VMP 7 – Fencing Piste Awareness

A fencer’s universe when bouting is a strip that is 14 meters long by 1.5 – 2 meters wide. This strip or piste is a very important piece of real estate where we carry out our craft, bring all our training and conditioning to bear, and use every technique, tactic, and strategy possible – and legal – to beat our opponent; who is, of course, trying to do the same.

Piste awareness: Knowing where you are on the piste, understanding the best moves given your positioning on the piste and your opponents capabilities and reaction to this positioning is critically important to your fencing.

In this lesson we take a deep dive into the fencing playing field so you are prepared to take best of advantage of this important factor in fencing.

Set up your own piste at home

Piste Footwork Drills

3 Situations on the Piste

It is important too to know what penalties you may incur by stepping off the strip under different conditions and which moves are valid when one fencer passes another on the piste.

Assignment: Review Chapter 5 of the USA Fencers Regulations on Competition (click here for PDF file)