Learn the bind (liement) in fencing: forte against foible, leading the blade into the opposite line, bind and filo thrust, FIE rules and common mistakes.
How do I take my opponent's blade out of the way without losing it? The honest answer: with the bind, French liement. The FIE glossary describes it as taking the opponent's blade to lead it progressively from a high line to a low line or vice versa [2]. The Hessian Fencing Association counts it among the blade attacks: you apply pressure with your blade on the foible of the opposing blade and release contact shortly before the final thrust [1].
Why is it worth it? Because you take the weapon away from your opponent before he can use it. That matters when he holds the point in line: under FIE rules you must deflect his blade before you may attack; mere contact is not enough [3].
Realistically: you recognise the basic form after a few evenings. The right feel for pressure and timing develops over months – that is experience, not a study result.
Every blade is divided into three equal parts: the forte near the guard, the middle and the foible toward the tip [1]. The FIE glossary assigns them tasks: the forte serves parry and taking of the blade, the middle contact, pressure and beat, the foible is the weakest part of the blade (insulated in the electric foil) [2].
The engagement is the contact of the blades, usually the prelude to an attack [2]. Touch the opposing blade lightly without knocking it away. You seek contact, not a fight (practice standard).
Use your forte against the foible of his blade and apply pressure [1][2]. That gives you the leverage: the closer your part is to the guard, the less force you need (practice). Under FIE rules the beat on the blade has a clear consequence: a beat on the foible retains priority, a beat on the forte is judged badly executed and gives the opponent the right to riposte [3].
Bring the opponent's blade progressively from high to low or from low to high (liement) [2]. Practice standard: the pressure stays even, you do not "push" jerkily, otherwise he evades.
In the bind thrust you release contact shortly before the final thrust [1]. In the filo thrust contact remains until the hit because the opponent presses against your blade; the blades form a so-called bind triangle [1]. The arm stays straight: in foil an attack is only correct if the arm extension comes before the lunge [3].
Milestone: if in ten calm attempts with a partner you take the blade cleanly, lead it into the opposite line and set up a thrust without him losing it or evading, you are ready for the cut-over and feints. That is a practice standard, not a study value.
Blade work means blade contact at close range. Wear mask, jacket and glove and never practise binds at full force against the blade of an unprotected partner. In a five-year analysis of international FIE tournaments the rate of time-loss injuries was 0.28 per 1000 competition participations; most injuries (72.4 %) affected the legs [4]. Blades should meet the FIE standard and have no cracks (practice). This guide explains and motivates – it does not replace supervised training.
Read your opponent's pressure. If he presses against your blade, stay in contact: the filo thrust uses exactly that by holding blade contact until the final thrust [1]. If he gives way, release contact and thrust. Your partner provides the information, you only have to feel it. Practise this first with the instructions "press" and "give way" before leaving it to chance (practice).
The bind is taking the opponent's blade to lead it progressively from a high line to a low line or vice versa [2]. In the bind thrust you apply pressure to the opponent's foible [1].
In the bind thrust you release blade contact shortly before the final thrust; in the filo thrust it remains until the final thrust because the opponent presses [1]. In the filo the blades form a bind triangle [1].
With the forte, the part near the guard: according to the FIE glossary it serves parry and taking of the blade [2]. You set it against the foible of the opposing blade [1].
If you do not find the blade because the opponent evades (dérobement), the right of attack passes to the opponent [3].
Cut-Over (Coupé) in Fencing: Over the Opposing Point Into the Opposite Line