Fencing 101
Physical Chess
Fencing is sometimes called physical chess: while fencers move, they must also think! Recognizing an opponent’s strategy and responding with the right move are essential. Brains often beat brawn and mental agility can count for more than physical quickness or strength.
Who Should Fence?
Anybody who wants to! There are virtually no physical limits for fencers: tall, short, young, old, men, women — an amazing range of body types populate the fencing world. There is even a vibrant wheelchair fencing community. Fencing is a really fun way to be active (very active!) and to learn new skills. Fencers learn to use their advantages and techniques to engage their opponents. Some fencers are attackers, others prefer to counter-attack, which one is you? Come try fencing, and we think you’ll enjoy it.
More Information
Go the USA Fencing website’s FENCING 101 link HERE. It’s full of information about weapons, basics of competition, Fencing for Parents, Interesting Facts, and the USA Fencing Rule Book.
Epee — Introduction and Strategy Basics
by Michael McDarby, Swords and Strategy Fencing Club and Fulton-Montgomery Community College Fencing Club
http://faculty.fmcc.suny.edu/mcdarby/pages/fencing_club/basic-epee-info-etc.htm
Is It Like Star Wars (or Pirates of the Caribbean)?
Some (not really). Real fencing is on a strip, not on a StarCruiser or in the rigging of a ship. But it’s safe! And it’s real. And you’re doing it. It beats video games, hands down (although they did usecomputer modelling of real fencers to create the Pirates of the Caribbean 3 Video game.) Lots of people think the best fencing movie ever is the Princess Bride (“my name is Inigo Montoya; you killed my father; prepare to die!”). Others say “Zorro” or “The Sea Hawk”.