by Jeff Parsons

Created on: July 22, 2010

En garde! The lunge is the most unpredictable attack in fencing. Even the weakest adversary can catch you by surprise. The best opponents can use the lunge to overwhelm you repeatedly, thereby shaking up your reaction time and smashing your confidence. But there are ways to defend yourself…

These ways revolve around your paying attention, developing your reaction skills and effectively counterattacking. For, although the lunge is the most deadly of attacks, it is also the one attack that leaves your opponent the most vulnerable to a counterattack. In all fencing, your success depends upon attacking and defending. Since we’re concerned about lunges, we’ll first concentrate on defense and then counterattacking.

The best way to avoid an attack is to first be aware of when it might happen. Pay attention to your opponent’s tempo and footwork. A regular lunge won’t occur while your opponent is between steps. The best that could occur is a half-hearted stab with little or no distance gained. While that’s surprising, it has little effect if you have your normal guard up. The same goes for an all-out flying lunge attack, also known as a flunge, but usually that move is telegraphed to you very clearly – your opponent virtually takes a running leap at you. Against these moves, your normal defense methods should protect you. That is, all you have to do is notice that it’s happening, block it and counterattack.

But, when a well-timed regular lunge is used, you may have more difficulty, for the maneuver gives you little or no warning. That’s when your observation skills and reflexes must come into play. What will work? If you can, simply don’t be there when the attack arrives, if not, you must learn how to block the lunge.

The best defense is to simply not be where your opponent wants you.  To do that, anticipate where he will be. First off, if you can, observe your opponent when they’re practicing or fencing someone else. Get a feel for their style, skills and temperament. Find out the patterns within their actions.

When you’re fencing against your opponent, keep a measured distance between you. Match footwork for footwork, unless you choose to attack. Test your opponent’s reactions. Feint and find out their weaknesses. Don’t get lured into attacking too soon – you don’t want to get drawn in close and not be able to pull away from a sudden lunge.

You can avoid an oncoming

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