Placing the point accurately in the lunge is very important.

This is a technique that I have devised that works very well. It is somewhat counter intuitive, and experienced fencers have generally doubted that it works. However, I guarantee that it does.

1. Measuring point accuracy

A dart board works quite well, since it has a bull's eye type of target. However, it is somewhat fragile and needs some protection. The target can be placed on a standing platform that is constructed of six pieces of wood. The top and bottom are rectangular, while the struts are placed on the four corners. The struts can be 2 x 4 pieces of wood that are about shoulder height or above. The width of the top and bottom pieces should be greater than the diameter of the dart board. Fast them all together with wood screws. The dart board is fastened at the top with a simple hanger from which the dart board is hung. A heavy weight at the bottom stabilizes the target device such that a touch can move the assembly but not result in it falling over. This helps the fencer learn proper distance. Too hard a touch, and you are too close to the target. Try for a very gently touch with a very straight arm.

2. Distance from that target

You will need to be much further from the target than you think. Practice getting back further and further until it is difficult to make the target assembly rock back and forther. I am a little over six feet in height, and my proper distance is over ten feet from the target. What most fencers have difficulty in accepting the notion that target accuracy actually increases with distance!

3. Doing a proper lunge

First check out the techniques page to learn the fundamentals. It is important to begin the lunge with a thrust that ends up in a very straight arm. The rules of fencing emphasize this for right of way in a bout. Make sure that you begin at the proper distance. Mark that spot on the floor with something, such as a piece of tape for reference. As your arm approaches a full thrust, you can begin the lunge. The arm thrust should help carry you forward, and your left leg must exert full forward motion. It is extremely important to end up with your left leg completely straight at the end of the lunge. This is something that you will want to practice during your warmups before fencing. At this moment, the point of your weapon will be aligned to the center of the target. However, the point will be somewhat short of the target if done properly. Then thrust your left arm backward and downward for the end of the thrust. This thrusting action will move your point forward to the center of the target if done properly. This techniques takes practice, but in the end it will prove to be quite valuable.

4. Measuring Point Accuracy

The dart board has concentric rings to which you can assign point values. The center circle has a small dot that is about the size of a dime. This should be assigned a very high value, such as maybe 60 points. The small ring around it perhaps 25 points, and so on. Make sure that your starting position is correct, since knocking over the target represents negative points, say -70 points.

5. Measured Results

I tried this method, not only on myself, but on fencers of ages ranging from 8 years to 50 years of age, and it really does work. I was surprised to find that one 10 year old, who only had four lessons, beat everyone else in the club on point accuracy, and he also had one of the best lunges!

6. Final Comments

The action of the left leg in forcing the lunge is not to be underestimated. At the end of the lunge it should be completely straight. In the beginning, you may not be able to do this, so it will take some effort and practice. You don't want to strain a muscle, so be cautious as you increase the distance of your lunge. When you begin to appreciate the strength of your left leg in the lunge, you will also feel much more confortable in the lunge. You will also see the value of the left arm in getting those last few inches of lunge and added point accuracy. No doubt, you will tend to fall somewhat sideways in your lunges in the beginning, probably to your left if you are right handed. The left arm is used to achieve balance, so don't underestimate the importance of the left arm in the lunge. A sloppy left arm is the bain of the inexperienced fencer.