The Language of Fencing

Certain sports, aside from having their own sets of rules and systems, also have distinctive sports languages that can be said to be truly their own, such as the sport of fencing. Fencing is one of the many sports that enjoy its own broad and specific lingo. Here are a few terms that any beginner in the sport of fencing must learn.

When a person hears the command "on guard", this means that he must assume the guard position. He gives out an "invitation" to his opponent when he moves his sword slightly either upwards or downwards or to one side, in an intentional desire to expose a part of his target. This is a faking move that many fencing players attempt in order to tempt their opponents to attack. They assail their opponents themselves when they place the "blade in line," by extending the sword arm and attacking with a lunge, pointing the weapon directly at the target. A "straight thrust" is used to hit the adversary with a point when the adversary invites and leaves his target exposed, or when you have engaged the adversary's blade, exposing his target. A person dominates and diverts the hostile blood away from him with an "engagement." On the other hand, he uses a "disengagement" to free his blade from his adversary's engagement, or to avoid his parries. A "parry" is used to divert the incoming blade when the adversary attacks.

There are many more words and terms in the wide and exceptional language of fencing and a person can expect to improve on his game when he makes himself an expert in learning all these terms.