Riposte (fencing) - A

A

Absence of blade

The situation in a bout when the opposing blades are not touching; opposite of engagement.

Advance

The ‘advance’ is the basic forward movement. The front foot moves first, beginning by lifting the toes. Straighten the leg at the knee, pushing the heel out in front. Land on the heel, and then bring the back foot up to en garde stance. Also, the term advance is used in general for any movement forward by either step, cross, or ballestra.

Advance-Lunge

An advance followed immediately by a lunge. The extension can occur before or during the advance, but always before the lunge. A good long-distance attack, especially in combination with Handwork. An Advance, followed by a lunge might have a tempo of 1-2---3, but an advance-lunge should have a tempo of 1--2-3.

Appel

Stamping the front foot to the ground, to produce a sound to distract or startle the opponent. This may be made during an advance, or directly from an en garde position. It may precede a lunge, or be used merely as a distraction. An appel is also sometimes called a 'half-Advance'. This action may also be used to halt a bout, often by stamping the trailing foot insistently.

Arrêt à bon temps

see #Stop Hit.

Assault

A friendly combat between two fencers, where score may or may not be kept, and is generally not a part of any competition. Formerly, public exhibitions (spectator events) were often conducted as assaults, rather than as round-robin or direct-elimination events, especially with a few fencers. (See also #Bout).

Attack

The initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent.

Attaque au Fer

An attack on the opponent's blade, e.g. beat, expulsion, pressure.

Avertissement

(French) A warning; used to indicate a minor rule infraction by one of the fencers. See #Yellow Card.