Priority (fencing)
Encyclopedia
Priority or "right of way" is the method used in foil
and sabre
fencing
to determine which fencer receives the point if both fencers land a valid hit at the same time (if both fencers land a valid hit at the same time in épée fencing, they both receive a point). Whoever is the first to point their sword (with a fully extended arm) at a valid target on the opponent's body prior to attacking has priority or, in other words, the attack of an opponent must be dealt with first before beginning your own attack.
From the attacker's point of view, priority may be lost by: bending your arm, hesitating, by missing the attack, by successfully completing the attack, or abandoning your attack. From the defender's point of view, priority of the attacker may be negated by parrying
, beating the blade offline, or a prise de fer
.
If the attacker's attack has been parried and the defender makes an immediate simple riposte
which is executed in one period of fencing time without withdrawing the arm, the attacker must beat or take the blade (a prise de fer) before they may remise
(also known as a redoublement or reprise).
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 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...
fencing
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...
to determine which fencer receives the point if both fencers land a valid hit at the same time (if both fencers land a valid hit at the same time in épée fencing, they both receive a point). Whoever is the first to point their sword (with a fully extended arm) at a valid target on the opponent's body prior to attacking has priority or, in other words, the attack of an opponent must be dealt with first before beginning your own attack.
From the attacker's point of view, priority may be lost by: bending your arm, hesitating, by missing the attack, by successfully completing the attack, or abandoning your attack. From the defender's point of view, priority of the attacker may be negated by parrying
Parry (fencing)
A parry is a fencing bladework manoeuvre intended to deflect or block an incoming attack.-Execution:To execute a parry, fencers strike the opponent's foible, or the area near the tip of the blade, with their forte, or the part of the blade near the handle of the sword...
, beating the blade offline, or a prise de fer
Prise de fer
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...
.
If the attacker's attack has been parried and the defender makes an immediate simple 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....
which is executed in one period of fencing time without withdrawing the arm, the attacker must beat or take the blade (a prise de fer) before they may remise
Remise (fencing)
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...
(also known as a redoublement or reprise).