Descriptionary

armstand dive any dive begun with the diver stand­ing on his or her hands at the edge of the diving board.

backflip a backward somersault.

back header a backwards dive in which the head hits the water first.

back jackknife a board-facing dive in the jackknife position.

backward dive a dive in which the diver faces the board, leaps off, turns backward, and hits the water feet first. Also, a dive in which the diver faces away from the board and enters the water headfirst.

backward somersault a dive started facing the board, followed by a backward somersault.

degree of difficulty in competition, the degree of difficulty of a dive and its factoring in the final score.

diving well the deep end of a pool.

full gainer a reverse dive with a somersault.

half gainer a backflip ending headfirst and facing the board.

jackknife a dive in which the body describes the positioning of a closing and opening jackknife, with the body doubled over and hands touching the ankles followed by an extension straight into the water.

springboard a diving board.

swan dive a dive in which the head is tilted back and the arms extended out to the sides.

tuck a diving position in which the legs are tucked or folded up into the chest.

twist any twisting dive.

fencing

a droit against the right. a gauche against the left.

aids the three balancing fingers of the weapon hand.

appel a beat or stamp of the foot used to fake an opponent into action.

balestra a short, forward jump followed by a lunge.

beat a sharp blow to the opponent's blade.

bind to take an opponent's blade from a high line diagonally to a low line, or vice versa.

bout one match or fight.

breaking ground backing up a step; retreating.

break time an intentional pause taken between movements to throw off an opponent's timing.

cadence the rhythm in which movements are made.

ceding a parry a yielding parry characterized by a return to the guard position, used as a defense against a taking of the blade.

change of engagement engaging the opponent's blade in a new line.

circular parry a circular blade movement used to pick up an opponent's blade and move it. Also known as a counter parry.

compound attack an offensive action composed of one or more feints.

corps-a-corps body contact between fencers. coule a graze made down the opponent's blade. coup double a double hit.

coupe "cut-over;" passing over the opponent's blade.

covered position a defensive position taken to pro­tect from a direct line or thrust of attack.

croise taking of an opponent's blade by using the forte to force the blade down.

cut to hit with the side of a saber blade to score.

derobement evading the opponent's attempt to take the blade.

development an arm extension and lunge.

disengage to pass the blade under an opponent's blade.

electric fencing fencing in which points are regis­tered by an electric apparatus.

engagement when opposing blades are in contact with one another.

epee a short dueling weapon similar to a foil but with a fluted blade and a larger guard. Also, the style of fencing used with an epee.

feint a fake attack or movement made to deceive an opponent.

fencing jacket a lined, protective jacket worn by fencers.

fleche a running attack with arm extended.

foible the outer portion and tip of a fencing weapon, as distinguished from the forte.

foil a fencing sword with a thin blade and cup guard.

forte the inner portion of a blade, nearest the grip, as distinguished from the foible.

froissement a deflecting attack made on an oppo­nent's blade.

gauntlet a protective glove with flaring cuff.

guard the protective cup or disk near the grip of a fencing weapon.

high lines target areas located above the weapon hand.

hit to hit the opponent with the point (or with an

edge of a saber) to score.

in quartata a step taken to the side to avoid being hit with the opponent's blade.

invitation opening up a vulnerable area to encour­age an opponent to make an attack.

judge the director who, with the assistance of the other judges, makes rulings on hits and nonhits.

jury the president (director) and judges that officiate a fencing bout.

lunge a thrusting attack forward. making ground advancing.

measure the distance from which a fencer can make a hit with a full lunge; the measure varies with the fencer's body size.

molinello a saber cut made with a full swing of the forearm instead of a less powerful wrist cut.