Flèche (fencing)

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Two épéeists mid-bout. The fencer facing the camera is in the initial stages of a flèche.

The épéeist on the left is attacking with a flèche

The flèche is an aggressive offensive fencing technique generally used with the foil and épée weapons.

[edit] Background

In a flèche a fencer transfers his weight onto his front foot and starts to extend the arm. Continuing to bring the weapon, arm and front shoulder forward, he picks up his back foot, crossing his front leg, and landing it in front of the other foot - as if taking an exaggerated walking stride and unlike a normal fencing step. It is at this point, when the back foot lands and just after that arm has become fully extended, that the hit should be made. In foil, it is when the back foot lands that the attack is considered over and Right of Way transfers to the opponent.

After attempting the hit, the fencer continues to move forward, running past their opponent, to avoid the riposte if they were parried, or a counter attack. If the fencer moves past as quickly as possible the opponent generally only has one chance to hit the fleching fencer as he/she passes.

The flèche gives speed and an element of surprise. The flèche is absolutely not a charge down the piste at an opponent at distance. In fact the distance shouldn't be much greater than with a lunge.

It should be noted that many fencing administrations do not allow the use of this technique as it is considered to be possibly dangerous to the defending fencer.

[edit] History

The term flèche is a French term meaning "arrow", referring to the surprising style of the attack. Under FIE rules it is illegal for a sabreur to cross his or her legs, making the flèche illegal. Sabreurs can instead use a flunge - a portmanteau of flèche and lunge - where a lunge (generally cutting to head) is made with a leap to give speed and close the extra distance.