Difference between revisions of "Learn to Fence"

#Decide why you want to fence. Is it for [[Achieve Overall Fitness|fitness]], competition, or for historical appeal? All of these are legitimate reasons, and each leads to a different type of fencing and training. Fencing is an old art that has great traditions and cultures, so you may find it more enjoyable if you immerse yourself in it.  Fencing is a great way to learn both mental and physical skill and discipline.<ref name="rf1">http://www.desertfencingacademy.com/wordpress_/why-should-i-fence/</ref> But it’s also great exercise and great fun for the more casual fencer too!

#Research different types of fencing. Fencing has very strong traditions, and a number of distinct schools with different styles and approaches. The Italian, Spanish, and French schools, which can trace their histories back hundreds of years, are dominant across the world of fencing. The difference between these schools may be relatively slight, focused on the specifics of different weapons, but it is worth having a basic knowledge before you start.<ref name="rf2">http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~fencing/oldweb/history/fencinghistory.html</ref>

#Learn to use your sword correctly and safely. It's important that you know how to hold your sword. Don't wave it around, and never point it at somebody who isn't wearing the protective mask. When you are holding it, keep the point of sword pointing towards the floor. If you are moving while holding the sword, hold it by the point not the handle. If you need both of your hands to take your mask on or off, be sure to put the sword down first.<ref name="rf3">http://www.hpfc.org.uk/basics.htm</ref>

#Get to know the essential terminology. You will need to have a solid understanding of the basic lexicon of fencing. Some of the most important terms to learn at the beginning are: En garde, Attack, Parry, Riposte, Counter Riposte. Attack is an offensive action, parry a defensive one.<ref name="rf4">http://www.fencing.net/449/glossary-of-fencing-terms/</ref> A riposte is a counter-attack after a parry, and a counter-risposte is an attack that follows a parry of a riposte.<ref name="rf5">http://www.acfencers.com/essentials.html</ref>

#Master the basic footwork. Footwork is absolutely essential in fencing, so it's important to develop fluid and easy movement. The basics you will need to learn, however, are the En Garde position, and the simple advance and retreat. The En Garde position is your starting position. You will stand side on, leading with your sword hand, with your foot on that side pointed towards your opponent while your rear foot points out at roughly 90 degrees. When advancing the front foot leads, and when retreating the back foot leads.<ref name="rf5" />

#*A common mistake for beginners is to hold the grip too tight. You need loose and flexible wrists.<ref name="rf6">http://www.sword-play.net/techniques.htm</ref>

#Learn the first blade work techniques. Once you have got a comfortable and technically sound grip you can learn the first elements of blade work. This may depend on your instructor and weapon choice, but you can expect to learn the straight thrust and the simple parry first. These are the simple offensive and defensive moves which you will then build on with variations and additions.<ref name="rf7">http://www.oneonta.edu/development/clubs/fencing/Basic_defense.asp</ref>

#Decide on your sword. Once you've got started you might want to choose to focus on one weapon which you prefer. Your coach will probably present you with a choice of weapons (Foil, Epée, or Saber), or give you a foil without such a choice.<ref name="rf8">http://olympiafencingcenter.com/discover-the-olympic-sport-of-fencing/</ref> Many fencing masters and coaches believe that the correct order to learn the weapons in is foil-épée-saber. Sometimes you will encounter a coach who will try to start students with Epée or Saber (this is actually fairly common among high school coaches, as they need to generate fencers in all weapons quickly).