Use the information here to spot and correct reckless fencing in yourself and your teammates.
WHAT IS EXCESSIVE FORCE/POWER?
Excessive force is the inaccurate targeting of attack acceleration. Excessive attacks might:
Accelerate through a target rather than to a target, or
Aim for the entire person rather than a particular target on that person, or
Contact multiple targets on that person
The attacks on the right go far past the mass of the glove, so much so that, were they to make contact, they would easily contact both the glove and the knee (multiple targets).
Rigid vs Draw Sweeps. Sweeping responsibly means drawing just before the apex of the attack. Note the arm bent at the elbow.
FORCE SIGN
It is easy to tell when a blade has been accelerated beyond necessity when the attack misses. When at attack lands, however, this can be more difficult. In this case, we rely on Force Sign. Force Sign refers to a family of visual indicators that allow an outside observer to get a sense of the forces applied.
Bending. The blade bends into the opponent (as opposed to away— common to perfectly safe percussive cuts). Note the rigid arms.
Skipping. This blade bends and bounces off the opponent while still moving through its original path. Note the rigid arm.
Chain contact. Attack hits or drags across multiple targets on the opponent. Rigid arm.
Attack glances off or presses into target
Attack bounces or strikes multiple times
What is common to all of the above? A persistent rigid arm, the Force Sign that leads to all the others.
Does Force Sign always indicate an excessive attack? No. But every excessive attack shows Force Sign.
EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NOT:
Attacking quickly— this is a competitive sport; speed is a fundamental component.
Causing pain— some fencers are more sensitive than others; some competitors are floppers; pain is not an indictment by itself.
Causing bruises— some fencers bruise easily; bruises are not an indictment by themselves.
Making a loud sound when making contact— the fencing mask, the saber hilt, and certain types of armor or padding make a loud noise when struck; sound is not an indictment by itself.
Good attacks are also usually accurate, hit one target once, and usually do not needlessly windup or exceed the target.
But even wound up sweeps can be done safely and competitively.
THE SAFE FENCING SERIES
