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Book 1. Technical Rules 26 Rules for Competitions, 2004
III. VALIDITY OR PRIORITY OF THE HIT
1. Preface
t.55 The Referee alone decides as to the validity or the priority of the hit by
applying the following basic rules which are the conventions applicable
to foil fencing.
2. Respect of the fencing phrase
t.56 (a) Every attack, that is every initial offensive action, which is correctly
executed must be parried or completely avoided and the phrase must
be followed through — that is to say, co-ordinated (cf. t.7).
In order to judge the correctness of an attack the following points
must be considered:
1. The simple attack, direct or indirect (cf. t.8), is correctly executed
when the straightening of the arm, the point threatening the valid
target, precedes the initiation of the lunge or the flèche.
2. The compound attack (cf. t.8) is correctly executed when the
arm is straightened in the presentation of the first feint, with the
point threatening the valid target, and the arm is not bent during
the successive actions of the attack and the initiation of the lunge
or the flèche.
Rules for Competitions, 2004 27 Book 1. Technical Rules
3. The attack with a step-forward-lunge or a step-forward-flèche is
correctly executed when the straightening of the arm precedes
the end of the step forward and the initiation of the lunge or the
flèche.
4. Actions, simple or compound, steps or feints which are executed
with a bent arm, are not considered as attacks but as preparations,
laying themselves open to the initiation of the offensive or
defensive/offensive action of the opponent (cf. t.8).
To judge the priority of an attack when analysing the fencing phrase,
it should be noted that:
5. If the attack is initiated when the opponent is not ‘point in line’
(cf. t.10), it may be executed either with a direct thrust, or by a
disengage, or by a cut-over, or may even be preceded by a beat
or successful feints obliging the opponent to parry.
6. If the attack is initiated when the opponent is ‘point in line’ (cf.
t.10), the attacker must, first, deflect the opponent’s blade. Referees
must ensure that a mere contact of the blades is not considered
as sufficient to deflect the opponent’s blade (cf. t.60/2a).
7. If the attacker, when attempting to deflect the opponent’s blade,
fails to find it (dérobement), the right of attack passes to the opponent.
8. Continuous steps forward, with the legs crossing one another,
constitute a preparation and on this preparation any simple attack
has priority.
t.57 (b) The parry gives the right to riposte: the simple riposte may be direct
or indirect, but to annul any subsequent action by the attacker, it
must be executed immediately, without indecision or delay.
t.58 (c) When a compound attack is made, if the opponent finds the blade
during one of the feints, he has the right to riposte.
t.59 (d) When compound attacks are made, the opponent has the right to
stop-hit; but to be valid the stop hit must precede the conclusion of
the attack by an interval of fencing time; that is to say that the stop
hit must arrive before the attacker has begun the final movement of
the attack.
3. Judging of hits
t.60 In applying these basic conventions of foil fencing, the Referee should
judge as follows:
When, during a phrase, both fencers are hit simultaneously, there is either
a simultaneous action or a double hit.
The first of these conditions is due to simultaneous conception and execution
of an attack by both fencers; in this case the hits exchanged are
annulled for both fencers even if one of them has been hit off the target.
The double hit, on the other hand, is the result of a faulty action on the
part of one of the fencers.
Book 1. Technical Rules 28 Rules for Competitions, 2004
Therefore, when there is not a period of fencing time between the hits:
1. Only the fencer who is attacked is counted as hit:
(a) If he makes a stop hit on his opponent’s simple attack.
(b) If, instead of parrying, he attempts to avoid the hit and does not
succeed in so doing.
(c) If, after making a successful parry, he makes a momentary pause
which gives his opponent the right to renew the attack (redoublement,
remise or reprise).
(d) If, into a compound attack, he makes a stop hit without being in
time.
(e) If, having his ‘point in line’ (cf. t.10) and being subjected to a
beat or a taking of the blade (prise de fer) which deflects his
blade, he attacks or places his point in line again instead of parrying
a direct thrust made by his opponent.
2. Only the fencer who attacks is counted as hit:
(a) If he initiates his attack when his opponent has his point in line
(cf. t.10) without deflecting the opponent’s weapon. Referees
must ensure that a mere contact of the blades is not considered
as sufficient to deflect the opponent’s blade
(b) If he attempts to find the blade, does not succeed (is the object of
a dérobement) and continues the attack.
(c) If, during a compound attack, his opponent finds the blade, but
he continues the attack and his opponent ripostes immediately.
(d) If, during a compound attack, he makes a momentary pause, during
which time the opponent makes a stop hit, while the attacker
continues his attack.
(e) If, during a compound attack, he is stop-hit in time before he
begins his final movement.
(f) If he makes a hit by a remise, redoublement or reprise when his
original attack has been parried and his opponent has made a
riposte which is immediate, simple, and executed in one period
of fencing time without withdrawing the arm.
3. The Referee must replace the competitors on guard each time that
there is a double hit and he is unable to judge clearly on which side
the fault lies.
One of the most difficult cases to judge arises when a stop hit is
made and there is doubt as to whether it was made sufficiently in
time in relation to the final movement of a compound attack. Generally,
in such cases, the double hit occurs through the fault of both
fencers concerned, which justifies the Referee replacing them on
guard. (The fault of the attacker consists of indecision, slowness of
execution or the making of feints which are not sufficiently effective.
The fault of the defender lies in delay or slowness in making the
stop hit.)
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