Quite often fencers will hear something from the ref and wonder "What does that mean?"
Well, one of the first chapters clearly explains what that means:
CHAPTER 2. GLOSSARY
A. COMPETITIONS
1. Assaults and bouts
t.2 A friendly combat between two fencers is called an assault. When the score of such an assault is kept to determine a result it is called a bout.2. Match
The aggregate of the bouts fought between the fencers of two different teams is called a match._______________________________________________________
Note: In French, the word “match” means a combat between two fencers (“bout” in English). In English, the word “match” means a contest between two teams (“recontre” in French).
_______________________________________________________3. Competition
t.4 A competition is the aggregate of the bouts (individual competitions) or of the matches (team competitions) required to determine the winner of the event. Competitions are distinguished by weapons, by the competitors’ sex, by their age and by the fact that they are for individuals or for teams.4. Championship
t.5 A championship is the name given to a competition held to determine the best fencer or the best team at each weapon for a federation, for a specific region or for the world and for a specific period of time.B. EXPLANATION OF SOME TECHNICAL TERMS COMMONLY USED IN THE JUDGING OF FENCING (It is stressed that this section in no way replaces a treatise on fencing and is only included in order to help the reader to understand the Rules.)
1. Fencing time
t.6 Fencing time is the time required to perform one simple fencing action.2. Offensive and defensive actions
t.7 The offensive actions are the attack, the riposte and the counter-riposte.
— The attack is the initial offensive action made by extending the arm and continuously threatening the opponent’s target, preceding the launching of the lunge or flèche (cf. t.56ss, t.75ss).
— The riposte is the offensive action made by the fencer who has parried the attack.
— The counter-riposte is the offensive action made by the fencer who has parried the riposte.The defensive actions are the parries.
— The parry is the defensive action made with the weapon to prevent an offensive action arriving.3. Explanation
t.8 Offensive actions
(a) The attack
The action is simple when it is executed in one movement and is
— either direct (in the same line)
— or indirect (in another line).
The action is compound when it is executed in several movements.(b) The riposte
The riposte may be immediate or delayed, depending on what action takes place and the speed at which it is carried out.
Ripostes are:
1.simple, direct
— Direct riposte: a riposte which touches the opponent without leaving the line in which the parry was made.
— Riposte along the blade: a riposte which touches the opponent by grazing along the blade after the parry.
2. simple, indirect
— Riposte by disengagement: a riposte which touches the opponent in the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed (by passing under the opponent’s blade if the parry was formed in the high line, and over the blade if the parry was formed in the low line).
— Riposte with a coupé: a riposte which touches the opponent in the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed (the blade always passing over the opponent’s point).
3. compound
— Riposte with a doublé: a riposte which touches the opponent in the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed, but after having described a complete circle round the opponent’s blade.
— Riposte with a one–two: a riposte which touches the opponent in the same line as that in which the parry was formed but after the blade has first been into the opposite line, by passing under the opponent’s blade.(c) Counter-attacks
Counter-attacks are offensive or offensive–defensive actions made during the offensive action of the opponent.
1. The stop hit
A counter-attack made into an attack.
2. The stop hit made with opposition
A counter-attack made while closing the line in which the opponent’s attack will be completed (cf. t.56ss, t.64ss and t.76ss).
3. The stop hit made within a period of fencing time, i.e. ‘in time’ (cf. t.59, t.79).(d) Other offensive actions
1. The remise
A simple and immediate offensive action which follows the original attack, without withdrawing the arm, after the opponent has parried or retreated, when the latter has either quitted contact with the blade without riposting or has made a riposte which is delayed, indirect or compound.
2. The redoublement A new action, either simple or compound, made against an opponent who has parried without riposting or who has merely avoided the first action by retreating or displacing the target.
3. The reprise of the attack
A new attack executed immediately after a return to the on-guard position.
4. Counter-time
Every action made by the attacker against a stop hit made by his opponent.4. Defensive actions
t.9 Parries are simple, direct, when they are made in the same line as the attack. They are circular (counter-parries) when they are made in the opposite line to that of the attack.5. The point in-line position
t.10 The point in-line position is a specific position in which the fencer’s sword arm is kept straight and the point of his weapon continually threatens his opponent’s valid target (cf. t.56, t.60, t.76, t.80).
These are rather straightforward, but feel free to leave any questions in the comments.
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