What is fencing and where did it come from?
No doubt you will have seen Errol Flynn in action. There are many great films with superb sword fighting scenes in them (especially the pirate ones). Modern fencing is nothing like that! (Although sometimes I do wonder).
Swords were first used to slice, dice, and generally maim an opponent. Duelling with swords thus became the favoured method of settling matters of honour throughout European history. This is where modern fencing evolved from. Now it is a safe, fun sport, which is available to all. In modern fencing there are three weapons: the foil, the epee and the sabre. Each weapon employs different techniques, tactics and rules.
- The Foil
The foil developed as a practise weapon from the small sword. It is the most popular of weapons and most beginners are taught it first. It is a lightweight weapon and points are scored by placing the tip on the opponent’s target. The target is the main torso of the body including the groin. Hits made to the arms; legs and mask do not count. There are rules to foil fencing, but these are better demonstrated than written. They are easily picked up in a few weeks of fencing.
- The Epee
The Epee is similar to the foil but heavier and with a larger guard. The Epee was traditionally used as a duelling weapon. In Epee hits are made with the point, however the whole body is valid target. The rules for Epee are essentially quite simple. If you hit, you score a point, if you get hit you have a point scored against you. If you both hit at the same time, you both get awarded a point.
- The Sabre
The Sabre evolved from the cavalry sword. In sabre hits are made by cutting actions as well as by the point. The target area for the Sabre is waist up. As with foil, hits made elsewhere do not count. The rules for sabre are essentially the same as foil.
Is it safe?
It is very rare for fencers to get hurt. Most injuries that occur are typical of any sport. A good warm up and warm down is normally sufficient. A protective jacket, mask, glove and plastron are always worn. All swords have a rubber button placed on the tip. Furthermore the weapons are designed so that they will bend rather than impale. Actually, it is quite hard to hurt your opponent even if you want to. That is where pressure points come in...
Fencing and fitness
In learning the skills of fencing, one develops good co-ordination (especially hand-eye), balance and flexibility which makes fencing an ideal means of staying in shape for all ages and abilities. As with any sport, the more you put in the more you get out of it. The best fencers have to be of the fittest of athletes and have skills, which require many hours of hard training.
Wheelchair fencing
Wheelchair fencing is a major sport in disabled competitions and is competed at high levels, Britain has won medals at the Paraplegic Games. Certain disabilities prove to be of little disadvantage at fencing and those who are unable to compete in other sports find that they can fence on equal terms with able-bodies fencers.
More Information
Do you want to kill, maim and dismember? Ahhh, the Sussex University Fencing Club - Doing it with panache! (Taken from the Students' Union newspaper ' The Badger')
There are few clubs that can boast a membership that is: large, multinational, equal men : women ratio, with absolute beginners to world championship fencers - we like to cater for everyone. There are more bodies that way. You've seen Errol Flynn swinging on chandeliers clutching a rapier in one arm and a fair maiden in the other, Jedi training, the three musketeers, Highlander - well that is exactly what fencing is all about.
We teach people how to fence, then we send them on dangerous missions involving gratuitous violence, plentiful sex and expensive hi-tec gadgets. So if you are interested read on: We have two very good coaches who will train you in the way of the sword. I won't try and kid you, it's a sport where the aim is to kill your opponent. No Sussex fencer has ever died. As I said, our coaches are good. All equipment is provided. It is easier to beat someone who doesn't have a weapon, but we in the Fencing world consider that as, not the done thing. Sporting chance and all that. Having just said that, the Club motto is 'Win if you can, Lose if you must, but always cheat', stemming from the logic of 'one of us must die, I'd really rather it wasn't me'. Hence you will get hurt, you will need insurance, it isn't for the faint hearted and if you don't want to die you'll have to learn how to parry. No, we are not 'mad for it', mad gets you killed.
So, if you want to impress the ladies (and men), defend yourself against sea monsters, people with moustaches and lecturers - you know where to come. (You can also get fit, train the mind, meet thoroughly nice people, have fun and generally sit down and chat). Zorro Wannabes? - Zorro has nothing on us (a real swordsman would never have let the girl fall in to the clutches of Michael Douglas).
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