Basic
drills and concepts that form the foundation of proper fencing.
Posture:
Should be balanced and relaxed.
Fencer must be able to assume proper posture at any time.
Key points: Feet are at 90 degrees, shoulder width apart.
Sword arm has the forearm level with the ground.
Both heels are on the line, as well as the leading knee.
Tip of leading shoe should be visible in front of leading knee.
Sword arm has elbow a fist width away from chest with elbow on the line, wrist off the line, fingertips touching the line. (Hand is held with thumb to the outside line, 1
or 11 o’ clock. Fingers straight in line as extensions from the back of the hand)
The weight is distributed evenly on both legs 50/50.
Should be balanced and relaxed.
Fencer must be able to assume proper posture at any time.
Key points: Feet are at 90 degrees, shoulder width apart.
Sword arm has the forearm level with the ground.
Both heels are on the line, as well as the leading knee.
Tip of leading shoe should be visible in front of leading knee.
Sword arm has elbow a fist width away from chest with elbow on the line, wrist off the line, fingertips touching the line. (Hand is held with thumb to the outside line, 1
or 11 o’ clock. Fingers straight in line as extensions from the back of the hand)
The weight is distributed evenly on both legs 50/50.
Footwork:
Advance starts with leading foot, the rear foot is pulled in as soon as the front one touches the ground. The distance between the feet remains constant after each step. Thus posture before and after the step must be identical with no deviation in height of posture or distance between feet.
The body should not lean forward or backward and rocking and swaying leads to bad form and weak defence. Movement comes from the knees downwards, there is little to no movement from the rest of the body.
Retreat starts with the rear foot and ends with the front foot being pulled in as the rear foot touches the ground.
Steps should not become hops or short leaps, constant flowing movement that is smooth, yet fast and crisp. No wasted movements should be allowed as movement comes from the legs below the knee alone. As stated, posture before and after stepping remains unchanged. Fencer should be able to perform these drills blindfolded.
Advance starts with leading foot, the rear foot is pulled in as soon as the front one touches the ground. The distance between the feet remains constant after each step. Thus posture before and after the step must be identical with no deviation in height of posture or distance between feet.
The body should not lean forward or backward and rocking and swaying leads to bad form and weak defence. Movement comes from the knees downwards, there is little to no movement from the rest of the body.
Retreat starts with the rear foot and ends with the front foot being pulled in as the rear foot touches the ground.
Steps should not become hops or short leaps, constant flowing movement that is smooth, yet fast and crisp. No wasted movements should be allowed as movement comes from the legs below the knee alone. As stated, posture before and after stepping remains unchanged. Fencer should be able to perform these drills blindfolded.
Deviation from the line during advance and retreat results
from poor posture, especially regarding the orientation of the leading
knee. Blindfolded advance and retreat
exercises reveal these tendencies early.
The three steps:
These are Normal, Passive and Firm.
With the passive step the foot that is extended first is straightened fully with absolutely no other movement from the entire body. Only as the leading foot touches the ground does the other foot pull in, moving the body in the direction of the step.
With the firm step there are two actions that must be executed at the same time. Failure to do so will result in a weak approach or retreat and bad form and posture. The first leg to move is shot out straight to full extension in a strong kicking action and while the leading foot is still off the ground, the other leg straightens out horizontally without altering the height of posture. As the leading foot touches the ground, the other foot is drawn in crisply and quickly, resulting in an accelerated step. The firm step is always preceded by the extension of the arm, regardless of it being advance or retreat. The arm is only retracted after the recovery.
These are Normal, Passive and Firm.
With the passive step the foot that is extended first is straightened fully with absolutely no other movement from the entire body. Only as the leading foot touches the ground does the other foot pull in, moving the body in the direction of the step.
With the firm step there are two actions that must be executed at the same time. Failure to do so will result in a weak approach or retreat and bad form and posture. The first leg to move is shot out straight to full extension in a strong kicking action and while the leading foot is still off the ground, the other leg straightens out horizontally without altering the height of posture. As the leading foot touches the ground, the other foot is drawn in crisply and quickly, resulting in an accelerated step. The firm step is always preceded by the extension of the arm, regardless of it being advance or retreat. The arm is only retracted after the recovery.
Distance:
The ability to maintain a constant distance between oneself and the partner.
This means that movement is responsive, the leading partner simply performing steps either stipulated or arbitrarily, while the other must maintain the distance. After each step the distance must be the same as in the beginning. Later the partner will give signals for the other to extend and hit the palm. The signal is given with a straight arm to prevent inconsistencies.
At first the extension as delivered as purely an arm movement, but later it is delivered with the firm step.
Extension:
Extension of the arm is not pushed from the shoulder, but delivered as though the arm is being pulled from the fingertips.
Extended arm has the wrist above the shoulder, thumb still at the proper angle and the fingertips pointing downward. Shoulder and fingertips are on the line while the elbow and wrist are now off the line. Extensions are delivered along the line of the guard the fencer was in.
After extension, the arm is retracted into the exact position it was in prior to the extension.
There should be no wasted movement besides the extension and the recovery to the guard.
The fencer must be able to deliver extension from both lines with equal ease, also during target drills.
Fencer must later be able to change the guard and follow it with immediate extension along the new line.
Extension of the arm is not pushed from the shoulder, but delivered as though the arm is being pulled from the fingertips.
Extended arm has the wrist above the shoulder, thumb still at the proper angle and the fingertips pointing downward. Shoulder and fingertips are on the line while the elbow and wrist are now off the line. Extensions are delivered along the line of the guard the fencer was in.
After extension, the arm is retracted into the exact position it was in prior to the extension.
There should be no wasted movement besides the extension and the recovery to the guard.
The fencer must be able to deliver extension from both lines with equal ease, also during target drills.
Fencer must later be able to change the guard and follow it with immediate extension along the new line.
Blade control:
Holding the weapon: Be sure to grip the weapon correctly at all times.
The index finger and thumb control the movement while the other fingers merely assist in holding the grip securely.
Grip firmly, yet not hard.
Practice the ability to flex blade properly on impact. There is never any excuse for inability to control blade flexion.
The student must learn the concept of engagement of blades in conjunction with the guards. The disengagement preceding the extension is learned. Disengagement is the changing of the line from outside the partner’s guard to inside it to access the open target. This movement must be small and crisp.
En garde with engagement with both fencers in a proper guard results in a situation of mutual safety. Thus an attack along the line of engagement will result in deflexion of the opponent’s blade and the opening of a line for the defender to extend into.
This concept is later taught as parry and riposte drills.
The attacker must first disengage to access the open target. The defender must wait for the approach of the tip until it is close to his open target before simply changing the guard to close the target. At the moment of blade contact, the arm is extended along the new line in a riposte that hits the opponent in the open target. At the completion of this drill, both fencers return to en garde with blades in engagement, paying attention not to add any wasted movements.
Holding the weapon: Be sure to grip the weapon correctly at all times.
The index finger and thumb control the movement while the other fingers merely assist in holding the grip securely.
Grip firmly, yet not hard.
Practice the ability to flex blade properly on impact. There is never any excuse for inability to control blade flexion.
The student must learn the concept of engagement of blades in conjunction with the guards. The disengagement preceding the extension is learned. Disengagement is the changing of the line from outside the partner’s guard to inside it to access the open target. This movement must be small and crisp.
En garde with engagement with both fencers in a proper guard results in a situation of mutual safety. Thus an attack along the line of engagement will result in deflexion of the opponent’s blade and the opening of a line for the defender to extend into.
This concept is later taught as parry and riposte drills.
The attacker must first disengage to access the open target. The defender must wait for the approach of the tip until it is close to his open target before simply changing the guard to close the target. At the moment of blade contact, the arm is extended along the new line in a riposte that hits the opponent in the open target. At the completion of this drill, both fencers return to en garde with blades in engagement, paying attention not to add any wasted movements.
Extension of your weapon into the open target of your
partner gives you a line of attack. The
line of attack can be either sixte or quarte.
Once you have established a line of attack, the distance between the tip
of your weapon and the target must be closed with the proper footwork.
After this the concept of closing your open target by
changing your line of extension is taught.
The change takes place after the disengagement is complete and during
the extension as you create the line of attack.
This will prevent the opponent from launching a straight attack into
your opening target.
Remember that a disengagement without a following extension results in both fencers being uncovered. If both are to change guard the initial state of mutual safety is restored.
This concept of disengagement followed by change of guard should be practiced frequently.
Remember that a disengagement without a following extension results in both fencers being uncovered. If both are to change guard the initial state of mutual safety is restored.
This concept of disengagement followed by change of guard should be practiced frequently.
The target:
The target consists of the torso, the back included. This is divided into 4 quarters, two upper and two lower. The upper outside line is Sixte, the upper inside is Quarte.
The target consists of the torso, the back included. This is divided into 4 quarters, two upper and two lower. The upper outside line is Sixte, the upper inside is Quarte.
The outside line is that of the sword arm.
The other two lower areas are dealt with later.
Your en garde position should cover one of the two upper targets, especially Sixte as it is closest to your opponent.
The other two lower areas are dealt with later.
Your en garde position should cover one of the two upper targets, especially Sixte as it is closest to your opponent.
Marius Titus
Maître
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