the reasources will learn properly, making it easier for them once they get the necessary resources to take proper lessons.

[AsiansInTheOutfield]

@edmund085

you make a good pt. He is doing it for good. But what you don't seem to understand is that he is just helping ppl get the idea down. The mechanics are terrible. And the quartata? It's a counter attack, and you'll get a yellow for it depending on ref.

Sure there are ppl who can't afford lessons, but those ppl also probably can't afford fencing equipment

[theloniouz]

funny how ppl are criticising the quartata and complimenting the ballestra!? proves they actually know less than the guy in the video lesson.

the quartata, while shown awkwardly here, is legal once done as your opponent is passing (then you will not show your back). but as for the ballestra - anyone jumping forwards like that in any situation is asking to be hit.

the ballestra should really only be used as a counterpoint to break the rhythm of your attack. NOT to gain a large distance.

[Stan4ik75]

true. with the jump (1st part of the balestra) demonstrated here, he'll get attack in preparation 3 times before he even makes his lunge.

[cyrexlatvia]

Agree:D

[mariobrant]

cool!

[AlexMackinum]

Parry 4 ,reposte is probably more useful...lol

[InFerrumVeritas]

That is a rather poor example of an inquartata, althought the ballestra wasn't bad. Large, sure, but not too bad.

As far as the utility of these videos: they are good for people who don't fence to use to understand the actions performed when watching fencing, or for very beginning students to educate on vocabulary (if they actually want to learn the actions, I highly reccomend going to a coach).

[believerKHK]

o my, that boy needs more training. the balestra was good, and i have gotten ideas for my next tournement,but that quartata... you will recieve a penalty for more then going off strip with that move. as he is executing the move he turns his back on his opponent which is a cardable offence. a safer way of doing the move would be to move your back foot (not as far as shown, keep it on the piste) and turn your body to a half profile. that way you show less target and won't be carded!

[Allisonef]

such violence.

[Cheezyfries000]

A real fencer does not argue, but has manners and respect for one another, which makes you unworthy to fence.

[Macju92]

I agree, if you don't like violence, then don't fence

[antistorz]

this guy is worthless

[jedimasterham]

you're a loser dude, at least this guy is trying to help.

[antistorz]

if this guy can help you, then you are a looser

[confedr8]

and you should make use of words you cannot spell...loser. Go back to grade school and get a proper education.

[Macju92]

LEARN HOW TO SPELL

[confedr8]

and so's your mama

[Macju92]

Hey, if your so good then explain to me WHY he is worthless. At least he is trying to help, give the guy some credit.

[L192]

you don't get a penalty for accidentally stepping off the strip without hitting. you will get one for turning your back without hitting.

also his footwork is sloppy- he clicks his heals on advances and doesn't keep distance between his feet(among other things). He shouldn't be making instructional videos, but since he already is, he should at least try to show things done properly.

[shortee4204real]

Fencing footwork looks like dancing. Very interesting. Very stylish swordsmanship.

[L192]

i wouldn't use this as reference. look at some of the videos of world champs and stuff.

[confedr8]

Then why are you watching all of them then? I've perused most of this gentleman's videos and have found YOU on every one I have looked at. If you are as an esteemed fencer as you try to sound, you should take a lesson from the old Masters. That lesson would be one of humility. You rant on like you're Aldo Nadi, critical of others efforts, yet off nothing of substance yourself. You, sir, are a boor.

[L192]

"advanced" lol.

i would realy like to destroy this guy at nationals, but by the look of it, he won't be fencing div 1.

[confedr8]

perhaps we can see a video from you then..?

[L192]

first of all, i am not going to attempt to teach fencing through a video because, as i have said, you cannot. second, not good fencers post videos of themselves. if you're really good, your videos can be found from world championship collections and the like.

[confedr8]

Then why are you here watching all of them, if you think nothing can be learned online?

[shortee4204real]

What's wrong?? I think he is badass.

[L192]

lol. if you see some quality fencing, you'll realize he's not.

[shortee4204real]

Show us a video please. You talk a lot but you really need to back it up! Besides that this is video he made in his off time for free to post on YouTube as a friendly service. I don't know much about fencing but I think this guy could teach me a lot! I also trust his skills and guidance so I don't know what's up with you! Make a video please!

[L192]

i'll just copy and paste from the other video:

You cannot teach fencing online. I am not going to attempt to (even though I am way more qualified than he is- I have seen his profile), and this guy shouldn't either(Especially since he is not good). People of the higher level share my opinion.

There is no one to correct your mistakes. If you did know much about fencing you would realize this guy's level and realize that he should not be teaching.

[confedr8]

The words of a "word champion". (eye roll)

[shortbread93]

look are you looking to learn fencing?, if so then stop wasting your time argueing with obviously more experianced fencers and get to a club and learn it one on one. if fencing cannot be learned on the internet then whats the point of l192 wasteing his/her time making a video.

[confedr8]

More "experienced"? Hardly. The only "experience" I have seen from l192 thus far has been the experience he has at running off at the mouth. And I'll argue as much as I like, thank you very much.

[sean151291]

who is this douchebag?! i know juniors from my club who know more than him!

[confedr8]

Funny...I don't see any of your "juniors" on here...

[Maz1989]

a balestras a little hop not a big jump lol

[swing722]

Actually, a balestra is a jump IN COMBINATION WITH a lunge. Otherwise a jump is just called a jump.

[porthos456]

i thought a balestra was a jump where both feet land at the same time, a balestra lunge I think, is a patinado.

also it would be nice to include the usefulness of these tools in a bout. Since you would probably not to a quartata more than once in a bout.

[swing722]

A Patanando is an advance lunge with a change in tempo.

[7Firstimer7]

Err, that is a balestra LUNGE...

[swing722]

USFA Coach's College definitions: "Balestra - An Italian term meaning Jump-Lung." If you have a problem with that definition please take it up with the USFA, because thats what they say it is.

[7Firstimer7]

sorry lar

zZzZzZz no need get so touchy...