Prise de fer

Last updated
Prise de Fer
Sport Fencing
Events Foil, Épée

Prise de fer is a movement used in fencing in which a fencer takes the opponent's blade into a line and holds it there in preparation to attack. Translated from French, the phrase prise de fer means "taking-the-blade" or "taking-the-steel". Alternate spellings include the plural Prises de Fer or "Les Prises de Fer", and (incorrectly) Praise de Fer. There are four prise de fer actions: opposition, croisé, bind, and envelopment. However, each fencing master and fencing doctrine has a separate view of prise de fer. William Gaugler lists all four actions under Prise de Fer in his dictionary of fencing terminology, [1] while Roger Crosnier in his book Fencing with the Foil only mentions the croisé, the bind, and the envelopment as prise de fer actions. [2] Any prise de fer action requires that the blades be engaged, and it works best against an opponent who uses and maintains a straight arm. Additionally, a successful action demands surprise, precise timing, and control. [3]

Contents

Opposition

The basic lines in fencing. The lines in Fencing.png
The basic lines in fencing.

In the opposition, a fencer takes an opponent's blade in any line and then extends in that line, diverting the opponent's blade, until the action is complete. The opposition can be done from any line, and it is a strong attack when done with a straight thrust. [4] The amount of power needed to complete an opposition is just enough to carry the opponent's blade barely out of line, but not so much as to force it into a different line. [5]

The opposition is typically classified as an action in the French style of fencing, and it is similar to what the Italian school calls a glide. However, some doctrines teach that the opposition and the glide are separate actions, but the glide can be done using an opposition. [6] William Gaugler defines the opposition as an action completed during a thrust in which the hand is shifted against the opponent's blade in an attempt to close the line, while the glide slides along the opponent's blade onto target. [7] Louis Rondelle instructs that a glide should be kept in opposition and that it is "in reality a feint of direct thrust." [8] Julio Martinez Castello refers to the glide as a "sliding thrust" that will dominate the opponent's blade by forcing it to the side. [9]

Bind

The bind takes the opponent's blade from any line diagonally to the opposing line. The action can be done from high to low line or vice versa. For example, from sixth, the opponent's blade is taken to seventh, or from eighth, the blade is taken to fourth. The bind is also known as a Transport or a Transport and Glide. As with all other prise de fer actions, there are numerous fencing doctrines. Luigi Barbasetti teaches that the bind is only done from prime, seconde, tierce, quarte, and quinte. [10] C-L. de Beaumont teaches that the bind is done by "making a half-circular movement with the blades continually in contact, carrying the opponent's blade diagonally from a high to a low line on the opposite side of the target or vice versa. The attack is then made by extending the arm and lunging, while holding the opponent's blade." [11] Julio Martinez Castello recommends that the bind be followed by a glide, but any attack is possible. [12] To complete the bind from low line, first the forearm and blade are raised with the blade slightly off line. Once the blade is sufficiently raised to high line, the arm and blade are carried across to the new line until in position. [13] [14] Also see liement and flanconade below.

Croisé

The croisé carries the opponent's blade vertically from one line to the opposite line on the same side. For example, from sixth, the blade is carried to eighth. This action is sometimes referred to as a Cross, and it is well described as a semibind. However, some fencing schools believe that the croisé is only done from high line to low line. [15] [16] Other fencing doctrines believe that the croisé from low line to high line is at least theoretical [17] if not truth. There are also those that believe the croisé to be a bind, as Julio Martinez Castello wrote in his book The Theory and Practice of Fencing. [18] Also see liement, flanconade, and copertino below.

Envelopment

An envelopment is conducted by starting in a line and then completing a full circular motion in order to return to that same line. This action is also known as a Circular Transfer or an Enveloppement. One school of thought is that the action is, in theory, done from any line, [19] but it works best when done from sixth because of the difficulty of holding onto the opponent's blade otherwise. [20] Jean-Jacques Gillet writes that the envolpment can be done from all lines but works particularly well in the actions that move the blade to the outside of the body. [21] Roger Crosnier writes that the size of the circle in the envelopment needs to be limited, and in order to do so, the actions must be made with the wrist, because otherwise the action would be to too slow and cumbersome and thereby easily detected and deceived. [22] Julio Martinez Castello teaches that the envelopment is essentially a combination of two binds since it completes two semicircles. In addition, he writes that the action can be followed by any attack, but preferably a glide, because that combination would continue to sustain a constant control of the opponent's blade. [23]

Miscellaneous

Liement

A liement is an action that takes the blade from high line to low line or vice versa. [24] [25] Depending on the motion of the action taken, the liement can be interpreted as either a bind or a croisé. A croisé from six as well as a bind from six takes the blade from high to low line.

Flanconade

The flanconade is referenced as being a bind or a croisé. Imre Vass defines it as a "bind thrust" in which a fencer carries the opponent's blade from high line to low line on the same side but it will be the diagonal line for the opponent. [26] Depending on the motion of the action, this can be interpreted as either a bind or a croisé. William Gaugler writes that there are three flanconades: the flanconade in fourth (or external flanconade), the internal flanconade, and the flanconade in second. The flanconade in fourth is the same as a croisé from fourth whereas the internal flanconade is a transport (bind) to first from third ending with a glide to the inside low line and the flanconade in second is a transport (bind) to second from fourth ending in a glide to the outside low line. [27] Louis Rondelle explains the flanconade as starting in a high four, and then carries it downward until it terminates as a thrust under the opponent's arm. [28] This description, against a right-handed opponent, can be interpreted as a croisé.

Copertino

The copertino is another term associated with the croisé as well as the flanconade. Imre Vass differentiates the copertino and the croisé by listing them both as a "bind thrust" actions on the same side but the copertino ends on the opposite side of the opponent's blade while the croisé simply ends in the opposite line. [29] The copertino is also interpreted as a croisé. [30]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fencing</span> Type of armed combat sport

Fencing is a combat sport that features sword fighting. The three disciplines of modern fencing are the foil, the épée, and the sabre ; each discipline uses a different kind of blade, which shares the same name, and employs its own rules. Most competitive fencers specialize in one discipline. The modern sport gained prominence near the end of the 19th century and is based on the traditional skill set of swordsmanship. The Italian school altered the historical European martial art of classical fencing, and the French school later refined that system. Scoring points in a fencing competition is done by making contact with an opponent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapier</span> Slender, sharply pointed sword

A rapier or espada ropera is a type of sword with a slender and sharply-pointed two-edged blade that was popular in Western Europe, both for civilian use and as a military side arm, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parry (fencing)</span> Fencing bladework maneuver

A parry is a fencing bladework maneuver intended to deflect or block an incoming attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Academic fencing</span> Sword fight between two male members of different fraternities with sharp weapons

Academic fencing or Mensur is the traditional kind of fencing practiced by some student corporations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Latvia, Estonia, and, to a minor extent, in Belgium, Lithuania, and Poland. It is a traditional, strictly regulated épée fight between two male members of different fraternities with sharp weapons. The German technical term Mensur in the 16th century referred to the specified distance between each of the fencers.

<i>Épée</i> A weapon and type of modern fencing

The épée, sometimes spelled epee in English, is the largest and heaviest of the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. The modern épée derives from the 19th-century épée de combat, a weapon which itself derives from the French small sword.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">German school of fencing</span> South German fencing tradition

The German school of fencing is a system of combat taught in the Holy Roman Empire during the Late Medieval, German Renaissance, and Early Modern periods. It is described in the contemporary Fechtbücher written at the time. The geographical center of this tradition was in what is now Southern Germany including Augsburg, Frankfurt, and Nuremberg. During the period in which it was taught, it was known as the Kunst des Fechtens, or the "Art of Fighting". The German school of fencing focuses primarily on the use of the two-handed longsword; it also describes the use of many other weapons, including polearms, medieval daggers, messers, and the staff, as well as describing mounted combat and unarmed grappling (ringen).

The remise is a renewal of an attack in fencing. It is performed when one fencer's attack has failed, either because their opponent has parried or they missed. If the attacker immediately continues their attack in the same line, they have executed a remise. The name also is applied to repetitions of other actions which did not initially succeed. The remise is at the bottom of actions in taking priority.

Classical fencing is the style of fencing as it existed during the 19th and early 20th centuries. According to the 19th-century fencing master Louis Rondelle,

A classical fencer is supposed to be one who observes a fine position, whose attacks are fully developed, whose hits are marvelously accurate, his parries firm, and his ripostes executed with precision. One must not forget that this regularity is not possible unless the adversary is a party to it. It is a conventional bout, which consists of parries, attacks, and returns, all rhyming together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabre (fencing)</span> A weapon and type of modern fencing

The sabre is one of the three disciplines of modern fencing. The sabre weapon is for thrusting and cutting with both the cutting edge and the back of the blade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of fencing</span> Overview of and topical guide to fencing

Fencing – family of combat sports using bladed weapons. Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games. Also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attack (fencing)</span>

In fencing, an attack is "the initial offensive action made by extending the arm and continuously threatening the opponent's target". In order for an attack to be awarded successfully, the fencer must accelerate their hand towards the target. If the fencer does not accelerate the hand, this is a preparation.

Rapier Combat is a style of historical fencing practiced in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). The primary focus is to study, replicate and compete with styles of rapier sword-fighting found in Europe during the Renaissance period, using blunted steel swords and a variety of off-hand defensive items. Participants wear period clothing while competing, along with or incorporating protective equipment for safety. In the April 2020 update of the rules, the sport was renamed 'Fencing Combat'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French school of fencing</span>

The known history of fencing in France begins in the 16th century, with the adoption of Italian styles of fencing.

Priority or right of way is the decision criterion used in foil and sabre fencing to determine which fencer receives the touch, or point, when both fencers land a hit within the same short time-frame. After this window, if one fencer had already landed a hit, the electrical scoring apparatus would "lock-out," or fail to record, an opponent's subsequent hit, and thus the one fencer to land a hit is awarded the touch. In épée fencing, if both fencers land valid hits at the same time, they each receive a point. Because of this, foil and saber are considered conventional weapons. After a halt, a referee parses what happened into actions, from which it can be determined whether to award a point or not.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canne de combat</span> French martial art involving canes

Canne de combat is a French combat sport. As weapon, it uses a canne or cane designed for fighting. Canne de combat was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The canne is very light, made of chestnut wood and slightly tapered. A padded suit and a fencing mask are worn for protection.

Fencing practice and techniques of modern competitive fencing are governed by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE), though they developed from conventions developed in 18th- and 19th-century Europe to govern fencing as a martial art and a gentlemanly pursuit. The modern weapons for sport fencing are the foil, épée, and sabre.

The oldest surviving manual on western swordsmanship dates back to the 14th century, although historical references date fencing schools back to the 12th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fencing tactics</span> Movement or approach used in competitive fencing

Tactics are very important to playing well in modern fencing and although technique is important in the sport, using an array of tactics will help fencers make the most of that technique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destreza</span> Spanish tradition of fencing

La Verdadera Destreza is the conventional term for the Spanish tradition of fencing of the early modern period. The word destreza literally translates to 'dexterity' or 'skill, ability', and thus la verdadera destreza to 'the true skill' or 'the true art'.

This is a glossary of terms used in fencing.

References

  1. ↑ Gaugler, William M, A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology, Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997, p. 48.
  2. ↑ Crosnier, Roger. Fencing with the Foil, New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1948, p. 177-84.
  3. ↑ De Beaumont, C-L. Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport. London: Kaye and Ward, 1978, p. 95.
  4. ↑ Gillet, Jean-Jacques. Foil Technique and Terminology. Livingston: United States Academy of Arms, 1977, p. 36.
  5. ↑ Morton, E. D. A-Z of Fencing. London: Queen Anne Press, no date, p. 129.
  6. ↑ Garret, Maxwell R., Emmanuil G. Kaidanov, and Gil A. Pezza. Foil, Saber, and Épeé Fencing, University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1994, p. 50.
  7. ↑ Gaugler, William M. The Science of Fencing. Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997, p. 28-30.
  8. ↑ Rondelle, Louis. Foil and Sabre, Boston: Dana Estes and Company, 1892, p. 43
  9. ↑ Castello, Julio Martinez. The Theory and Practice of Fencing. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1933, p. 38.
  10. ↑ Barbasetti, Luigi. The Art of the Foil, New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1932, p. 29.
  11. ↑ De Beaumont, C-L. Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport. London: Kaye and Ward, 1978, p. 97.
  12. ↑ Castello, Julio Martinez. The Theory and Practice of Fencing. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1933.
  13. ↑ Crosnier, Roger. Fencing with the Foil, New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1948, p. 180.
  14. ↑ De Beaumont, C-L. Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport. London: Kaye and Ward, 1978, p. 97.
  15. ↑ Crosnier, Roger. Fencing with the Foil, New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1948, p. 183.
  16. ↑ Hett, G. V. Fencing, New York: Pitman Publishing Corporation, 1939, p. 60.
  17. ↑ Morton, E. D. A-Z of Fencing. London: Queen Anne Press, no date, p. 44.
  18. ↑ Castello, Julio Martinez. The Theory and Practice of Fencing. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1933, p. 37.
  19. ↑ Morton, E. D. A-Z of Fencing. London: Queen Anne Press, no date, p. 56.
  20. ↑ De Beaumont, C-L. Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport. London: Kaye and Ward, 1978, p. 97.
  21. ↑ Gillet, Jean-Jacques. Foil Technique and Terminology. Livingston: United States Academy of Arms, 1977, p. 36.
  22. ↑ Crosnier, Roger. Fencing with the Foil, New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1948, p. 178.
  23. ↑ Castello, Julio Martinez. The Theory and Practice of Fencing. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1933, p. 37-8.
  24. ↑ Hett, G. V. Fencing, New York: Pitman Publishing Corporation, 1939, p. 60.
  25. ↑ Morton, E. D. A-Z of Fencing. London: Queen Anne Press, no date, p. 106.
  26. ↑ Vass, Imre. Epée Fencing: A Complete System. Staten Island: SKA Swordplay Books, 1998, p. 370.
  27. ↑ Gaugler, William M. A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology. Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997, p. 34, 39.
  28. ↑ Rondelle, Louis. Foil and Sabre, Boston: Dana Estes and Company, 1892, p. 185-6.
  29. ↑ Vass, Imre. Epée Fencing: A Complete System. Staten Island: SKA Swordplay Books, 1998, p. 368.
  30. ↑ Morton, E. D. A-Z of Fencing. London: Queen Anne Press, no date, p. 40.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.