Chapter 1: The Art of Fencing

Some interesting facts about fencing

• Some famous people who were fencers:
  Grace Kelly, Basil Rathbone, Danny Kaye, Winston Churchill, Cornel Wilde, Neil Diamond, Rene Descartes, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Sir Richard Burton, T.H. White, Harry Hamlin, Aldo Nadi, Erza Pound, Jose Ferrer, Bruce Dickinson, Robert Montgomery, Bo Derek, General George Patton, Alexandre Dumas, Lonnie Anderson, King Olaf V, Paul Newman, Richard Thomas and Errol Flynn.
• Fencing can be engaged on 2 levels -
  (1) as an excercise
  (2) as a competitive sport
  
  There are several steps in developing your skills:
  Basic -
  (1) learn the basic moves
  (2) practice foot work
  (3) concentrate on technique
  (4) engaged in practice bouts
  
  Team Competition -
  (1) learn the rules
  (2) etiquette and sportsmanship
  (3) electric weapons
  (4) develop strategy
  (5) teamwork and team spirit
  (6) winning
  
  Individual amatuer competition -
  (1) private lessons
  (2) regular tornaments
  (3) ranking
  (4) mental concentration
  (5) Advanced skills and tactics -
  
  More to come...

fencing terminologies

• en garde - starting ready position.
• strip - the area designated to be used for fencing.
• touch - a term for being hit by a sword.
• foil, epee, sabre - the three weapon types in competitive fencing.
• parry - a defensive action to block an attacking blade.
• riposte - a response to an attack after successfully blocked the attack.
• remise - an action to attack after an initial attack has missed the mark.
• mask or helmut - a protective head gear while fencing.
• glove - a protective gear for the fencing hand.
• grip - the handle on the weapon. Different grips are available to be chosen (French, Italian, Belgium...)
• beat - action to tap the opponents blade.
• attack - an offensive action to try and score a touch.
• lunge - a forward motion to try and extend your reach in an attempt to score a touch.
• fleche attack - An offensive action to commit all out to score a touch.
• stop thrust - a defensive move to attempt to hit your opponent while he is on the attack.
• dis-engage - to move your blade and manuver around the opponents blade.
• retreat - a defensive move to back up and maintain a safe distance away from an attacking opponent.
• point - the tip of a weapon and the contact when a touch is made.
• blade - the long part of the weapon.
• guard - the round protective metal part of the weapon.
• grip or handle - The part of the weapon you hold. there are several types and the preferred grip is the pistol grip which offers the best leverage.

Basic moves

• en garde - starting position.
• Advcance - step forward.
• Retreat - step backward.
• Lunge - a simple attack.
• Step lunge - combining an advance and follow by a lunge.
• Ballestra lunge - an attack with more force and penetration.
• Fleche - an all out attack.
• Stop thrust - a counter action to interrupt an impending attack.
• Bounce - a back and forth motion on both feet in preparation for attack or defense.
• Re double - another attack following a failed attack.
• Cross over step - A fast way of advancing forward without threat of being attacked. Used to close the distance between you and your opponent.

Epee targets

1. Primary target is the upper body. It is the biggest and easiest to hit. It is also the most defended region.
2. The Mask and bid of the mask is also valid target. This is especially vulnerable when your opponent leans forword.
3. The weapon arm and wrist area is an excellent target. It is the closest part of the opponent. It is difficult to aim because it is small, round surface and moving.
4. The forward leg and shin is also a good target. It is also closer than the body but lower.
5. The front foot is a good target but very difficult to hit. It is a good surprise move especially against a tall fencer.
6. The lower torso and groin are valid targets as well.
7. The back arm and back leg are also valid targets but seldom the target. They are the most distant target.
8. The guard of your opponents weapon is off target. It is grounded such that if you are fencing with electrical setup, the lights will not score when you hit it. However, one tactic is to aim for the guard and slide off it to hit the wrist area. A very effective move at times.

A simple guide

• Always keep your balance.
• Breath regularly and through your mouth.
• Relax your big muscles and stay loose.
• Don't grip your weapon too tightly. Hold it like a bird and as an extension of your arm.
• Maintain a safe distance from your opponent. (a distance just short of a lunge attack that will hit your opponent)
• Maintain control of your point at all times.
• Make small quick motions with your parry and reposte.
• Use the guard as a shield to block your opponent's weapon or blade.
• Be alert at all times and don't be surprised by a sudden attack (lunge or a flesh attack).
• Maintain a small profile by positioning your body at an angle and stay upright and don't lean forward.

Some attack strategies...

• Tap under the opponents's blade and jab at the under hand target. If you miss, try again or if the opponent counter attacks, parry and reposte either with a parry of 4 or parry of 6.
• Make an attack by extending the arm and lunge at the opponent however, at the last moment, drop your point and aim at his shin or his foot. If you miss, retreat or if the opponent attacks, keep the point extended to remise to his body.
• A tactic, called second intention, can be used to draw out your opponent. One such move is to drop your en guard fencing arm position just slightly to expose the top part of your hand. As your opponent attacks the exposed target, you are ready to parry and reposte to his body.
• Initiate a feign attack by extending the arm and move forward one step. As the opponent reacts by parrying, disengage in the opposite direction and lunge at the same time to score a touch.
• Use your blade as a propeller in one direction or the other while moving forward and fishing for your opponent's blade. Once you engage his blade, wait for him to react with a disengage, then make a parry and reposte to score.
• Against a shorter fencer of the opposite hand, (left handed against right handed), you can do a "stop thrust" while the opponent is attacking by bringing your weapon up high and leaning forward and raising on your toes. His forward moving body will step right into your point.
• Another advanced tactic is called "broken tempo". This is a complex move that is not easily described. What it involves is a change in the speed of your normal fencing movement. As you are moving back and forth against your opponent, you initiate an attack at your normal speed but then pause slightly and wait for a reaction from your opponent. If he takes the bait, then you resume your attack with a parry and counter attack at an accelerated speed. This will through off your opponent's timing and give you the advantage.

My progress...

• Dec. 2006 - My first month was spent just taking a weekly 20 minutes lesson to get back to the basics. I started to get the equipment I will need. Here is a list of basic items for beginners.
  - A mask
  - A glove
  - A jacket
  - A pair of fencing shoes (not necessary for beginners)
  - A practice weapon (recommmend pistol grip)
  - A fencing bag
  I was lucky to have a friend who can get the equipment for very little money.
  I also found a place on eBay to buy very reasonable priced weapons. They ship in 2 dys.
• My first lesson was very basic. I was out of breath near the end of the 20 minutes. It demonstrated to me that I am out of shape. I was surprised that I remember everything. I guess it is like riding a bike, once you learnt it, you never forget. I just couldn't execute as well as I used to. I was also surprised that I did not feel pain the next day. I felt a little sore in my leg and that was all.
• I also noticed how young the club members are. They start much younger now. When I was starting out, most people sttarted in High School or Freshman College. Now, I am told some start as young as 6 years old. Also, they have many age groups now. there is approx. a group every 2 years for young fencers and 2 seniors age groups. I am in the 50-59 group. The goosd news is that it is becoming a more popular sport.
• After joining the club as a regular member, I intend to start practicing twice a week. I plan to work with my son who is a beginner. He needs to learn the basics before joining a group lesson.
• Next, I plan to become a member in the USFA. There is an annual fee of $50 to join and this will allow the members to participate in regular competition tournaments.
• We were able to test our new equipment on the electric machine today. Everything worked fine. The weapon, the body cord worked as expected. Jason and I had our first electic epee bout. I think he enjoyed the free play and the excitement of scoring.
• (2/8/2007)
  Today, I had my first two practice electric bouts. I won one and lost one. It was against 2 other club members, one middle age fencer and one teenager. I was able to hold my own but the following morning, I was feeling sore all over. I guess I'm still not quite in shape.
• (2/21/2007)
  Today, I engaged in 2 bouts in a row and won both. I am still very stiff and afterwards my tedon is very sore. I had a hardtime walking for a day. I guess I need more mobility training...
• (2/22/2007)
  Today, my good friend Arnie came to visit and gave both my son and myself a lesson. It was great and I really appreciate his patience and his effort.
• (3/13/2007)
  I continued practicing at the club twice a week. Today, I fenced my first 10 touch bout. There were 2 double touches and I won 10-6. I was surprised that I was not out of breath at the end. I held my own against a 15 year old. I still need to work on mobility. My right knee and tendon was sore afterwards.
• (4/04/2007)
  I vacationed in Seattle this week and stopped in at Salle Auriol to workout. I was undefeated in the bouts I fenced. I was tired after about an hour. It was great to see my friend Wang. We had a few beers.
• (5/15/2007)
  I've decided to enter the NY State Empire State Games (Masters tournament). it will be held in late July in Westchester.
  Here is the link-
  Empire State Game
• (6/1/2007)
  I entered a local tournament in Danbury CT. today. It was an epee round robin and 8 people showed. I'm not sure it counted as an official tournament but it was my first competition. I won 3 bouts and lost 4. Not too bad for a first try. I had to learn some new rules and the strip was electric. It was a good learning experience and I still need to work more on building my stamina. The field consist of mostly experienced fencers. It was quite different than what I was fencing at FAW. The 3 minute time limit is also a new constraint and I need to mondify my strategy.
• (6/9/2007)
  I entered a Div. 3 epee tournament in Maplewood, NJ. There were 15 fencers of E and U classification and I came in at #5. I was undefeated in the round robin and ranked first after the first round. I lost 13-12 in the Direct Elimination round in overtime. It was a good experience since I never fenced in a 15 touch competition bout. I guess I need to work more on my stamina. Most of the other fencers were one third my age. I felt good being able to hold my own.
• (7/28/2007)
  I competed in the Empire State Games (epee Masters tournament) that is for 50+ age group. I ended up with a 3rn place finish and a bronze medal.
• (8/11/2007)
  I competed in my first outdoor epee tournament in Yonkers NY. It was a great experience though it was a little slippery on the wet grass. The best part was the final 4 was fenced in an open arena with a wireless portable system. This is the invention of Roland Radius. I had a great time and met some new fencers from the surrounding clubs. I was tied for third place and earned a "C" ranking.
• 10/15/2007)
  I started taking lessons once a week at FAW. My coach is Alexei Cheremsky. FAW Coaches
• 12/07/2007
  I entered my first NAC (North America Cup) tournament Vet 50 group in epee and finished 15th out of 44 entries. I earned a total of 202 points.

My trip to Seattle...

More photos...

My 3rd place finish at the 2007 Empire State Games.

• Wireless fencing in Yonkers NY (8/2007)
  
• My 2nd place finish at the Medeo Chocolate Cup tournament on 2/10/2008. I earned a B2008 ranking.
  Photo credit (Christine Merk)
  

Navigation

• My first idea is to replace the existing body wire and reels with some "wireless" or bluetooth technology so that fencers in electric bouting will not have to hook up to these motion limiting harness. Some innovation can take this to a whole new plain.