The lunge is the most common attacking technique in fencing. It involves rapidly moving yourself into range for an attack while leaving an opportunity to escape if your attack is intercepted. The long stance of a finished lunge can also provide a stable platform for defense and counterattack in case your opponent stops your initial attack. Your lunging speed is a result of technique, timing and the distance covered.
Lunge Mechanics
You typically perform a lunge out of the en garde stance. Stand with your dominant hand and foot forward. Step out with your front foot and land heel first. At the same moment, drive off of the ground with your back leg, straightening it and pushing your hips forward. Your front knee should be behind the toes of your front foot. As soon as your front foot is flat on the ground, relax your back leg and allow the knee to bend slightly so you can step back into en garde to avoid your opponent's counterattack.
Length of Steps and Reach
One of the most fundamental factors governing the speed of your lunge is the distance you are trying to cover. A longer lunge takes more time than a short lunge, and novice fencers tend to take shorter lunges than elite fencers. Elite fencers also lunge with more of a forward lean. Better skills allow more advanced fencers to extend their reach and still retain their balance. Greater tactical awareness also contributes to the elite fencers' effectiveness with an otherwise longer, slower lunge.
Timing and Technique
The speed of the lunge depends on your ability to move all the parts of your body in the correct order. Both of your arms are involved in the lunge -- your weapon arm actually initiates the start of the attack, and dictates the speed of the rest of your lunge. Use your off hand to maintain your balance and to brake your forward motion once your front foot lands. Your body posture is also important; an upright posture allows you to maintain your balance and lunge with greater force.
Recovery
It is often just as important to be able to quickly recover back to the en garde position from the lunge. Keep your back foot planted and allow your back knee to relax as soon as your front foot is down. This allows you to quickly pull yourself out of your opponent's reach using the strength of your back leg.
References
- AC Fencing; Essentials of Fencing Technique; Richard Howard
- Idosi.org: Kinematics Analysis of Lunge Fencing Using Stereophotogrametry
- "Fencing: Steps to Success"; Elaine Cheris; 2001
