The flèche (pronounced /ˈflɛʃ/) is an aggressive offensive fencing technique used with foil and épée.
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, the attack is considered over when the back foot lands, and the opponent can seize Right of Way by initiating an attack.
After attempting the hit, the fencer continues to move forward, running past his opponent, to avoid the riposte if he was 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 involves 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.
The flèche is only used in foil and épée. In sabre, it is forbidden for the back foot to pass in front of the front foot, outlawing the flèche.
The flèche is not allowed in some types of tournaments, especially in high school fencing. For example, the flèche is forbidden in New Jersey interscholastic fencing.
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.
References
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