Each action in fencing represents a unit of fencing-time; e.g. step, lunge, attack, parry, riposte. In order to score a hit (on or off target) a fencer must be in time and have the priority (i.e. by threatening the opponent by straightening the arm, point on target).

The priority is gained either by initiating an attack, by making a riposte or counter-riposte immediately after a parry, or by making a stop-hit during the pause between two fencing actions (see Rules: Foil - Validity and Priority of the Hit ).

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.

• 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.