Key summary
- What is a stop-hit & counter-time in fencing: A stop-hit is a surgical counter-attack made into the opponent’s offensive action. Meanwhile, a counter-time is a trap where you provoke an opponent’s stop-hit only to neutralise it, either through a parry-riposte or a direct counter-attack of your own.
- When to use these tactics: Use the stop-hit against “heavy” attackers who have a slow arm or a visible “wind-up” tell. Switch to counter-time against “pickers”, defensive opponents who refuse to lead and are waiting to hit your hand the moment you move.
Most fencers view a bout as a series of alternating turns: “I attack, then you defend.” However, elite epee is won in the gaps between those turns. The stop-hit and counter-time are the two primary ways fencers break the rhythm of a bout.
Training and prepping for your epee fencing competition? Let’s explore how to stop an opponent in their tracks and, more importantly, how to trap an opponent who thinks they can stop you.
What is a stop-hit in epee fencing
A stop-hit (coup d’arrêt) is a counter-attack made into the opponent’s offensive action. In epee, it is the most efficient way to score because there is no right of way. If you hit them first, the point is yours. In foil or sabre, however, a stop-hit is risky because of right of way.
How to execute a stop-hit in epee fencing
The goal of a stop-hit is rarely the chest as it is too far away and well-defended.
Instead, the advanced targets are the wrist, forearm, and top of the bicep.
- Extension: Like the fleche, the arm must lead. It must be fully locked before the opponent’s tip is within reach.
- Displacement: A “standing” stop-hit is a double-touch waiting to happen. To get a single light, you must combine the hit with a retreat or a lean back, maximising the distance between your chest and their tip.
When to use a stop-hit in epee fencing
- Against the “heavy” attacker: If your opponent lunges with a lot of footwork but a slow arm, their wrist is a stationary target.
- On the preparation: Catch them while they are mid-step. When their front foot is in the air, they cannot change direction or parry effectively.
- Observe the set-up: Your observation of how your opponent fences and their rhythm is very important. Many fencers have a “tell”, for instance, a small pull-back of the hand or a heavy step before they lunge. This is your green light. The moment their hand moves back, your point moves forward. By the time they start their lunge, they have already walked onto your point.
- “Duck” Stop-Hit (Inquartata): For advanced fencers, the stop-hit is combined with a body displacement. By stepping off the line (Inquartata) or dropping low (Passata Sotto), you remove your own target from the equation while leaving your point in their path.
What is a counter-time in epee fencing
If the stop-hit is an interruption, counter-time is a provocation. It is an action taken by the attacker against a counter-attacker.
How to execute a counter-time in epee fencing
To execute counter-time, you must intentionally “fake” an opening. You offer your forearm. You take a lazy step. You want your opponent to try a stop-hit.
- Bait: A slow, half-extended preparation.
- Catch: As they reach for your arm, you parry their stop-hit and land your own riposte.
Counter-time is “second intention” fencing. You aren’t trying to hit with the first move. Instead, the first move is a question. The second move—the parry-riposte against their counter-attack—is the answer.
When to use counter-time in epee fencing
- Against the “picker”: If you realise your opponent is waiting for you to attack so they can hit your hand, stop attacking the chest. “Attack” their hand instead.
- Break the passive bout: In a bout where neither fencer wants to move, counter-time creates an opportunity that forces the opponent to engage. Maintain the pressure by constantly performing short attacks to the guard/wrist, to provoke a reaction from the opponent.
Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
Even the best fencers fail at these moves for two reasons: Distance and Hesitation.
- Short stop-hit: If you stop-hit without retreating, you will almost certainly get a double touch. To get it right, you must pick the hand and move your feet backward simultaneously.
- Heavy counter-time: If your bait is too obvious, the opponent won’t bite. If it’s too subtle, they might actually hit you.
Learn more about the other common mistakes in fencing and how to avoid them.
3 fencing drills to master stop-hit & counter-time
- Stop-go drill: Have a partner take steps toward you. At random intervals, they wind up for an attack. You must land a stop-hit to the wrist and retreat before they finish.
- Small target drill: To land a stop-hit on a moving wrist, your point control must be telescopic. We recommend practicing hits against a hanging tennis ball. If you can hit a ball on a string, you can hit a fencer’s watch-strap.
- Counter-time loop: Practise a slow step-in, a sharp parry-of-four against an imagined stop-hit, and a finishing fleche.
Frequently Asked Questions about stop-hit & counter time in fencing
1. Is a stop-hit the same as a counter-attack?
In the broadest sense, yes. In epee, a stop-hit is the most common form of counter-attack. The distinction is that a stop-hit specifically aims to catch the opponent during their preparation or at the very start of their extension. It stops the momentum of their attack by hitting them before they can finish their movement.
2. Why do I keep getting double touches when I try to stop-hit?
The most common reason for a double touch is failing to retreat. If you stand your ground while stop-hitting the opponent’s arm, their momentum will carry their tip onto your chest just a few milliseconds later.
To get a single light, you must execute a hit and run—extending your arm while simultaneously taking a sharp step back or leaning your torso away from their blade.
3. Which grip is better for these techniques: French or Pistol?
Both have advantages, but they favour different styles:
- French grip: Generally superior for stop-hits because you can pommel (hold the end of the grip) to gain an extra two to three inches of reach. This allows you to “pick” the opponent’s hand from a distance where they cannot reach you.
- Pistol grip: Superior for counter-time. Because counter-time often involves a parry-riposte against the opponent’s stop-hit, the stronger, more ergonomic hold of the pistol grip gives you the leverage needed to dominate the blade during the parry.
4. How do I know if my opponent is baiting me into counter-time?
Watch for lazy preparations. If an opponent who is usually fast and tight with their movements suddenly takes a slow, wide step with their hand slightly out of position, they are likely inviting you to hit them.
Before you take the bait, check their distance. If they are balanced and ready to parry, it’s a trap. A real opening usually happens when the opponent is genuinely off-balance or mid-recovery.
5. Can I stop-hit to the foot (toe-pick)?
Yes, and it is one of the most effective stop-hits in epee. Because the foot is the closest target to you when an opponent steps forward, it is often easier to hit than the wrist.
However, it requires a deep duck or a very fast extension. The key is to hit the foot and immediately pull your head and shoulders back, as you are momentarily vulnerable to a hit on the mask while reaching down.