Vor, Nach, Indes
Vor / Nach / Indes
A trio of timing terms in German fencing: who holds the initiative (Vor), who reacts (Nach), and the moment when the initiative can be gained (Indes).
Quick Facts
Definition
Vor (before), Nach (after) and Indes (meanwhile) are basic fencing terms according to Johannes Liechtenauer. Vor belongs to whoever acts first and forces the opponent to react. Nach belongs to whoever must respond. Indes is the moment when the fencer, guided by feeling in the bind, decides how to act and so can regain or keep the initiative. Liechtenauer's texts from the late 14th and the 15th century teach that the fencer should strive for Vor. Whoever is in Nach should use Indes to get into Vor. The terms parallel the Japanese go-no-sen and sen-no-sen.
Relations to other terms
Equivalent in another art
Striking the opponent at the moment they begin to attack. One of three ways of taking the initiative, whose exact interpretation differs between schools.
Go-no-sen後の先Taking the initiative only after the opponent's attack. The fighter blocks or evades it and immediately strikes the opening that results.