Setting up the touch using distance and timing.  

Setting a rhythm and breaking tempo.  

Reading the opponent's cues and giving misleading cues to control them.

It starts with the press, applying pressure to the opponent by closing into critical distance.  

Distance and Timing -  Critical distance is the distance at which a touch can be made. 

Looking for the right time to attack while being aware of the cues the opponent is giving  in response to your movement. 

Different levels of fencers have different critical distances.

The direction the opponent is moving can change the distance moving into or out of critical distance.

If they are retreating, you're attack will take more time and  give time to parry or avoid the touch. - Bad timing

If they are advancing, the distance can collapse changing critical distance into scoring/touching distance.

When opponent attacks you when you press

• Parry/Riposte

Clever opponent changes their attack to

• • Feint in Time - False Parry, Parry Riposte

  • Counter Riposte - Compound Riposte

  • Counter Attack, Evade - Angulated Riposte

• Counter Attack

  • Fake Attack, Parry Riposte - Counter Riposte

• Retreat to reset

  • Redouble - Riposte

Catching the opponent asleep; unaware they are in critical distance then make simple attack.

Clever opponent changes to

• Fake Nothing, Parry-Riposte 

  • Counter Riposte

  • Counter Attack

  • Feint/Attack

• Counter Attack with Opposition/Take/Evasion

  • False Attack, Parry Riposte

The opponent realizes the distance late and starts to counter attack then finish the simple attack

Clever opponent using 2nd intention changes to

• False Counter Attack, Parry Riposte

  • Indirect attack (w/opposition)

  • Counter Riposte

When the opponent is threatening target with extension make beat attack or take blade.

Clever opponent changes to 

• Derobe

  • Fake take, beat riposte

• Counter Riposte

  • Beat - indirect attack simple/compound

  • Counter Riposte