feints

A feint is a deceptive action intended to mislead an opponent about a person’s intended target, timing, or action. It may be a movement, gesture, or sequence of actions designed to provoke a response while the true action is directed elsewhere.

In martial arts and combat sports, feints aim to provoke defensive reactions—parry, block, retreat, or commitment—while the attacker moves to a different line. Common forms include body feints, hand feints, eye feints, head feints, and step feints. In fencing, for example, a feint is an apparent thrust meant to draw a guard movement.

In team sports and military contexts, feints exploit anticipation and misdirection to create openings or seize space. A soccer player may use a head or shoulder fake to draw a defender aside; a military force may stage a feigned attack or withdrawal to fix the enemy’s attention while a real maneuver unfolds.

Effectiveness depends on timing, credibility, and risk management. An obvious feint may be ignored; a subtle or well-timed feint can force a premature reaction or open a line of attack.

The term derives from the French feindre “to pretend,” from Latin fingere “to shape or pretend.” Feints have appeared in competitive and strategic contexts for centuries and remain a common tool for gaining advantage without committing to the immediate action.