Going off the side of the strip with one or both feet halts the fencing action, and is penalized by allowing the opponent to advance one metre before being replaced on guard.
If the offending fencer would then be replaced behind the rear limit of the strip because of this, a touch is awarded to the opponent.
If play is halted for any reason other than stepping off the side of the piste a fencer may never be replaced on guard behind the rear line.
If no touch is scored but play was halted, the fencers come en garde at the position they were stopped.
This is to prevent accidental touches to the piste from registering as off target and resulting in a halt.