14.2.4. Froissement, Sforzo, Expulsion, Etc.

The Froissement (French), Sforzo (Italian), Graze (British), Scrape (British), Expulsion (American), Traverse (American), etc. is an attack on the blade that maintains contact with the opponent's blade throughout its execution in all three weapons.  By the end of the classical period it is still mentioned in texts, but with the caveat that it was a crude, wide, and dangerous (and even unethical in foil) movement that lead to rough play (Grave 1934, Deladrier 1948, Lidstone 1952).  However, in the modern period it became virtually extinct until recently.  There appears to be a current revival of the froissement as a glide with a great deal of force against the opponent's blade in a high line guard, ending in a flick.  While anyone can call any fencing action anything, this does not seem to be a froissement.

Because this is a classical period technique, it is worth spending some effort to try to identify the actual blade movement involved (question 1), and against what configuration of the opponent's blade it was used (question 2).

Question 1 - Descriptions of the actual blade movement are generally consistent:

• First, there is general agreement that this is an attack on the blade in the same family as the Beat and Press (Parise 1884, Provost 1890, Rondelle 1892, French Ministry of War 1908, Manrique 1920, Grave 1934, Castello 1937, Lidstone 1952).  Deladrier (1948) considers it as a preparation striking the blade in the same category as the Beat; this is in distinction from preparations that maintain the blade such as the Press and Glide.
• The middle portion of the fencer's blade is used (Deladrier 1948).  Castello (1937) describes the use as the middle part and finally the forte.  Provost (1890) indicates the forte should be used.  
• The action is a slightly diagonal pressure down the opponent's blade from the foible to the forte, ending with the fencer's arm fully extended and expelling the opponent's blade from the line of engagement followed by the lunge (Manrique 1920, Deladrier 1948).  Hutton (1891) describes this pressure as lateral and downward.  Lidstone (1952) indicates it may be delivered as a beat or press, and is directed generally downward.
• Manrique (1920) implies that the wrist should be rotated during the action (in his description of the Press to which he relates the Froissement).  Lidstone (1952) advocates that in the action to the outside line, the hand should turn into pronation for the initial part of the action and then turn into supination during the Graze. In contrast Parise (1884) emphasizes that hand position should be the same as for the Beat and should not change during the Sforzo:
• In fourth - the hand in third in fourth.
• In third - the hand in second in third.
• In cartoccio (second) - the hand in second.
• In mezzocerchio - the hand in third in fourth.
• The execution is sharp and prolonged with continually increasing pressure as the fencer's arm extends (Deladrier 1948).  Provost (1890) notes that the pressure should not be heavy due to delivery by clenching the muscles.  Castello (1937) notes that the forearm is used to increase the pressure.
• The end is a straight thrust with the fencer's blade still in contact with the opponent's (Deladrier 1948).

In general the action is described as similar to the Press (French Ministry of War 1877, Manrique 1920, Castello 1937, Lidstone 1952) or the Beat (Parise 1884, Lidstone 1952).

Rarely mentioned is the use of the Counter-Expulsion, the Froissement executed with an initial change of line (Deladrier 1948). 

Question 2 - When the technique is used is generally considered to be against the opponent's extended arm (Deladrier 1948).  Provost (1890) describes its use as only in Tierce and when the opponent's arm is extended.  The Amateur Fencers League of America translation of the French Ministry of War fencing manual (1908) suggests that it is generally employed against an extended arm.  Lidstone (1952) states that it is most effective against an extended blade or if the opponent is holding the blade horizontal, but with a bent arm.  Alternately, the action may be executed against an extended blade or from engagement (Parise 1884).  Parise indicates that the Sforzo can be executed in all four lines.  Rondelle (1892) does not indicate which opponent blade position is preferred.

Tactically, there is general agreement that the Froissement is used to clear a line for the straight attack (Parise 1884, Lidstone 1952).  Provost (1890) describes it as being used to paralyze the opponent's hand and arm momentarily as well as to clear the line for the attack.  Both Provost and Lidstone note that it may result in a disarm.  Lidstone notes that the Froissement can be used to cause annoyance to the opponent and upset his or her equilibrium.  Castello (1937) indicates three potential uses:

• To clear a line for the attack.
• As a feint.  Note that Parise (1884) specifically describes a Sforzo and Feint Direct (the Sforzo followed by feint of the straight thrust with a disengage to deceive the attempt to parry). 
• As an invitation to an attack by the opponent (most probably by disengage in tempo).

It is worth noting that Heintz's (1895) Chassey (see blog post 14.2.5 Heintz's Chassey) may be a description of a Froissement.  Heintz precedes the graze on the blade with a strong beat, but otherwise his description is similar to that above.  He also describes a Counter-Chassey similar to Deladrier's (1948) Counter-Expulsion. 

Copyright 2019 by Walter G. Green III

Froissement, Sforzo, Expulsion, Etc. by Walter G. Green III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.