Standard Epee Attack

Genus

スタンダードエペ攻撃(Sutandādo Epe Kōgeki)

Hybrid

Translation: standard epee attack

Overview

The Standard Epee Attack executes the fundamental offensive thrust in epee by extending the sword arm fully toward the target while advancing with a lunge or fleche, aiming to land the point with sufficient pressure to depress the spring-loaded tip and register on the electronic scoring apparatus. ^[1] The attack requires 750 grams of pressure to register a touch — more than double the foil's 500-gram threshold — demanding precise point control and full commitment to the thrust. ^[1],[2] Standard epee attacks are typically directed at the closest valid target to minimise exposure time: the hand, forearm, or foot in long-distance fencing, and the torso in closer engagements. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Coup Droit en EpeeFR^[1]Basic Epee Thrust^[2]

Used in

Fencing (Epee)

History & Origin

The standard epee attack descends directly from classical thrusting technique used in European small sword duelling, adapted for modern electronic scoring. ^[1] Its emphasis on hitting without being hit reflects the original duelling philosophy that informed epee's development. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The standard épée attack is a direct thrust to the nearest valid target (typically the hand, arm, or torso), prioritising accuracy and timing over blade engagement. ^[1]

Lineage

The direct épée attack descends from French duelling sword technique, emphasising economy of motion and hitting without being hit. ^[1]

Competition Record

The direct attack to the hand and arm is the most common scoring action in épée competition at all levels. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness

Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)

Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)

Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts

Position & Entry

From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears

From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)

As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target

Variants

Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance

Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face

Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high

Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line

Videos

Rogue Saber Academy

Lesson 18 - Crystal Mine - Form 1 Basic Inside Flank Attack

Standard Epee Attack·Rogue Saber Academy

A Rogue Saber Academy Form 1 lesson featuring Lightsaber Training on how to fight, spar, duel, and train with real LED s…

Rogue Saber Academy

Lesson 15 - Hand Slice - Form 1 Basic Outside Arm Attack

Standard Epee Attack·Rogue Saber Academy

A Rogue Saber Academy Form 1 lesson featuring Lightsaber Training on how to fight, spar, duel, and train with real LED s…

Enso Martial Arts Shop

Red Oak Wooden Broadsword | All you need to know | Enso Martial Arts Shop

Standard Epee Attack·Enso Martial Arts Shop

If you're interested in buying the Red Oak Wooden Broadsword click here: https://bit.ly/woodbroadsword ➡️ Don't forget …

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3 videos

What Instructors Say

The standard epee attack in sport fencing fundamentally differs from the lightsaber and broadsword techniques presented in these transcripts, which address different weapons systems entirely. Rogue Saber Academy's lessons on hand slice (Lesson 15) and crystal mine (Lesson 18) describe attacks using curved, single-edged sabers against specific target zones—the outside wrist and inside flank respectively—with footwork emphasizing shorter distances, weight shifting, and blade control. Both techniques involve raising the hilt to eye level, stepping forward with slight angular adjustments, and executing downward or arcing strikes while maintaining posture and breathing discipline. The hand slice prioritizes speed through reduced distance traveled, while the crystal mine uniquely involves attacking while retreating. Enso Martial Arts Shop's discussion of wooden broadsword training addresses equipment considerations rather than technique execution, focusing on practice methodology and weapon selection for solo forms and light contact work. None of these sources directly address epee fencing mechanics, which operate under distinct ruleset constraints (point-only target area on torso and head in modern sport) and emphasize thrust-based linear attacks rather than the slashing methodologies described here. The transcripts represent fundamentally incompatible martial systems.

Synthesized from 3 instructors

Rogue Saber Academy — Lesson 15 - Hand Slice - Form 1 Basic Outside Arm Attack: Describes hand slice attack mechanics: shorter stepping distance, raising hilt to eye level, twisting footwork to target outside wrist, downward chopping motion, and emphasis on speed through reduced travel distance.
Enso Martial Arts Shop — Red Oak Wooden Broadsword | All you need to know | Enso Martial Arts Shop: Discusses broadsword training equipment and solo practice methodology; addresses weapon weight (500g), dimensions (32 inches total, 25-inch blade), and suitability for traditional kung fu and tai chi styles, but does not address attack technique execution.
Rogue Saber Academy — Lesson 18 - Crystal Mine - Form 1 Basic Inside Flank Attack: Describes crystal mine attack: small forward steps with blade pressure, hilt raised to eye level, weight shifted to right foot, backwards C-shaped swing striking inside flank while retreating, and emphasis on maintaining posture during backward movement.

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Low2/10

Modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...

FIE Rules of CompetitionPDF

HEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations

Training Notes

✓Standard epee attack execution: from the en garde position, identify the nearest open target, extend the arm to establish point-in-line, lunge to close the remaining distance, and deliver the touch with 750 grams of pressure while maintaining blade protection (Evangelista, The Art and Science of Fencing, 1996)

✓Step 1: from en garde, identify the target — hand, arm, body, or leg based on what is open

✓Step 2: begin the arm extension toward the target with the blade closing the line (protecting against counter-attack)

✓Step 3: the point moves in a straight line toward the target as the arm extends

✓Step 4: lunge by pushing with the rear leg and extending the front leg

✓Step 5: the touch arrives with sufficient pressure (750g) to depress the epee tip and register on the electric scoring apparatus

✓Step 6: immediately recover to en garde — either forward recovery (if advancing) or backward recovery (to retreat)

✓The arm extension MUST precede the lunge: 'extend then lunge' is the fundamental sequence

✓Drill: partner holds target (hand, arm, chest), extend and lunge to touch — 10 reps per target, focusing on clean arrival

Common Mistakes

!Lunging before extending the arm — the arm extension must lead; lunging first shortens reach and exposes the body

!Not applying sufficient pressure for the electrical touch — 750g is significant; practise with the electric apparatus

!Not closing the line during the attack — the blade must protect against the counter-attack during the extension

!Aiming at a closed target — attack what is open, not what you want to be open

!Not recovering after the lunge — the recovery must be immediate regardless of whether the touch landed

!Using too much force — precision and timing score touches, not power

!Extending and lunging as one motion — the sequential timing (extend THEN lunge) is critical for reach and protection

Related Techniques

Guard Position — the ready stance from which this technique is initiated Parry — defensive blade/weapon action that counters this attack

Counter Techniques

Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack

Setup Chain

1Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) — take the appropriate ready position with the weapon

2Measure Distance (Ma-ai) — establish correct striking distance

3Initiate Cut/Thrust — execute the technique with proper edge alignment or point control

4Follow Through (Zanshin) — maintain awareness and readiness after the technique

Sources & References

Primary Source

The Art of Fencing (Luigi Barbasetti, 1932)

1BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)

Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)

2BookOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)

Effectiveness sources — [1] The Art and Science of Fencing (Evangelista, 1996)

3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology

Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords

4CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)

Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)

5CitationOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)

Effectiveness sources — [1] The Art and Science of Fencing (Evangelista, 1996)

Community

Athletics

Requires

wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision

Favours

quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture

Key muscles

forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves

Frequently Asked Questions

When performing a hand slice attack, how should I move my blade after striking?

You should hit the arm and slide straight back without bouncing off your opponent, traveling a shorter distance than you would with other strikes. Rogue Saber Academy emphasizes pulling back in a straight line as if slicing the hand.

What's the proper breathing technique for a hand slice attack?

Breathe out the moment your strike is made, then breathe in when you're raising your hilt back to ready position.

How does the Standard Epee Attack work?

Where does the Standard Epee Attack come from?

The standard epee attack descends directly from classical thrusting technique used in European small sword duelling, adapted for modern electronic scoring. Its emphasis on hitting without being hit reflects the original duelling philosophy that informed epee's development.

Is the Standard Epee Attack legal in competition?

FIE: legal — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for foil, épée, and sabre; HEMA: legal — Legal in historical fencing competition

How dangerous is the Standard Epee Attack?

Danger rating 2/10. Low — modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)

How do I set up the Standard Epee Attack?

The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).

How do I defend against the Standard Epee Attack?

Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.

What are the variants of the Standard Epee Attack?

Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).

How effective is the Standard Epee Attack in competition?

The direct attack to the hand and arm is the most common scoring action in épée competition at all levels.

What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Epee Attack?

Top errors to watch for: Lunging before extending the arm — the arm extension must lead; lunging first shortens reach and exposes the body / Not applying sufficient pressure for the electrical touch — 750g is significant; practise with the electric apparatus / Not closing the line during the attack — the blade must protect against the counter-attack during the extension / Aiming at a closed target — attack what is open, not what you want to be open.

What are other names for the Standard Epee Attack?

The Standard Epee Attack is also known as Sutandādo Epe Kōgeki, Coup Droit en Epee, Basic Epee Thrust.

standard epee attack sutand do epe k geki weapon fencing sport epee epee attack fencing (epee)coup droit en epee basic epee thrust