What is the Most difficult to Learn in Fencing
The is an Article from ‘Cut and Trust’, the bulletin of Egham Fencing Club, England, written by Derek Evered.
Within a year or so we can learn the basic strokes and moves (technique). Next we learn when to use each stroke (tactics). Then a lifetime trying to master correct timing and distance.
But in my opinion, the hardest task: is learning “Le sentiment de fer”. Please excuse my terrible accent in French. Though Winston Churchill also spoke infamous English French (”Fronglay”). A translation of “Le sentiment de fer” is “The feeling of the blade”.
Of course your coaches teach this but you can practice also with a fencing partner by agreement. My description refers to foil and epee play but it is also possible at sabre. You attack your club mate with a direct thrust and he parries quarte.
Meeting no resistance to his blade he ripostes direct. Next you parry quarte after his parry so he must riposte by disengage. Then you choose to do these two responses in random order.
Wearing masks of course you repeat this sequence with him shutting his eyes when his parry is made. Then riposting direct or indirect with the eyes shut: “feeling the blade”. You have taught him le sentiment de fer! Reverse roles now so you can learn the same. Try a similar sequence after the parry of (circular) parry of counter sixte.
Similarly you can train to feel the blade during attacks. Thus you first engage in sixte the opposing steel and your opponent does nothing. You feel no resistance so attack direct. Next your partner parries sixte so you disengage to score a hit.
Subsequently he parries or not at random and you must respond appropriately.
Score your successes. This game is called: “The Coach Always Wins!”
