Lesson 1: Intro and footwork through lunge
Everything Facilitates the Next Touch
Introduction
There are 3 weapons that are used in "Modern fencing", i.e.
the kind of fencing competed in the Olympics.
Foil
Generally based upon dueling to the death, the weapon and rules are mainly
derived from the French school. It is a point only weapon which has
the "right of way rule". The valid target area is in white below.
Epee
Generally based upon dueling to first blood, the weapons and rules are mainly
derived from the French school. It is a point only weapon which has
no "right of way rule". The valid target area is in white below.
Sabre
A
Loosely based upon the calvary sabre, the weapons and rules are mainly
derived from the Hungarian school. It is a point and cutting weapon
which has the "right of way" rule. The valid target area is in white
below.
In this class we teach foil fencing. Most of the fencers that I know
of (including myself) learned foil first and then branched out into
other weapons later. I understand that there are several reasons
for this (foil skills translate more easily to other weapons
the vice-versa, foil is the most restrictive rules wise, etc).
I was quite happy learning foil first, so, in this case, we will let
tradition stand and do foil :-)
Warmup
- Jumping jacks - just a few minutes to get arms and legs warm
- Neck rolls - note: don't roll back! It is bad for your neck.
- Arm circles - both ways, getting bigger
- Arms circles - big, arms going opposite ways (I like this one since I
can do it :-)
- Hip bends
- Partner stretches - get to know people in the club! :-)
- Ham strings - partner is behind you and assisting
- Right-left ham strings - partner is to the side and assisting
- Butterfly's - partner is in front of you and assisting, partner
also provides resistance
Lesson 1
- First position
- Feet at right angle
- Weapon foot in front
- En Garde
- Weight centered
- Legs bent
- Advance
- Done in 2 phases
- Front foot forward, about 1 foot, onto heel
- Back foot comes forward and ball of front foot drops
- Balance important throughout motion
- After motion done should end up back En Garde
- Retreat
- Work on the above using drills
- Lunge
- Advance where back foot stays in place
- Always extend arm first
- Do not lean over front leg, keep body upright
- Throw off weapon arm back as you lunge, pull forward
as you recover
- Work with lunge using drills
- And now, finally, you get a foil!!
- Red for right handed fencers
- Yellow for left handed fencers
- Hold by sides
- Hold with "bump" down in your palm
Drills
- 1 line drills
- Say footwork
- Follow the leader
- March across the gym
- 2 line drills
- Say footwork
- Say numbers 1=advance,2=retreat,3=extend,4=lunge
- With switching sides in the middle
- With rope in hand
- With mask in hand (fun)
- Foil drills
- The ever famous lunge against wall
- Catch glove while lunging against wall(fun)
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redrod@glue.umd.edu
Last modified: Wed Dec 4 20:24:09 1996