[From the French verb alonger, to extend or stretch out] Is the act of extending yourself on the line of direction the full distance of your stride, in order to make your approaches to an adversary’s body in delivering a thrust… All longes are performed from guard position, by first forming the position of extension… then instantaneously moving the right foot forward on the same line, with the knee bent and perpendicular, while your left foot remains firmly planted and the left leg and thigh are to be extended along.—The extent of a longe is proportional to your stature.—The extent in general is supposed to be about four feet, or equal to twice the distance or measure of the two heels from each other, when on guard posture. A person of tall stature makes a more extensive longe than one of a short stature; but he cannot recover with that degree of ease and agility unless he is of a very active frame.” (McArthur, 156)
TRADITIONAL FENCING 