Prise de fer

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title = Prise de Fer
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data2 = Foil, Épée

Prise de fer is a movement used in fencing in which a fencer takes the opponent's blade into a line and holds it there in preparation to an attack. Translated, prise de fer means "taking-the-blade" or "taking-of-the-blade." Alternate spellings include "Les Prise de Fer", "Prises de Fer", and "Praise de Fer". There are four prise de fer actions: opposition, croisè, bind, and envelopment. However, each fencing doctrine has a seperate view of prise de fer. William Gaugler lists all four actions under "Prise de Fer" in his dictionary of fencing terminology, [Gaugler, William M, "A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology," Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997, p. 48.] while Roger Crosnier in his book "Fencing with the Foil" only mentions the croisé, the bind, and the envolopment as prise de fer actions. [Crosnier, Roger. "Fencing with the Foil," New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1948, p. 177-84.] Any prise de fer action requires that the blades be engages, and it works best against an opponent who uses and maintains a straight arm. Additionally, a successful action demands surprise, precise timing, and control. [De Beaumont, C-L. "Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport." London: Kaye and Ward, 1978, p. 95.]

Opposition

In the "opposition", a fencer takes an opponent's blade in any line and then extends in that line, diverting the opponent's blade, until the action is complete. The opposition can be done from any line, each of which follows the same basic rules.

The Glide

The opposition is typically classified as an action in the French style of fencing, and it is similar to what the Italian school calls a "glide". However, some doctrines teach that the opposition and the glide are separate actions, but the glide can be done using an opposition. [Garret, Maxwell R., Emmanuil G. Kaidanov, and Gil A. Pezza. "Foil, Saber, and Épeé Fencing," University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1994, p. 50.] William Gaugler defines the opposition as an action completed during a thrust in which the hand is shifted against the opponent's blade in an attempt to close the line, while the glide slides along the opponent's blade onto target. [Gaugler, Wiliam M. "The Science of Fencing." Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997, p. 28-30.] Louis Rondelle instructs that a glide should be kept in opposition and that it is "in reality a feint of direct thrust." [Rondelle, Louis. "Foil and Sabre," Boston: Dana Estes and Company, 1892, p. 43]

Croisè

Also known as a Cross or a Liement.

Bind

Also known as a Transfer.

Envelopment

Also known as a Circular Transfer.

References

*Crosnier, Roger. "Fencing with the Foil," New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1948.
*Barbasetti, Luigi. "The Art of the Foil," New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1932.
*Hett, G. V. "Fencing," New York: Pitman Publishing Corporation, 1939.
*Rondelle, Louis. "Foil and Sabre," Boston: Dana Estes and Company, 1892.
*Garret, Maxwell R., Emmanuil G. Kaidanov, and Gil A. Pezza. "Foil, Saber, and Épeé Fencing," University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1994.
*Gaugler, Wiliam M. "The Science of Fencing," Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997.
*De Beaumont, C-L. "Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport," London: Kaye and Ward, 1978.
*Castello, Julio Martinez. "The Theory and Practice of Fencing," New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1933.
*Nadi, Aldo. "On Fencing," Sunrise: Laureate Press, 1994.
*Vass, Imre. "Epée Fencing: A Complete System," Staten Island: SKA Swordplay Books, 1998.
*Gaugler, William M. "A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology," Bangor: Laureate Press, 1997.
*Morton, E. D. "A-Z of Fencing," London: Queen Anne Press, no date.
*Gillet, Jean-Jacques. "Foil Technique and Terminology," Livingston: United States Academy of Arms, 1977.
*Hutton, Alfred. "The Swordsman," London: H. Grevel and Company, 1891.