Learn the point in line in fencing: straight arm, point on target, FIE rules for foil and sabre, common mistakes and a milestone check for intermediate fencers.
How do I stop my opponent from simply running in? The honest answer: with the point in line. You hold the weapon arm straight, and the point continually threatens the opponent's valid target [1]. Built cleanly, it gives you the right of way in foil and sabre: the opponent may only attack once he has deflected your blade [3][1].
That sounds like a trick. It is a rule. Under FIE rules, an attacker who attacks against a point in line must first deflect the opposing blade; mere contact of the blades is not enough [1]. This knowledge protects you from the rushed attack and turns a calm posture into a weapon.
Important: in épée there is no right of way; both opponents can hit at the same time [2]. There the point in line is not a legal tool, at most a distance aid.
Realistically: you learn the posture in one evening. Building it at the right moment in a bout and releasing it again takes many repetitions – that is experience, not a study result.
The point in line is a specific position in which the weapon arm is straight and the point continually threatens the opponent's valid target [1]. The Hessian Fencing Association adds: the fencer holds the weapon with a straight arm in the on-guard position [2]. If the point aims at the valid area, this is called "blade in line" [2].
You usually build the point in line outside the opponent's attacking range [3]. When fencers are placed on the piste under FIE rules, their distance is such that the points in point in line cannot touch each other [1]. Elite fencers estimate their own reach more accurately: in the advance-lunge they were off by 5.4 % on average, national juniors by 10.9 % [4]. With a reach of around 3 metres, 5 % is about 15 centimetres.
If your opponent attacks against your point in line, he must first deflect your blade; mere contact of the blades does not count as deflection under FIE rules [1]. If he does not find your blade (dérobement), the right of attack passes to you [1]. The American federation describes that he must remove the blade from the line with a beat [3].
If your point in line is deflected, you may not simply attack anew or place the point in line again instead of parrying. If you do, only you are counted as hit when the opponent thrusts directly [1]. So parry.
In foil and sabre, fencers may not come on guard in point in line [1]. You build it during the bout.
Milestone: if you build the point in line from the on-guard position ten times in a row, hold it for two seconds and answer a beat by your partner on the blade with a parry immediately, you move on to the advance-lunge. That is a practice standard, not a study value.
With the point in line you point a weapon at a person. So always wear mask, jacket and glove, and keep the point only on chest and trunk (practice). Never practise without agreement with your partner and never with momentum.
At international FIE tournaments the rate of time-loss injuries was 0.28 per 1000 competition participations. 72.4 % of the injuries affected the lower limbs, and in 47.1 % there was no opponent contact [5]. The posture is calm, the follow-up actions are not: warm up. This guide explains and motivates – it does not replace supervised training.
Measure your reach before you bluff it. The point in line works mainly because it takes distance from the opponent. Mark with tape on the floor how far your lunge and your advance-lunge reach, and hold the point in line just outside this reach of the opponent. In the elite study the advance-lunge reach of the elite fencers was around 3 metres (299 cm) [4]. Your own figure matters more than that one: measure it.
The point in line is a position in which the weapon arm is straight and the point continually threatens the opponent's valid target [1]. Whoever holds it has the right of way in foil and sabre [3].
Not as a right of way. In épée there is no right of way; both opponents can hit at the same time [2]. The FIE rules for foil and sabre treat the point in line explicitly, those for épée do not [1].
The attacker must remove the opposing blade; mere blade contact is not enough [1]. The American federation names a beat on the blade for this [3].
No. In foil and sabre, fencers may not stand in point in line when coming on guard [1].
Advance-Lunge in Fencing: More Attacking Distance Through Step and Lunge