French Grip | Attack on Preparation with Opposition| Epee Lesson

[@logosao88]

Thanks for the video! I'll try this technique at class tonight.

[@HowtoFencingbyYarikandTim]

How did it go? )))

[@logosao88]

@@HowtoFencingbyYarikandTim Well, I have gone to a couple of competitive classes since I watched your video. I'm left-handed and fenced with an orthopedic-grip for the first 3 years of epee. I've been using a French grip exclusively for a little over a year now. Most of the time, I look to fence absence-of-blade, but I found myself getting bullied when I shied away from blade contact too much. I realized a few months ago that I needed to improve my attacks on the blade as well as my parries in order to get better. These were two things that stood out from last practice: 1) When I made a concerted effort to use opposition (especially opposing in 4), it worked at first because my opponents were not used to it. As they adapted, I found I could then simply extended my blade in order to take the blade and it would trigger a significant parry that I could often disengage for a hit. 2) Some of the right-handed fencers I go up against like to do a small circle-6 when they get near my blade to see if they can bind it then lunge or fleche. A lot of times in the past I simply step back or disengage their search. But over the last two practices, I've noticed their search as they have stepped forward into my critical distance. So, I tried opposing in 8 (catching them as their blade comes under mine) and hitting in the lowline. Many of them were very slow to adjust because they are so use to me disengaging their blade or backing up all the time. I got a boatload of touches over the last two practices. I know that people will adjust to me , but now I have a new technique/tool in my toolbox that I feel confident in using.

[@HowtoFencingbyYarikandTim]

That's actually really good analysis. Absence of blade isa good start as you said, but yes inevitably strong pistol gripper will look to bully that position. Opposition is the "parry" for the french grip. The amount of force a great thrust has is incredibly fast and strong Next step for you is to add indirect attacks(or indirect counter attacks) in to the mix. Sometimes do absence of blade, then do an Opposition and then touch their blade until they start resistance and make sure to disengage before you get overpowered. This will result in their blade flying away due to their own strength

[@33l_pr1m00]

good job katherine

[@user-gi3yr1gl7j]

This is so good thank you

[@HowtoFencingbyYarikandTim]

Thanks !! Hope it helps