Right-of-Way Made Simple

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Right-of-Way Made Simple

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Foil fencing simulates the realities of the duel. If a duelist was being attacked, he or she could not attack the opponent until the threatening blade was dealt with in some manner (at least, not if he or she wished to survive the duel).

In fencing, the person who first initiates a correct attack is considered to have priority, or right-of-way.

In the event that both fencers are touched simultaneously during a phrase, the person with priority is awarded the point.

In the event that only one fencer is touched, right-of-way is not a consideration.

Three conditions must be met in order to establish and maintain priority:

the attacker’s point must be threatening valid target ("in line");
if the defender’s point is in line when the attack is initiated, the attacker must first successfully deflect the opponent’s blade (e.g. with a beat); and
the attacker’s arm must be extended or extending prior to the initiation of the lunge or fleché.

Faced with these conditions, a defending fencer is obligated to parry an attack effectively before he can riposte.

If the attacker fails to maintain all of these conditions (e.g. the attacker withdraws his arm), then the defender may establish right-of-way.

If an attack is effectively parried (i.e. the incoming point is deflected from the valid target) priority passes from the attacker to the defender. The defender’s immediate simple riposte now has right-of-way over the attacker’s remise.

If the defender is faced with a compound attack (more than one movement of the blade – e.g. a series of disengages), he has the right to counterattack. But, to be valid, the counterattack must arrive before the attacker has begun the final movement of the attack (i.e. "in time").

Note that footwork has nothing to do with establishing right-of-way. However, the cross advance is considered to be a preparation, irrespective of bladework. Thus, a simple attack into a cross advance will be granted priority.

Page created 12/23/99.
Last updated 05/06/03 at 16:26.

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