A moderate level of skill eg. C classification can take a few years of regular practice and competition. Penetration of the elite ranks eg. Progress can be faster or slower, depending on the fencer's aptitude, dedication, quality of instruction, and the age at which they begin. We are always growing, always improving, no matter how long we have been fencing.
Obviously, becoming an elite fencer on the international level takes many years of heavy practice and training. That pulls us down to the basics of fencers. Four to six weeks is the average length of introductory fencing courses at clubs. This could be intensified through fencing summer camps , which pack the introductory material into a shorter time. At the end of a summer camp, a person will also have a grasp on the basics.
They have been introduced to the sport. Prior to that, they would practice footwork or perhaps train with wooden sticks. At that time, patience in training was an essential component. After the introductory period, you would call someone who keeps on fencing a beginner fencer.
They know enough about the sport to continue to train. You can also just sit in on a class to see how it all works, and get a feel for the coaching techniques and styles. Start going to group classes. Throw yourself into it, but be sure to pay attention to the style of the classes, be respectful and listen. Fencing is a combination of physical skill and mental sharpness, as well as lots of self-discipline. Be ready to really concentrate on what you are learning, which means both the theory and the practice.
The rules can be complicated so do your homework and ask about anything you are unsure of or confused by. Try to find out who the best available coach in your club is. Usually, they'll have a few hours a week in which you can fit in private lessons with them. Sometimes, this is not the case, and it will be necessary to take group lessons from that coach, if you want to take any at all.
Take them up on this if it is offered, but try to find another coach to give you private lessons as well. Part 3. 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. Get to know the essential terminology. You will need to have a solid understanding of the basic lexicon of fencing.
Attack is an offensive action, parry a defensive one. Take some time to read through a glossary of fencing terms to familiarize yourself with them. Remember that some people might use the French or Italian words. 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. Try to get an even balance of weight and be on the balls of your feet so you can move quickly. As you progress you will learn more techniques like attacking lunges.
Learn the right grip for your weapon. Before you start to learn sword techniques you have to master the grip and learn how to hold the sword properly.
There are different styles and your instructor will probably have a preference for their students. Different swords also have different grips, so you have to learn these with an instructor.
A common mistake for beginners is to hold the grip too tight. You need loose and flexible wrists. 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. Decide on your sword. Once you've got started you might want to choose to focus on one weapon which you prefer. Ultimately, it's up to you. Part 4. Find out about the equipment you need.
Fencing is a relatively equipment-heavy sport, so find out about the special protective clothing that is required as well as the swords. Some of the protective clothing for fencing differs for genders, and comes in differing right and left-handed versions. Before thinking about buying any of the equipment, do some investigations and see if you can borrow club equipment.
Use the club's equipment. Many clubs have spare equipment stores, so borrow equipment for your first few lessons, just to make sure you like the sport enough to continue. Club equipment is often old and worn thin by use, the masks unpleasant from the sweat of fencers, and the weapons bent beyond the point of recognition as a sword. This will eventually happen to your own equipment as well, but you'll get a good few years use out of everything, at the very least.
Buy your own equipment, when you're ready. Fencing equipment can be expensive. A few hundred dollars or euros, so be completely positive that you will be fencing for some time before you go out and buy it. Turns out it could be very different, the pressure of each fight and the format of a competition was great to experience, 2 of my club mates had also entered, both of whom had similar experience to me. It was great to support each other through poules, all the while hoping that we would not be forced to fight one another.
One thing I have never found wanting in fencing is sportsmanship, the respect that fencers afford one another is just a natural part of the sport. In the end, I was very happy to walk away with Silver and it left me very hungry for more. You must be logged in to post a comment. Skip to content.
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