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| This page is under constant updating and is only in an early draft. |
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What is fencing? |
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Fencing is, as everyone knows, a form of single combat with swords. Fencing as a sport can be dated back to Ancient Egypt. In post medieval times it was a necessary survival skill for the gentleman of the day. We have all seen the movies depicting the good guy dueling with the bad guy and jumping over, onto, around, under and through, tables, chairs, windows, balconys, chandaliers and the rooms decor. In reality fencing is a much "quieter"sport. It has been describes as chess and athletics combined. Fencing today is done on a special area called a piste with special safety equipment to prevent the fencers getting injured, unless of course they are sabeurs in which case they seem to enjoy getting hurt. |
| The Weapons |
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There are three weapons in fencing. Epee (my favourite), Foil and Saber. Each of these weapons have different characteristics and techniques. Epee: The epee is a is a duelling weapon. The whole body (including head) is a valid target, unlike the other weapons. Also in epee we dont have "right of way", which means you can have double hits. Hits can only be made with the tip of the weapon which has a button on it for use with electrics. The epee has a larger guard than the foil and the blade is mounted off centre to help protect the outside of the arm. Foil: The foil is also a pointed weapon with a button on the tip of an electric weapon. The foil was a training weapon where fencers learned to make killing hits to the body. Therefore the target area does not include the arms, legs or head. In foil there is also right of way. Fencer A makes an offensive action by extending his arm while continously threatening his opponents target area. This fencer now has right of way, and the opponent cannot get right of way until his opponent looses it. If two hits arrive at the same time the fencer with right of way gets the point. A fencer looses right of way if he bends his arm or if his point ceases to threaten the target, or if the opponent parries, beats or in some other way displaces the target. The foils guard is smaller than the epee because the arm is not a target. The blade is also more flexable. During a foil bout using electrics the fencers wear special electric jackets which cover the valid target area and so a hit is registered with the electric box when the jacket is hit. Sabre: The sabre is a cutting weapon, though you can also hit with the tip although there is no button on the tip. The valid target area is everything except the legs. The sabre was a cavalary weapon so the best target therefore was the area above the waist which could be easily hit when your opponent was on horse back. The fencers wear electric jackets and helmets covering the valid target. Sabre has right of way similar to foil. The hit is usually a cut to the opponents target. It is this cutting action which leads to painful hits if the attacker doesnt hit properly. The sabre guard wraps around the hand to protect it. |
| Me and fencing |
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I have been fencing for nearly 6 years. I started in college (Carlow RTC). Since I left college I now fence out in a club in Stewards Sports centre in Palmerstown on Thursdays and in DIT Rathmines on Tuesday's during the college year. My fencing coach is Kevin Dunne. He specialises in epee. During the summer he goes to Australia to help some clubs over there. At the moment I am studying for my Basic Epee coaching exams under the British Academy of Fencing. Jim Perry comes over from England to supervise our training once a month, and for the beer. |
| Training |
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To become good at fencing takes alot of time and practice as with all sports. Also fencers should be careful to warm up correctly before training or fighting as it is a strenous form of exercise and it is very easy to pull a muscle. Training should be done under supervision of a properly qualified coach, though the fencer may have routines that he can practice on his own or with another fencer. As with all sports it takes practice and dedication to become good. However dont let that put you off if you are planning on taking up fencing. You can have loads of fun without ever becoming a top fencer, or even a very good one. |
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