Right-of-way Made Simple
Foil fencing simulates the realities of the duel. If a duelist was being
attacked, he or she could not attack the opponent until the threatening blade
was dealt with in some manner (at least, not if he or she wished to survive the
duel).
In fencing, the person who first initiates a correct attack is
considered to have priority, or right-of-way.
In the event that both fencers are touched simultaneously during a
phrase, the person with priority is awarded the point.
In the event that only one fencer is touched, right-of-way is not a
consideration.
Three conditions must be met in order to establish and maintain priority:
- the attacker’s point must be threatening valid target ("in
line");
- if the defender’s point is in line when the attack is initiated, the
attacker must first successfully deflect the opponent’s blade (e.g.
with a beat or by attacking with opposition); and
- the attacker’s arm must be extended or extending prior to the initiation
of the lunge or fleche.
Faced with these conditions, a defending fencer is obligated to parry an
attack effectively before he can riposte.
If the attacker fails to maintain all of these conditions (e.g. the
attacker withdraws his arm), then the defender may establish right-of-way.
If an attack is effectively parried (i.e. the incoming point is deflected
from the valid target) priority passes from the attacker to the defender. The
defender’s immediate simple riposte now has right-of-way over the
attacker’s remise.
If the defender is faced with a compound attack (more than one movement of
the blade – e.g. a series of disengages), he has the right to counterattack.
But, to be valid, the counterattack must arrive before the attacker has begun
the final movement of the attack (i.e. "in time").
Note that footwork has nothing to do with establishing right-of-way.
However, the cross advance is considered to be a preparation, irrespective of
bladework. Thus, a simple attack into a cross advance will be granted priority.
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