The basic on guard position is with the feet placed shoulder-width apart, the leading foot pointing forward (towards the opponent), the rear foot at right angles to this pointing to the edge of the piste, knees bent. The feet should be flat on the ground and the balance should be 50/50 on each foot.

The sword arm is normally in the sixte position, guarding the sword arm side, i.e. arm bent, with the elbow a short distance forward and above the hip. The sword point should be approximately pointing at the shoulder of the opponent and there should be a straight line from the elbow, through the guard to the point.