Basic Fencing Footwork

This covers basic foot work of fencing such as the guard stance, advance/retreat, and a lunge. With a very clear cut video as well.

Guard Stance

• Feet perpendicular.
• Roughly shoulder width apart.
• Knees bent.
• Body facing direction of back foot, head facing direction of front foot.
• Similar to a Karate middle stance.

Advance

• Front foot shifts forward on the heel.
• As the ball of the foot lands the back foot slides in.

Retreat

• Back foot slides back as the front foot (ball of the foot) lifts off the ground.
• Heel of the front foot slides back and the ball of the foot drops.

Lunge

• Front foot "lunges" out on the heel.
• As the ball of the front foot lands the back leg is nearly straight.
• To recover you push off with the front foot, lifting the ball of the foot off of the ground as the back knee bends.
• Then the front heel slides back and the ball of the foot lands.