Assaults and bouts: A friendly combat between two fencers is called an assault. When the score of such an assault is kept to determine a result it is called a bout.

Match: The aggregate of the bouts fought between the fencers of two different teams is called a match.

Competition: A competition is the aggregate of the bouts (individual competitions) or of the matches (team competitions) required to determine the winner of the event.
Competitions are distinguished by weapons, by the competitors' sex, by their age and by the fact that they are for individuals or for teams.

Fencing time: Fencing time is the time required to perform one simple fencing action.

Offensive and defensive actions: The offensive actions are the attack, the riposte and the counter-riposte.

• The attack is the initial offensive action made by extending the arm and continuously threatening the opponent's target, preceding the launching of the lunge or flèche
• The riposte is the offensive action made by the fencer who has parried the attack.
• The counter-riposte is the offensive action made by the fencer who has parried the riposte.

The defensive actions are the parries.

  The parry is the defensive action made with the weapon to prevent an offensive action arriving.

Explanation of:

Offensive actions
(a) The attack 
The action is simple when it is executed in one movement and is

• either direct (in the same line)
• or indirect (in another line).

The action is compound when it is executed in several movements.

(b) The riposte
The riposte is immediate or delayed, depending on what action takes place and the speed at which it is carried out.

Examples:

1. The simple direct riposte
   • Direct riposte: a riposte that hits the opponent without leaving the line in which the parry was made.
   • Riposte along the blade: a riposte that hits the opponent by grazing along the blade after the parry.
      
2. The simple, indirect ripostes
   • Riposte by disengagement: a riposte that hits the opponent in the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed (by passing under the opponent's blade if the parry was formed in the high line, and over the blade if the parry was formed in the low line).
   • Riposte with a coupe: a riposte that hits the opponent in the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed (the blade always passing over the opponent's point).
      
3. The compound riposte
   • Riposte with a double: a riposte which hits the opponent in the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed, but after having described a complete circle round the opponent's blade.
   • Riposte with a one-two: a riposte which hits the opponent in the same, line as that in which the parry was formed but after the blade has first been into the opposite line, by passing under the opponent's blade.

(c) Counter-attacks 
Counter-attacks are offensive or offensive-defensive actions made during the offensive action of the opponent.

1. The Stop hit: A counter-attack made into an attack.
    
2. The Stop hit made with Opposition: A counter-attack made while closing the line in which the opponent's attack will be completed
    
3. The Stop hit made within a period a fencing lime, i.e. 'in time' 

(d) Other offensive actions

1. The remise: A simple and immediate offensive action which follows the original attack, without withdrawing the arm, after the opponent has parried or retreated, when the latter has either quitted contact with the blade without riposting or has made a riposte which is delayed, indirect or compound.
    
2. The redoublement: A new action, either simple or compound, made against an opponent who has parried without riposting or who has merely avoided the first action by retreating or displacing the target
    
3. The reprise of the attack: Anew attack executed immediately after a return to the on-guard position.
    
4. Counter-time: Every action made by the attacker against a stop hit made by his opponent.

Defensive actions 
Parries: Parries are simple, direct, when they are made in the same line as the attack. They are circular (counter-parries) when they are made in the opposite line to that of the attacks.

The "in-line" position
The 'in-line' position: The position of a fencer in which his sword arm is straight and the point of his weapon threatens his opponent's valid target.