Équipements électroniques

Electronic Equipment

This post explains the use of electronic fencing equipment, and how they work.

Fencing is a fast sport, and with the rapid movements and constant whirring of blades, it takes a keen eye to follow the bouts and judge them correctly. Luckily for referees, the invention of electronic scoring equipment came about and is now used in tournaments, as well as national competitions, including the Olympics.

Equipment

Body cords - in a bout, each fencer is connected to a body cord 

that runs up through their jacket, out the sleeve of their sword arm, and to the special plug on the inside of the bell guard of the electric weapon. The other end of the cord is attached to the reel that runs to an anchor at either end of the strip, which runs back to the scoring machine located parallel to the center of the strip. [1]

Scoring machine - the machine has four lights - two white lights and one colored light for each fencer. When a touch ensues, a buzzer goes off and a light lights up on the side of the fencer who was touched. If both lights go off at the same time, the referee determines who touched first, 

or in the case of foil and sabre, who had right of way. [1]

Electric Scoring

Foil

For foil, the fencer must wear a lamé made of a metallic material that acts as a conductor for an electrical current. The tip of the electric foil has a button on the end so that when a certain amount of force (0.1lb) is applied, the button depresses, activating the current. When a touch lands on an opponent's lamé the scoring machine lights up, indicating a valid hit. If the touch was off-target (not on the lamé), the scoring machine would light up white, indicating an invalid hit. [1]

Épée

For épée there is an open circuit set up by the system, which is closed when a touch is landed. If the tip touches the opponent's bell guard or the piste nothing happens, but otherwise when a touch is landed the buzzer goes off and a colored light lights up, as there are no off-target hits in épée. [1]

Sabre

As all hits above the waist are valid in sabre, the fencer must wear a lamé that covers the torso and arms, as well as a metal mask and a metal glove. The electric system is a closed circuit like foil, but as sabre is a slashing weapon the entire blade is hot and the target lamé closes the circuit connection. The scoring is the same as for foil, except that off-target hits don't register on the machine. [1]

New modern, wireless scoring systems now eliminate the need for the constant tug of the reel connecting to the body cord, as a wireless receiver-pack was created that is worn on the back of the fencer's waist, about the size of a cigarette pack. [1]

Sources

1. How Fencing Equipment Works. howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2013-12-3.

Travail de lame

Blade Work

In this post I mention the different kinds of blade work used in fencing, and their uses.

Perhaps the most notable part of fencing, the use of blades sets the sport apart from the rest. Blade work can be defined as actions of a weapon's blade, stemming from the the grip from the fencer's fingers, wrist, arm, and body. For the most part the weapon is advanced and withdrawn from the target by the fencer's feet, with a few exceptions.

Blade Work Techniques

1) The Straight Thrust
The precursor of all blade actions, the thrust is the offensive presentation of the weapon to an opponent using only the extension of the arm as the delivery system, within striking or touch range to be effective. [1]

2) The Four Takes Of The Iron
             1) The Bind - semi-circular diagonal transfers, the principle ones are six, four, seven, and
                       eight, but two, three, five, and one can work just as well.
             2) The Cross - a mini-bind, usually taken from six, moving the blade down to eight. A
                        vertical semi-circular transfer.
             3) The Envelopment - a very small, tight motion, where the fencer moves the tip of their
                         blade around the opponent's bell guard, at the same time trapping/enveloping their
                          blade. Can be either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the location of the
                         opponent's blade. The main focus is to sweep the opponent's blade away from the
                          fencer's target area.
             4) The Opposition - the blade is used to shove aside the opponent's blade, can be taken in
                          six, four, seven, and eight. [1]

3) The Four Attacks Of The Iron
             1) The Beat - to beat or strike the opponent's blade, should be taken with the center of the
                          blade, which is the strongest part.
              2) The Expulsion - the center of the fencer's blade lies across the weak part of the
                          opponent's blade, and suddenly with great force snaps the opponent's blade downwards,
                          wrenching their wrist in a disarm.
               3) The Glide - when the fencer's blade runs quickly and lightly along the opponent's blade,
                           landing a touch in the same line.
               4) The Press - an attempt to push the opponent's blade aside or out of line. [1]

4) The Disengagement
An attack where the blade travels from one line to another, passing under the opponent's blade.
                Derobement - a type of disengage that is used to evade any of the takings of the iron, or
                           attacks of the iron.
                Trompement - a type of disengage that is used to evade an attempted parry. [1]

5) The Cut Over
A simple, indirect attack executed by moving the tip of the blade from one line to the opposite line over the top of the opponent's blade. [1]


Sources

1. Essentials of Fencing Technique. acfencers.tripod.com. Retrieved 2013-12-3.

Avantages pour la santé de l'escrime

Health benefits of Fencing

Many people who think about fencing probably don't realize how demanding the sport can be on the body. Fencing takes an incredible amount of concentration, stamina, and strength. The sport has a wide variety of health benefits, both physically and mentally, to any of its participants who take the sport seriously.

Cardiovascular workout:

Each fencing session is a full-body workout demanding movement from your feet all the way up to your shoulders. It's very fast-paced with intense explosive movements and even quicker counterattacks. In a short period of time, fencers can really get their hearts pumping, so it's not a surprise that fencing is a great cardiovascular exercise. [1] During an intense cardiovascular exercise, such as fencing, the oxygen levels in your blood rise. [2] As your heart rate increases blood vessels in the body widen, which then carries your oxygen-rich blood to your muscles and removes waste. [2] With all the benefits of a cardiovascular exercise, fencing is a workout that strengthens the heart and lungs. [1]

Stamina workout:

Fencing helps develop endurance, muscle strength, and coordination. [1] The positions and movement in fencing must be precise. During a match, a fencer's legs and arms are constantly moving. A fencer’s strength and muscle endurance are extremely vital in order to keep that precision throughout the match. If a fencer starts to become fatigued during a match their precision and reactions will start to slow.  

Mental workout:

Fencing is a workout for the mind as well as the body and can help develop problem-solving skills. [2]  It's referred to as a physical chess game because of the logic and strategy behind the movements. [1] During a match, fencers must make split-second decisions to try to outwit their opponent. There is no repetitive pattern in fencing because fencers have their own unique style, so the brain must constantly be thinking and looking for openings while reacting to each attack. [2]

Hello, my name is Briana, author of http://curiousaboutpaleodiet.wordpress.com/.

 A big thank you Megan, who was kind enough to let me guest blog for her today over the various health benefits of fencing! I hope everyone found this post helpful!

Sources

1. The Health Benefits of Fencing. livinghealthy360.com. Retrieved 2013-11-21.

2. HelathBenefits (Sic). fencingforfitness.com. Retrieved 2013-11-21.

La deuxième interview

The Second Interview

For this next post, Elizabeth Kensinger - one of the older fencers in the club - was kind enough to let me interview her in order to gain insight into a more experienced fencer's view on the sport.
Here are her answers:

1) How long have you been fencing, and what made you start in the first place?

I have been fencing seriously since October last year. I started my freshman year - all the way back in September of 2010 - but had to quit due to my weird commuter schedule.

2) What is your weapon of choice, and why?

I prefer épée and have been fencing that weapon since January this year. I will fence foil every so once in a while. I tried sabre but it's really not my thing! Great to watch, though. Épée strategy just clicks with me, and I like the opportunity the weapon rules provide for precise touches, like the wrist and foot.

3) What do you like most about the training?

I get a lot of satisfaction from that I get out of training - of course, I'm usually not happy when I'm doing it! Conditioning helps build muscle, increases your stamina, and will help make you faster. Drills develop muscle memory, so your reaction times are faster, your parries smaller, and your point control is better.

4) Have you been to any of the tournaments, and if so what's your favorite part about them?

I've been competing in tournaments since January of this year, which makes three. I also spectated during a tournament in the fall last year, which I highly recommend. Tournaments are a great opportunity to watch and compete against other fencers, which broadens your skill sets. Plus, you get to participate as a group and cheer on your teammates! I like to photograph during the tournaments as well, when I'm not on the strip.

5) What parry do you tend to use the most and why?

As an épéeist, I do a lot of parry 6/8 and circle 6/8. My parry seven is so weak! Since I'm short most people aren't making lowline attacks, so they're somewhat out of practice. Parry 6 is definitely my bread and butter.

6) Do you adjust your fencing style when fencing certain opponents, or generally just fence them all the same?

I definitely adjust to my opponent! That's what fencing is all about. You figure out what your opponent's strength and weaknesses are, then you develop a strategy to counter them. This is why fencing many people is so important; you are forced to develop a wide skill set.

7) In your opinion, what is the most important thing to practice?

It's difficult to say what the single most important thing to practice is because good fencers have to rely on a variety of skills. Being weak in any area can be easily exploited by your opponent, so it's important to vary your drills and practices. Keep in practice with the basics, like footwork. Even the Olympians do it! Your parries may be perfect, your attacks perfect, good strategy, but poor footwork will sink you.

8) What do you think the most important thing to remember when fencing your preferred weapon is?

Épée is difficult because though you have the whole body as target area, you're not protected by right of way. For short people like me, that means it's especially important to control distance, to be able to close distance quickly, and to be able to take control of your opponent's blade. I tend to be much more defensive because of this; it is easy for my opponent to counterattack me if I am not careful. This is just my technique, however-- I've seen quite successful short people who fence aggressively.

9) Do you own your own equipment, and would you recommend beginners getting their own?

I do own my own equipment, which I actually purchased very recently. I caution most new people to hold off on buying equipment because they simply don't know what they want or need, and they may not stick around. If you're committed to continue fencing an you know it's still right for you, do your research before you buy. Get actual advice from others and try our their equipment. You'll get a better feel for what kind of grip and blade work best for your style, what masks fit best, and the like.

10) What advice would you give someone just starting out in fencing?

The best advice I can give a new person to the sport is that it is as much of a mental game as it is a physical one - or even more. I notice that on days when I don't feel very confident in my capabilities, I don't fence as well. Uncertainty and fear will destroy your game - just committing to your attack will make your lunge longer and faster. Negative thoughts cloud your judgment and make it more difficult to notice small tells and make quick decisions. So it really is all about loosening up and having fun with your bouts. Your opponent will really appreciate it, too.

L'interview

The Interview

I recently sat down with my friend Dante and asked him his opinion on some fencing questions, so hopefully this lends you a bit more insight into fencing. Enjoy.




Record and upload audio >>

Jeu de jambes

Footwork

In this post I mention the different kinds of footwork used in fencing, and their uses.

One of the most essential disciplines in fencing aside from blade work, footwork is the art of moving the feet to achieve advances, retreats, and different attacks in fencing. Footwork also works to maintain the centered balance of the fencer, as well as controlled movement.

The constant drilling of footwork exercises helps the fencer's movement to become fluid and to center their weight so that constant changes in the tempo of their actions won't throw them off balance.

Footwork Techniques

1) The On Guard Position
All techniques must start in the same On Guard (En Guarde - French) position. This is where the fencer's center of balance places their body weight evenly over both feet. Both feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the front foot facing forward, and the back foot turned to the side, perpendicular to the front.  
                Foil - It is advised to have the back foot turned forwards slightly, as that allows for more rapid advances and retreats.
               Épée - The same is true for épée, although the stance should be more upright, as it presents a less-immediate target to the opponent.
                Sabre - The same as foil, only with the body weight slightly shifted to the back foot, allowing for a more rapid advance. [1]

2) The simple advance and retreat
On the advance, the front foot leads followed by the back foot, and on the retreat the back foot leads followed by the front foot. The shoulder-width spacing between the feet should be maintained with every movement. For the advance the front foot will initially land on the heel, then the back foot will land either flat or on the ball of the foot, just as the toe of the front foot touches the ground. The opposite is true for the retreat. [1]

3) Crossover forward/ Crossover backward
In the crossover forward the back foot is brought in front of the front foot, then what was the front foot is brought back to the front in its original position.
In the crossover backward, the front foot is brought behind the back foot, and then the back foot moves back into its original position. [1]

4) The Check Step
The check step/ check, is an effective way to confuse the opponent. On the advance check step the fencer takes a half-step forward with the front foot, indicating an advance, then quickly takes a full step back.
On the retreat check step the back foot takes a half-step backwards, indicating a retreat, then quickly takes a full step forwards. [1]

5) Gaining on the Lunge
This refers to gaining ground before executing a lunge. The back foot is brought up to touch the front foot, making sure the opponent notices the action, before preforming a full lunge. This technique can result in two to three feet being gained, disrupting the tempo and cadence of the bout. [1]

6) Front Foot Withdrawal/ Reassemblement
Characterized as being a short retreat, it is preformed by moving the front foot back until it touches the back foot, generally followed by a reverse lunge. [1]

7) The Jump Lunge
The focus of the jump lunge is more forward acceleration than elevation, generated by the front foot with a kicking action. [1]

8) The Jump Backward
A reverse jump lunge with a backward momentum generated by the back foot with a backwards kicking action. It's a quick way to evade an attack. [1]

9) The Lunge
The quickest and most effective available attack to a fencer. First a thrust is executed, where the fencer extends their sword in the direction of the opponent. The front foot then lifts from the strip and kicks forward as the back foot propels the body in a forward motion and locks straight, with the inside of the foot resting on the strip. The non-sword hand is then thrown back, resting parallel to the back leg as a counter balance. [1]

10) The Flash Attack
Varies depending on the dominant hand of the fencer, the flash attack begins with a thrust from the blade, while at the same time swinging the back leg around the front leg, throwing the weight of the body forward. The back leg continues until it's well in front of the front leg, and the blade then strikes its target. [1]


For more advanced techniques there can be multiple footwork actions to one blade action, but techniques such as that must first be taught slowly, before being brought up to fencing speed.


Sources

1. Essentials of Fencing Technique. acfencers.tripod.com. Retrieved 2013-11-14.

La Préparation

The Preparation

This post will discuss the different forms of preparation a fencer should take before engaging in the sport.

As with any sport, fencing requires a certain amount of preparedness that should be practiced initially, before the fencer even picks up their blade. There are three different types of preparation - mental, physical, and tactical. Taking into consideration each step of each type of preparation will aid fencers in their strife to become the best they can be at the sport.
Below I have listed the steps necessary to each of the types of preparation.

Mental Preparation

- includes the development of reasoning skills such as logic, strategy, tactics, and self-control.

Fencing tactics - the proper application of fencing techniques with precision to score touches and not be scored against. Takes note of timing and distance between an opponent, and consistently introduces variety to foot and blade work actions and responses. [1]

Observation - having an instinctual knowledge of an opponent's potential actions and responses is important to successful fencing. The ability to discern the personality type of the opponent has been proved to better predict their actions, so observation is key for this idea. [1]

Motivation - the drive associated with personal values and needs that stimulate an individual to specific sets of activities to achieve a goal/set of goals.
           Positive motivation - based upon a positive or desirable reward compensation.
           Negative motivation - has no value regarding athletic achievements.
           Realistic goal-setting - both short and long term goals should be placed for practices or
                                            competitions to motivate the athlete to work to achieve the goals. [1]

Games - logic-based games such as chess my also have a positive effect on fencers. [1]

Physical Preparation

- includes participation in sports that promote aerobic capabilities, physical strength enhancement, stamina promotion, and hand-eye coordination. [1]

Pre-season - before a fencing season starts, it is important to keep up physical prowess by doing activities that promote speed, endurance, flexibility, agility, and power. Should also include review of basic fencing footwork and blade work, and practical application of fencing actions as they apply to strategy and tactics should be a main focus. Individual lessons should not exceed 30 mins, and should be at least three times a week. [1]

Competition season - physical activities should include non-fencing workouts, but should be centered on fencing. Individual goals are then set for the season. [1]


Tactical Actions

- the proper application of fencing techniques with precision to score touches, and not be scored against. Basically a combination of both mental and physical traits, fencers have to first understand their opponent, before deciding the best way to attack them, and what the outcome will be. [1]

Plan - fencing champions already have plans in place as they approach the strip, they are trained to follow through with a series of strategy-based actions to provide them with necessary information about their opponent. These actions are called reconnaissance, or exploratory moves, and include: attacks, false attacks, feints, changes in timing, footwork variations, parry riposte exchanges, body evasions or displacements, invitations, and responses to second intention actions. [1]

Distractions - used to hinder an opponent's game, include: point-in-line, changes in footwork tempo, conversation, blade work and footwork combinations, ballestra, fleche, and even asking to straighten a blade or tie a shoe. [1]

Control - tactical fencers control the bout by making their opponent respond while they attack at inopportune times, while they use as little energy as possible and their opponent expends their energy resources. [1]

Second Intention Actions - a coordination of both blade and footwork to elicit a specific reaction from the opponent. A good example is the launching of a short attack with no intention of landing a touch, then waiting to parry the opponent's predictable response, and winning a point. The Second Intention is one of the most important lessons a fencer can learn. [1]

Sources

1. Essentials of Fencing Technique. acfencers.tripod.com. Retrieved 2013-11-07.

La terminologie

The Terminology

This post contains an A - Z guide on fencing terminology.

As with any sport, it's important to learn the correct terminology used in general conversation regarding the sport. An understanding of what your teammates and coaches are referring to when they say a specific word enables players to get tasks done quicker, not waste practice time with explanations, and to build an overall functioning team dynamic.

In fencing there are quite a few words that are essential to practicing the sport, a few of them being in French, so I have devised a list of just about everything you will need to know.

Fencing terminology A - Z

Advance - step forward.

Beat - a sharp tap on an opponent's blade to initiate/threaten an attack.

Black card - a card given by the referee signifying a fencer has been expelled.

Bout - a fencing match between two fencers.

Centre line - a line across the center of the piste (field of play).

Corps-a-corps - a move when two fencers are so close they're unable to use their weapons,
                                 forbidden in foil and sabre.

Counter-parry - a defensive movement where a fencer makes a circular movement around the                                                 opponent's blade and moves it away.

Disengage - breaks contact between blades, done when a fencer passes their blade under the                                          opponent's blade.

Double hit - when both fencers hit their opponent within .04 of a second of each other, only
                    counted in épée.

En garde - French for "on guard", the position fencers take before a bout begins, or after a break                                   in the action.

Engage - blade to blade contact.

Feint - a false attack designed to force an opponent into a reaction that opens the way to a real                                 attack.

Fleche - a running attack.

Hit - a point scored by a touch with the tip of the blade (or the edge of the blade in sabre) against any
          part of the opponent's body in the target area.


Lunge - the basic attack in fencing where a fencer closes the distance between an opponent by                     moving the front leg forward while the back leg remains in place and stationary.

Octave - the eighth of eight defensive positions in fencing.

One-metre penalty - a penalty where the action is moved a meter further back on the piste for the                                     offending fencer before a bout is restarted.

On-guard line - a line on each side of the center line where a fencer stands to begin or resume a                               bout after a hit has been awarded.

Parry - a defensive action where a fencer blocks an opponent's blade.

Penalty hit - a hit credited to a fencer when the opponent commits an offense after a warning.

Prime - the first of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Quarte - the fourth of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Quinte - the fifth of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Recover - to return to en guard position after lunging.

Red card - a card from the referee signifying a penalty hit has been charged against a fencer for a
                  rules violation.

Redouble - to attack an opponent a second time after the opponent fails to counterattack.

Remise - to attack again immediately after the opponent has blocked the initial attack.

Right of way - a rule to eliminate simultaneous attacks between attacks in foil and sabre by
                         allowing a referee to determine who was on the offense at that moment and
                         had "right of way" to score a point.

Riposte - an action by a fencer who just blocked an attack by the opponent with a parry.

Seconde - the second of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Septime - the seventh of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Simultaneous - a no-hit ruling when two foil or sabre fencers hit each other at the same time with
                            an attack, redouble, or remise.

Sixte - the sixth of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Stop-thrust - a sudden counterattack made by extending without lunging.

Target - the portion of an opponent's body which may be touched with a weapon to score points.

Thrust - to extend the arm and sword towards the opponent.

Tierce - the third of eight defensive positions in fencing.

Touch - a hit with the point of a weapon or a cut with the edge of the sabre, scoring a point.

Warning line - a line two meters inside the rear line warning the fencer they're nearing the end
                        of the piste.

Yellow card - a card from the referee signifying a warning has been issued to a fencer for violating a
                       rule. [1]


Sources

All definitions on this page retrieved from:
1. Fencing Equipment and History. olympic.org. Retrieved 2013-11-06.

L'équipement

The Equipment

This post contains a list of the equipment you will need to meet competition requirements, along with an approximation of their pricing, as well as an explanation on FIE and non-FIE equipment standards.

The equipment is probably the most important part of the sport, without it you're going to get a lot more bruises than you would wearing all of the protective gear, probably lose an eye from not wearing a mask, and most likely have your blade just fall off the guard because you didn't have anything to tighten it with. Therefore, using the right equipment that holds up to national standards, and is also legal in competitions, is important.


"FIE" and "non-FIE"

Equipment can be expensive, but it generally lasts a while and is relatively easy to fix. There are two different classifications of equipment - "FIE" and "non-FIE".
"FIE" stands for Federation International d"Escrime, and means that the manufacturer of that equipment sent samples to an independent testing lab, and the equipment met the standards set by the FIE and is certified. The lab testing is expensive, and therefor the certified equipment is more costly.
"Non-FIE" equipment only means that the manufacturer did not submit the equipment for testing, but it still has to meet certain standards, and is, for the most part, just as good as FIE. The United States does not require FIE gear for national and local competitions at the moment. [1]

Equipment

The mask - the most important part of the equipment, for competition it must be undamaged, and able to withstand a 14K-punch test usually conducted by armorers. A conductive bib is now required for all USA-sanctioned events in foil. Every weapon has its own mask that cannot be interchanged with others. FIE masks generally have a stronger bib, and last longer than non-FIE. [1]

Price - (Budget - High-end, non-FIE) ~ $50 - $180

Rigid breast protection - women are required to wear rigid breast protection beneath the plastron. They are generally made from either plastic or aluminum, and must cover both breasts. There is also rigid chest protection for men, and are usually a good idea for those more slight of build or bruise easily, especially when dueling épée with the stiffer blades. [1]

Price - ~$25

The plastron/underarm protector - used as a last line of defense against broken blades, the plastron is worn on the weapon arm and is made of thick padding material. FIE plastrons are usually made of tougher material, but are not required for competition, as any plastron still has to meet national standards. [1]

Price - ~$20

The jacket and knickers - the USA does not require FIE jackets or knickers (knee-length pants, not shown in picture), and most people opt for those made in stretch nylon which are more comfortable and wear well, despite the decrease in protection from FIE ones. Cotton or duck jackets are also used and are cheaper, but only last a short amount of time. There are front zip jackets and back zip jackets, front zip being the more popular, but that depends on individual preference. When purchasing a jacket, make sure to specify if you're right-handed or left-handed. For longest wear, wash jacket and knickers normally and hang dry. For national tournaments the jacket, lame, or knickers must display the last name of the wearer. [1]

                                                      Price - jacket - cotton = ~$55, nylon = ~$68 - $130
                                                                - knickers - cotton = ~$40, nylon = ~$45

Glove - the fastest-wearing piece of the uniform, can be made of synthetic, washable material, or leather. The glove should overlap the cuff of the jacket considerably, worn on weapon hand. [1]

Price - washable = ~$18






Shoes and socks - socks must be tall and cover the remainder of the leg and should overlap with the bottom of the knickers. Cross-trainer or court shoes (expensive, special fencing shoes) work best. [1]

I will get more into the electrical side of things later, but I hope this was useful in seeing how much of an investment the sport can be, but it is definitely well-worth the money.

Sources
All pictures on this post are ©2013 Megan Stevenson.

1. Owning Your Own Equipment...A Guide To Buying Fencing Gear. dominionfencing.org. Retrieved 2013-11-01.

L'histoire

The History

This post recounts the history of fencing as  sport from its' earliest known beginning.

To say the history of fencing is long would be a gross understatement. It's vast, extensive, and undocumented for the most part, making any information on the history of swordplay as a sport, other than a means of survival, coveted and rare. The act of practicing swordplay has been around since the invention of swords, but it wasn't until the last couple of centuries that it has emerged as purely a sport, with rules and regulations to accompany it. 

The invention of the different blades throughout different centuries was to basically suit the need of the wielder, as the blades then were being used as actual weapons. However, as the act of sword fighting turned to more of a sport, each of the once-lethal weapons were transformed into blunt instruments and given their own set of rules and target areas.

With the popularity of the sport and its' admittance into the Olympics, a need for a better scoring system was expressed, and electronic equipment was invented as a means to better score bouts, due to the frequency of unsure referee calls. 

I have constructed this timeline to help people get an idea of the history behind the sport, I'm sure there's a lot more to it, but this was about as much as I could find, enjoy~

Sources

Fencing. britannica.com. Retrieved 2013-10-28
A Short History of Fencing. hcs.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-28.

L'essentiel

The Basics

This post presents the basic fundamentals of fencing to alleviate some of the confusion about the sport.

Many people go into fencing knowing very little of what the sport requires, most gaining what knowledge they have from watching movies in which the actors fight with "skinny swords". Contrary to popular belief, fencing is so much more than just flinging around blades trying to stab each other - the sport has diverse equipment, specialized terms, and various rules that are imperative to know if you're going to fence.


- What Is Fencing?
"Fencing is an organised sport involving the use of the sword - épée, foil, or sabre - for attack and defense according to set movements and rules." [1]
With the development of gunpowder in the 14th century, armor became useless when faced with an onslaught of musket balls, so the practice of skillful swordplay became increasingly popular. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the act of dueling was developed into a sport, appearing in the Olympics for the first time in 1896. [2]

- Blade types
         Foil

             Blade - approx. 35 in. in length, weighs less than 1 lb, blade is flexible and rectangular, and
                          points are only scored with the tip of the blade.

             Target area - only the torso from shoulders to groin, front and back. [3]

Foil blade.
© 2013 with permission from Elizabeth Kensinger

          Épée

              Blade - approx. 35 in., weighs approx. 27 oz (heaviest blade), blade is stiffer and has a larger                                    guard to protect the hand. Points are scored with the tip of the blade.

              Target area - entire body. [3]

Epee blade.
© 2013 with permission from Elizabeth Kensinger

          Sabre

              Blade - approx. 35 in., weighs less than 1 lb, similar to the foil. Points can be scored from
                           both point, and side of the blade.

              Target area - from the bend of the hips to the top of the head, front and back. [3]

Sabre blade.
© 2013 with permission from Elizabeth Kensinger

I'll go more into the equipment used and a deeper history of the sport and blade types in my next posts, so stay tuned!


Sources
1. Fencing. britanica.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
2. Fencing Equipment and History. Olympic.org. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
3. The Cutting Edge. thecuttingedge.s5.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.

Le but

The Purpose 

Welcome to En Garde - A Fencing Blog, as the name suggests this is a blog about fencing, and will introduce new fencers to information ranging from equipment terminology and pricing to instructions on technique and footwork. 

Commencing as a project for one of my classes, this blog will feature a timeline for fencing through the ages, an interview from someone in my club who has been fencing for a number of years, and also from one who just started. There will also be podcasts talking about various related topics, and videos taken by myself of some of the different forms of parrying and footwork. I will also feature training routines for those looking for fencing-related workouts to improve balance, speed, and strength. Also, for those looking to buy equipment I will post equipment pricing comparisons, lists of the necessary equipment required, and sizing charts for protective gear. French terminology will also be mentioned and alluded to often in this blog (see header above).

Here's some information about me - my name is Megan, I am a student at The University of Texas at Dallas, and have (very) recently joined the fencing club at the university. Being so new to the sport I have created this blog to discuss my experiences with other interested people, as well as using this blog as a means of compiling my research on the sport into organized posts that others may also benefit from. 

As previously stated this blog is for a class, and therefore updates frequently. Feedback is most definitely appreciated and if you have any ideas on how I can improve this blog, or if you would like to see something featured specifically, feel free to leave a comment.