How to Fence : How to Lunge in a Fencing Competition

Learn how to lunge in a fencing competition with these fencing footwork basics, in this free swordplay video clip.

Expert: Brad Bogus
Bio: Brad Bogus started fencing at the collegiate level at Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University. Since then, he has become a member of the USFA, the United States Fencing Assoc.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• instructional
• fencing
• advanced
• beginner
• handwork
• footwork
• fleche
• attack
• riposte
• lunges
• stretching
• hamstrings
• positioning
• 90
• angle
• squatting
• practicing

[antleredzen]

This man is no expert. He needs serious lessons. First thing to move in the lunge is your arm. Any coach in the world will tell you that. And its not that hes just forgetting to tell you as he dosent do it himself.

[flandrensis]

On a pedagogic note: never omit to teach students to extend the arm first, then the leg. Eventually arm and leg may move simultaneously (like in the video). For new fencers this part of the lunge is often the hardest bit of the movement

[GavriellaMichal]

@sanoichiro1 why dont you do a video. I want to start fencing, it would be really helpful :)

[michwng]

I think this basic instruction is useful for high school fencers, not for competitive amateur level outside of high school. Also, your en garde was hideously high.

[theclassact56]

well at least he was right about having to stretch. btw whats the difference between when you lunge in practice and in competition?? this guy truely needs to get a few more lessons or actual experience

[sanoichiro1]

i hope you pull your groin next time for giving bad demos

[zenpharaohs]

Front foot should not go as far foward as possible even in your longest lunge. The front knee should go something like as far forward as possible, and the front foot should be under the front knee.

You can extend the front foot farther than is good, but this does not make the upper body (and therefore the weapon) go any farther toward the target. In fact, if you put the front foot too far out, it starts to lower you, which can actually pull the weapon away from target.