Flèche (fencing)
Encyclopedia
The flèche is an aggressive offensive fencing
technique used with foil
and épée.
After attempting the hit, the fencer continues to move forward, running past his opponent, to avoid the riposte
if he was parried, or a counter attack. If the fencer moves past as quickly as possible the opponent generally only has one chance to hit the fleching fencer as he/she passes. Rules prevent body contact with the opponent in foil. Infraction of the rule may result in a warning, awarding a touch to the opponent, and/or expulsion from the competition. In épée, contact merely results in a stopping of play without penalty, unless it was done with jostling, brutality, or to avoid being hit.
The flèche involves speed and an element of surprise. The flèche is absolutely not a charge down the piste
at an opponent at distance. The flèche utilizes timing, not distance, so the distance shouldn't be greater than a step-lunge
.
The flèche is only used in foil and épée. In sabre
, it is forbidden for the back foot to pass in front of the front foot, outlawing the flèche.
The flèche is not allowed in some types of tournaments, especially in high school fencing. For example, the flèche is forbidden in New Jersey interscholastic fencing.
to cross his or her legs, making the flèche illegal. Sabreurs can instead use a flunge - a portmanteau of flying and lunge - where a lunge (generally cutting to head) is made with a leap to give speed and close the extra distance.
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a 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...
technique used with foil
Foil (fencing)
A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing. It is the most common weapon in terms of usage in competition, and is usually the choice for elementary classes for fencing in general.- Components:...
and épée.
Background
In a flèche, a fencer transfers his weight onto his front foot and starts to extend the arm. The rear leg initiates the attack, but the ball of the leading foot provides the explosive impulse that is needed to drive the fencer toward the opponent. Continuing to bring the weapon, arm, and front shoulder forward, he picks up his back foot, crossing his front leg, and landing it in front of the other foot - as if taking an exaggerated walking stride. It is at this point, when the back foot lands and just after that arm has become fully extended, that the hit should be made. In foil, the attack is considered over when the back foot lands, and the opponent can seize Right of Way by initiating an attack.After attempting the hit, the fencer continues to move forward, running past his opponent, to avoid the riposte
Riposte
In fencing, the riposte is an offensive action with the intent of hitting one's opponent, made by the fencer who has just parried an attack....
if he was parried, or a counter attack. If the fencer moves past as quickly as possible the opponent generally only has one chance to hit the fleching fencer as he/she passes. Rules prevent body contact with the opponent in foil. Infraction of the rule may result in a warning, awarding a touch to the opponent, and/or expulsion from the competition. In épée, contact merely results in a stopping of play without penalty, unless it was done with jostling, brutality, or to avoid being hit.
The flèche involves speed and an element of surprise. The flèche is absolutely not a charge down the piste
Piste (fencing)
In modern fencing, the piste or strip is the playing area. Regulations require the piste to be 14 metres long and between 1.5 and 2 metres wide. The last two metres on each end are hash-marked to warn a fencer before he/she backs off the end of the strip, after which is a 1.5 to 2 metre runoff...
at an opponent at distance. The flèche utilizes timing, not distance, so the distance shouldn't be greater than a step-lunge
Lunge (fencing)
The lunge is the fundamental offensive fencing technique used with all three fencing weapons: foil, épée and sabre. It is common to all contemporary fencing styles.-Background:A number of things happen at almost the same time during the execution of a lunge:...
.
The flèche is only used in foil and épée. In sabre
Sabre (fencing)
The sabre is one of the three weapons of modern sport fencing, and is alternatively spelled saber in American English. The sabre differs from the other modern fencing weapons, the épée and foil, in that it is possible to score with the edge of the blade; for this reason, sabreur movements and...
, it is forbidden for the back foot to pass in front of the front foot, outlawing the flèche.
The flèche is not allowed in some types of tournaments, especially in high school fencing. For example, the flèche is forbidden in New Jersey interscholastic fencing.
History
The term flèche is a French term meaning "arrow," referring to the surprising style of the attack. Under FIE rules it is illegal for a sabreurSabre (fencing)
The sabre is one of the three weapons of modern sport fencing, and is alternatively spelled saber in American English. The sabre differs from the other modern fencing weapons, the épée and foil, in that it is possible to score with the edge of the blade; for this reason, sabreur movements and...
to cross his or her legs, making the flèche illegal. Sabreurs can instead use a flunge - a portmanteau of flying and lunge - where a lunge (generally cutting to head) is made with a leap to give speed and close the extra distance.