Basics of Epee Fencing

The épée is a pointed weapon designed to simulate a duel without causing bodily harm.  It is not bound by right of way rules, and double hits are valid.  Until the 1930’s épéeists were so committed to simulating an actual duel that the event was fenced outdoors to retain its realism.

The épée’s guard is larger than a foil’s guard (typically 13.5 cm.  Its blade, which is stiffer than a foil blade, has a triangular cross section.  At 770 grams, it is the heaviest of the three fencing swords.   Modern épée blades measure nearly three feet long, with an overall weapon length of 3.6 feet.    In an electronically scored bout, the épée’s end contains a spring device that only registers forces of 750g or more. 

A fencer’s transition to épée will involve adapting to the unrestricted target area, the fact that double hits are valid (as long as they occur within 1/25 of a second), and the possibility of double touches.  Specific aim and focus are more critical to épée than they are to foil or sabre. 

The whole body is the fencer’s target, and hits must still be made only with the point of the sword.  Épéeists’ target areas are split into three main areas, which correspond roughly to the depth to which the attack will have to travel.  The forward target area includes the front foot, leg, arm, and hand.  The second area is the main trunk plus the head.  The third area of the target is the rear leg and arm, and the back. 

Like foil fencers, épéeists will begin with straight thrusts, defined as “simple attacks.”  Other types of simple attacks are indirect.  They include the disengagement (also referred to as the “disengage”), in which the fencer’s objective is to hit their opponent on the opposite side to that of the engagement by passing the blade under the opponent’s.  Cut-over attacks are not used as frequently at épée as they are at foil (this action exposes too much of the attacking fencer’s arm).   A common counter-disengagement in épée involves trying to take the opponent’s blade and hit while holding it. 

Épéeists basing their strategy on defense should stay in motion while waiting out their opponent’s first move.  Keeping the épée relatively close to the body while parrying will keep the fencer from ending up in a vulnerable position.  The defensive position should also attempt to keep the opponent’s blade outside of the fencer’s own blade.  The design of the épée allows the fencer to take or parry the blade with a straight arm, which is difficult at foil.   

Another component of épée fencing is the riposte, an offensive action after a parry.  There are three kinds:  opposition, indirect, and compound.  Ripostes in épée have to be more deliberately planned than in foil; timing is less forgiving since there is no right of way.  

Yuen Wo Ping, the fight choreographer for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and The Matrix, said, “Make the viewer feel the blow.”  There is no question watching today’s skilled épéeists that with just a smidgeon of imagination and suspension of time, the observer of épée and the contenders themselves will “feel the blow.”