MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 93 



105. After men have fenced in pairs, practice should be 

 given in fencing between groups, equally and unequally di- 

 vided. When practicat)le, intrenchments will be used in fenc- 

 ing of this character. 



In group fencing it will be necessary to have a sufficient 

 number of umpires to decide hits. An individual receiving a 

 hit is withdrawn at once from the bout, which is decided in 

 favor of the group having the numerical superiority at the 

 end. The fencing salute is not required in group fencing. 



* EXILES FOE FENCING AT WILL. 



106. 1. Hits on the legs below the knees will not be counted. 

 No hit counts unless, in the opinion of the instructor, it has 

 sufficient force to disable. 



2. Upon receiving a hit, call out " hit." 



3. After receiving a fair hit a counter attack is not per- 

 mitted. A position of engage is taken. 



4. A second or third hit in a combined attack will be counted 

 only when the first hit was not called. 



5. AVhen it is necessary to stop the contest — for example, be- 

 cause of breaking of weapons or displacement of means of 

 protection — take the position of the order. 



6. When it is necessary . to suspend the assault for any 

 cause, it will not be resumed until the adversary is ready and 

 in condition to defend himself. 



7. Attacks directed at the crotch are prohibited in fencing. 



8. Stepping out of bounds, when established, counts as a hit. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR FENCING AT WILL. 



107. When engaging in an assault, first study the adver- 

 sary's position and proceed by false attacks, executed with 

 speed, to discover, if possible, his instinctive parries. In or- 

 der to draw the adversary out and induce him to expose that 

 part of the body at which the attack is to be made, it is 

 advisable to simulate an attack by a feint and then make the 

 real attack. 



108. Return attacks should be frequently practiced, as they 

 are difficult to parry, and the opponent is within easier reach 



