feint

A feint is a deceptive movement or action intended to mislead an opponent about the actor’s true intention or target. It involves pretending to attack, defend, or move in one direction while preparing to do something else.

The term comes from the French feinte, meaning deception, and has historical roots in military tactics where feints were used to mislead the enemy about strength, position, or plans. In modern usage, the concept has spread to sports, martial arts, and everyday strategy.

In combat sports and martial arts, a feint is a deliberate fake that mimics a real attack but is not meant to land. The aim is to provoke a reaction from the opponent—such as blocking, dodging, or overcommitting—that creates an opening for a subsequent strike or maneuver. Common varieties include body feints, hand feints, and foot feints, and they are often used in combination with an actual attack.

In fencing, a feint (often called a feinte) is specifically a false attack designed to provoke a parry or reaction, with the attacker then following through with a genuine attack elsewhere. The effectiveness of a fencing feint hinges on timing, speed, and the perceived threat it creates.

Feints appear in many other contexts as well, such as basketball pump fakes, football play-action fakes, or dribbling feints in soccer. Across domains, feints aim to disrupt an opponent’s rhythm, induce mistakes, or create space, but they require credibility and precision. If a feint is easily ignored or poorly executed, it can waste energy and leave the attacker exposed.