I just checked out this LiveJournal blog that offered a perspective of fencing as sport vs. martial art.  I took a little bit of an issue with one of the statements:

Comparing today’s smallsword lesson to Thursday’s foil lesson highlights the difference. One example: a counterattack (attack into opponent’s attack without parrying) that causes a double touch can be a good idea in foil. It results in the ref calling a halt to figure out who had right of way - even if I’m hit I might still score a touch. Counterattacking in smallsword is stupid because unless I’ve taken action to get my opponent’s point away from me, I’m still dead :P

It’s these modern rules that sometimes sends historic fencers into a sword-snobbing tirade of “that’s not real fencing”, and it’s the lack of emphasis on just who was exercising good technique that causes some modern fencers to think that historic fencers are bunch of untrained barbarians :P

It’s not the modern rules, but a misunderstanding of them that is at issue here.  To fire off a counterattack in the hopes that the referee is unable to accurately reconstruct the action is at best a cynical approach and at worst speaks of an ongoing death wish and need for therapy.

Look, the counter-attack has it’s place but it’s got to be set up correctly.  The idea is to force your opponent to miss and, if done correctly, make them think that it was just a spot of luck on your part so that they try to do the same thing again!

Do you want to get good at counter-attacks?  Then first try to set up where your opponent is going to attack and when - learn how to set traps.  Set up your foil and your body position so that there is one obvious and tempting place to finish the attack. 

Example: If I’m fencing you and I know that you want to fleche at me you’ll notice that I hug the right side of the strip, keep my guard in 6 (high, outside line), and then “let” my shoulders square up so I’m presenting a wide target.  “Aha!” thinks the fencer, “he’s getting a little lazy and the non-weapon shoulder is wide open - there is no way he can parry in time, especially if I angulate!”  Out comes the fleche to my 4 line, suddenly my shoulder goes away as my profile goes flat, my foil comes out, you are hitting air and I’ve hit you in the chest or flank.

Go out and try out a few traps.  Don’t even counter-attack off of them yet.  Just learn about how your body and blade position “push” different fencers to attacking and finishing in different targets.  Do this to learn how to set the trap.  Once you are confident that you’re setting it up correctly, experiment with tripping the trap.