Countertime Fencing Steps Classified

Time actions (the quit strike and the time strike) are steps built into an assault to steal the time from the attack by landing to start with (the halt in epee), by landing just before the closing action commences (the quit in foil and sabre), or by intercepting and blocking the ultimate action (the time strike). Countertime steps steal time from the time motion in other phrases the Countertime steals time from the endeavor to steal time. We can distinguish 3 concentrations of Countertime steps:

(1) Countertime: There are two basic Countertime actions, defensive countertime and offensive countertime:

Defensive Countertime is often referred to just as Countertime, and is the variety the motion most typically talked about in fencing texts. Versus an opponent who quit hits the fencer initiates an motion to draw the counterattack. The fencer then parries the end strike and ripostes to score in Defensive Countertime. This action is named defensive mainly because a parry is utilised to defeat the counterattack. In conditions of what the opponent and the referee see, this looks like a parry and riposte, and is not easily discernable as a certain tactical preference.

Offensive Countertime is seldom talked about in the fencing literature, perhaps due to the fact the prevailing theory is that you defeat a cease strike with a basic assault. Nonetheless, the thought of Offensive Countertime is critical to comprehending the tactical movement of the bout. Towards an opponent who prevent hits the fencer initiates an motion to attract a halt hit. The fencer then executes a stop or time hit in opposition to the counterattack. This action is called offensive since an offensive (or more adequately counter-offensive) action is utilized to defeat the cease. In conditions of what the opponent and the jury see, this seems like a straightforward attack that accelerates at the end as the opponent makes an attempt to counterattack. Nonetheless, the fencer has created a distinctive decision to defeat the halt hit, not a selection to execute a basic attack in opposition to an opponent’s defense.

(2) Feint In Tempo: Feint in Tempo is employed by the prevent hitting fencer to defeat Defensive Countertime, and to guarantee the arrival of the counterattack. In sequence: (a) the opponent begins an assault to draw the end, (b) the fencer initiates the quit, (c) the opponent starts off to execute a parry, and (d) the fencer deceives the parry and hits. The first action of the prevent hit results in being a feint to draw the parry so that it can be prevented.

(3) Counterattack In Tempo: A Counterattack in Tempo is a cease hit on the opponent’s response to Defensive Countertime. If the opponent executes Feint in Tempo, the fencer who was making an attempt to execute Defensive Countertime executes a stop strike into the halt strike. In sequence: (a) the fencer begins an assault to attract the cease, (b) the opponent initiates the end, (c) the fencer commences to execute a parry, (d) the opponent disengages to deceive the parry, and (e) the fencer cease hits on the disengage. Due to the fact the parry in Defensive Countertime really should be made while relocating forward, this motion most in all probability will appear to the referee as a single steady basic assault.

It is critical to be aware that these steps are advanced, have to have eyes open up fencing at attacking speed, and are as much in the intellect as in the bladework. In unique offensive countertime and counterattack in tempo appear and come to feel like basic attacks. The big difference is in the conception of their application, not in how the blade moves.