HOW to FINISH a FIGHT in 3 SECONDS || Nick Drossos
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Disengage Attack·Nick Drossos Defensive Tactics
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Disengage Attack
Genusデガジェ攻撃(Degaje Kōgeki)
HybridTranslation: disengage attack
Overview
The Disengage Attack is an indirect attack where the fencer passes the blade under or around the opponent's blade to change the line of engagement and deliver a thrust to the newly opened line. [1] The disengage is executed with a small, tight circular or semi-circular movement of the point (using finger control, not arm movement), deceiving the opponent's parry or blade position and arriving in the opposite line. [1],[2] The disengage is the most common indirect attack in foil because it is fast, deceptive, and can be used as a single action or compounded into sequences (one-two, double disengage). [2],[3]
History & Origin
The disengage (degagement) is a cornerstone technique of French fencing theory, codified in the classical period and taught as the primary indirect attack since the 18th century. [1] Its execution — small, finger-controlled movements rather than arm-driven actions — reflects the refinement of French foil technique. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The disengage is the most common indirect attack in foil and epee because it is fast, deceptive, and mechanically efficient — requiring only finger-controlled blade movement rather than full-arm actions. [1] Execution time for a well-trained disengage is under 150 milliseconds, making it extremely difficult to parry on reaction alone. [2]
Lineage
The disengage (dégagement) was developed by French fencing masters as a way to pass around the opponent's parry by changing the line of attack. [1]
Competition Record
The disengage and its compound variants (one-two, double disengage) collectively represent the most frequently scoring indirect actions in FIE World Championship competition across foil and epee. [1]
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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 en garde position — Establish distance, extend the blade toward the target with a lunge or advance-lunge, recover to guard
As riposte (counter-attack) — Parry the opponent's attack and immediately riposte with a thrust or cut to the exposed target
From distance (preparation) — Use blade work (beats, feints, engagements) to create an opening before the final attack
Variants
Simple attack — single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score
Compound attack — multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create an opening
Riposte — immediate counter after a successful parry
Counter-attack — attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or right-of-way
Videos
6 Forbidden Knockout Pressure Points (Martial Arts Secrets You’re Not Supposed to Know)
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Disengage Attack·Master Yourself
📥 ACCESS THE CLASSIFIED ARCHIVES: 📂 VOL. I // STRUCTURAL NEGATION (Bone & Joint) Break the hardware. Learn how to dis…
Forbidden Martial Arts: 10 Lethal Techniques That Can End a Fight in Seconds
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Disengage Attack·Master Yourself
Are these martial arts myths—or forbidden secrets too deadly to teach? 🥋 In this video, we reveal 10 forbidden martial …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The transcripts provided do not contain instructional content on the disengage attack as taught in sport fencing. Nick Drossos Defensive Tactics focuses on street self-defense principles including distance management, preemptive striking, and targeting vital areas for rapid incapacitation—techniques entirely outside the scope of foil fencing. Master Yourself's two videos address forbidden martial arts techniques and pressure points (dim mach, nerve strikes, eye gouging, joint manipulation, and carotid artery targeting) sourced from various combat systems including karate, jujutsu, hapkido, and Hawaiian warrior arts. While these videos discuss tactical concepts like targeting specific anatomical points and creating openings through strikes, they provide no instruction in fencing footwork, blade mechanics, parry-riposte sequences, or the angular disengagement movements that characterize the disengage attack in foil. The disengage attack—a fundamental offensive technique in sport fencing involving circular blade evasion of an opponent's parry followed by a touch on the opposite line—is not addressed in any of the three transcripts. These materials cover self-defense and martial arts violence rather than the codified sport technique requested.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Nick Drossos Defensive Tactics — HOW to FINISH a FIGHT in 3 SECONDS || Nick Drossos: Discusses preemptive striking, distance management, and vital target selection in street combat scenarios; entirely unrelated to fencing technique.
- Master Yourself — Forbidden Martial Arts: 10 Lethal Techniques That Can End a Fight in Seconds: Covers dangerous martial arts techniques including dim mach, nerve strikes, eye gouging, and bone-breaking moves across multiple combat systems; no fencing content.
- Master Yourself — 6 Forbidden Knockout Pressure Points (Martial Arts Secrets You're Not Supposed to Know): Details pressure point targeting on temple, solar plexus, carotid artery, and brachial plexus for self-defense applications; unrelated to fencing mechanics.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...
FIE Rules of CompetitionPDFHEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓The disengage attack in foil passes the blade under the opponent's blade to attack in a different line — it is the primary compound attack and the foundation of fencing deception (Evangelista, The Art and Science of Fencing, 1996)
✓The disengage exploits the opponent's parry: as they move to block one line, the blade circles under to attack the opposite line
✓Execution: begin extending the arm as if attacking one line, when the opponent moves to parry, drop the point under their blade and extend into the open line
✓The disengage must be small: a tight circle under the blade is faster than a wide loop — the tighter the better
✓The disengage establishes right of way: the continuous arm extension maintains priority even as the blade changes line
✓In foil, the disengage is the most commonly used compound attack: it is the basic answer to any parry
✓The double disengage: if the opponent anticipates the first disengage and re-parries, the blade circles under again to return to the original line
Common Mistakes
!Making the disengage too large — the circle must be as tight as possible for speed
!Pausing during the disengage — the arm extension must be continuous; any pause loses right of way
!Disengaging before the opponent commits to their parry — too early and they can re-parry
!Not maintaining arm extension throughout — the arm must keep extending during and after the disengage
!Using the disengage when the line is already open — if open, use the direct attack; disengage only against a parry
!Dropping the point during the circle — the point must remain threatening throughout the movement
!Not practising the disengage at match speed — the timing must work against fast parries
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En Garde — assume the fencing ready position with proper blade presentation
2Advance/Lunge Preparation — close distance with footwork
3Attack — execute the touch with right-of-way (if applicable) and proper point/edge
4Recovery — return to en garde after the action
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) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
2BookOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Czajkowski, Z., Understanding Fencing (SKA Swordplay Books, 2005) [2] Roi, G.S. & Bianchedi, D., 'The Science of Fencing', Sports Medicine 38.6 (2008)
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) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
5CitationOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Czajkowski, Z., Understanding Fencing (SKA Swordplay Books, 2005) [2] Roi, G.S. & Bianchedi, D., 'The Science of Fencing', Sports Medicine 38.6 (2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive lunge speed, finger/wrist dexterity, cardiovascular endurance
Favours
long reach (tall, long arms), fast-twitch legs
Key muscles
quadriceps (lunge), calves, forearm/finger flexors, core
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I focus on first when facing an attacker?
Nick Drossos emphasizes managing your space and distance first—understanding how far or close the attacker is to you—followed by reading their body language and then setting up your preemptive strike.
Should I strike and then back away, or keep attacking?
Never strike and disconnect. According to Nick Drossos, if you're going to work hard to get in close, you must follow through and finish the attack inside rather than hit and move back, continuously attacking until the attacker is no longer fighting.
What's the key to finishing a fight quickly?
Nick Drossos teaches to launch a preemptive strike with all your effort and immediately follow with continuous strikes to vital targets (eyes, throat, groin) without stopping until you've created enough distance to escape.
How should I position my hands during a defensive encounter?
Your hands should never be down; keep them up and ready at chest or face level so you're prepared to defend or strike preemptively when needed.
How does the Disengage Attack work?
The Disengage Attack is an indirect attack where the fencer passes the blade under or around the opponent's blade to change the line of engagement and deliver a thrust to the newly opened line. The disengage is executed with a small, tight circular or semi-circular movement of the point (using finger control, not arm movement), deceiving the opponent's parry or blade position and arriving in the opposite line.
Where does the Disengage Attack come from?
The disengage (degagement) is a cornerstone technique of French fencing theory, codified in the classical period and taught as the primary indirect attack since the 18th century. Its execution — small, finger-controlled movements rather than arm-driven actions — reflects the refinement of French foil technique.
Is the Disengage 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 Disengage 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 Disengage Attack?
The standard setup chain: En Garde → Advance/Lunge Preparation → Attack → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Disengage 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 Disengage Attack?
Common variants: Simple attack (single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score); Compound attack (multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create a…); Riposte (immediate counter after a successful parry); Counter-attack (attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or rig…).
How effective is the Disengage Attack in competition?
The disengage and its compound variants (one-two, double disengage) collectively represent the most frequently scoring indirect actions in FIE World Championship competition across foil and epee.
What are common mistakes when doing the Disengage Attack?
Top errors to watch for: Making the disengage too large — the circle must be as tight as possible for speed / Pausing during the disengage — the arm extension must be continuous; any pause loses right of way / Disengaging before the opponent commits to their parry — too early and they can re-parry / Not maintaining arm extension throughout — the arm must keep extending during and after the disengage.
What are other names for the Disengage Attack?
The Disengage Attack is also known as Degaje Kōgeki, Degagement, Cavazione, Disengagement.