Post by Alena on Dec 26, 2006 20:20:21 GMT -5
Fencing is the only Western martial art. It is the art of sword fighting, and has been around for thousands of years. Modern fencing originated in the 15th century, primarily in France and Italy, although was used for fighting duels all over Europe.
There are three weapons: foil, épee, and sabre. These differ in the shape of the weapon, the target area, and the way one can make a valid touch.
All three weapons have some basic things in common. They all use the same en guarde (ready) stance, and many of the moves are the same, such as lunges and parries. All three weapons are fought on a rectangular strip or piste, measuring 2 metres by 14 metres.
Foil is a point weapon, meaning that all touches are made with the tip. The target area is the trunk (the body excluding arms, legs, and head). Points are scored using a system of right-of-way (ROW). Foil is the modern evolution of the rapier. The foil is a light weapon with a small circular guard.
Sabre is a cut-and-thrust weapon, meaning that one can score either by the tip or by slashing. Sabre was developed from calvalry fighting, just removing the horse. It uses a similar ROW system to foil, but has some marked differences to the style, such as that in sabre, the feet are not allowed to cross. The sabre has a round guard with a piece that curves down to protect the hand from cuts.
Épée is a point weapon like foil, but the entire body is valid target area and there is no ROW. Épée developed when killing people in duels was starting to become outlawed. It focused more on crippling blows, such as hand hits. The épée is a heavier weapon than the foil, and has a large circular guard.
Part of the tradition of fencing is the protocol. Before every bout, the fencers salute each other, the director (referee), and the audience. After the bout, the fencers salute each other again and shake non-weapon hands. The salute is a generally personalized movement of the weapon, often a sweep from forehead to the floor.
Penalties are given for illegal actions- everything from causing corps-à-corps (body-to-body impact) to having a faulty weapon. As infractions vary in severity, so do the sanctions, and the cards given are yellow, red, or black, depending.
Because of all the equipment involved (fencing is often done with electrical scoring equipment including wired weapons, body cords, and scoring boxes), one can be an armour in addition to, or instead of, fencing. This can be a way for someone to get involved in the fencing community without actually fencing. One can also study to be a director.
Injuries are common but generally minor. There have been very few deaths in fencing, which mostly result from faulty equipment. Injuries usually range from bruises to sprains.
Fencing is known as "physical chess" due to its mental aspects. It is as much a thinking game as a physical game, and strategy and efficency is more important than just getting on the strip and fighting.
A very possible weakness of fencing is that one will become lopsided, because it is a very one-sided sport. This can be avoided by training with both hands or by cross-training with another sport.
Modern fencers come from many countries, from Europe to North and South America, Africa to Asia to Australia. Countries usually have their own national governing body for fencing (in the US, for example, we have the USFA, the United States Fencing Association), but all are governed by the FIE, the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (French for International Federation of Fencing).
Fencing is a fun sport that can be practiced by almost anyone, of any body type, any age. There is even wheelchair fencing, for those who use wheelchairs in their everyday lives as well as for able-bodied people. There are fencing clubs and teams in many schools as well as clubs out in the public community. By choosing where to fence, people can participate in any level, from a beginner class, to just practicing at the club, to club competitions, competing against other schools/clubs, to fencing at the national and international levels. Fencing has something to offer almost everyone.
by Jedi Archivist Kethrim
There are three weapons: foil, épee, and sabre. These differ in the shape of the weapon, the target area, and the way one can make a valid touch.
All three weapons have some basic things in common. They all use the same en guarde (ready) stance, and many of the moves are the same, such as lunges and parries. All three weapons are fought on a rectangular strip or piste, measuring 2 metres by 14 metres.
Foil is a point weapon, meaning that all touches are made with the tip. The target area is the trunk (the body excluding arms, legs, and head). Points are scored using a system of right-of-way (ROW). Foil is the modern evolution of the rapier. The foil is a light weapon with a small circular guard.
Sabre is a cut-and-thrust weapon, meaning that one can score either by the tip or by slashing. Sabre was developed from calvalry fighting, just removing the horse. It uses a similar ROW system to foil, but has some marked differences to the style, such as that in sabre, the feet are not allowed to cross. The sabre has a round guard with a piece that curves down to protect the hand from cuts.
Épée is a point weapon like foil, but the entire body is valid target area and there is no ROW. Épée developed when killing people in duels was starting to become outlawed. It focused more on crippling blows, such as hand hits. The épée is a heavier weapon than the foil, and has a large circular guard.
Part of the tradition of fencing is the protocol. Before every bout, the fencers salute each other, the director (referee), and the audience. After the bout, the fencers salute each other again and shake non-weapon hands. The salute is a generally personalized movement of the weapon, often a sweep from forehead to the floor.
Penalties are given for illegal actions- everything from causing corps-à-corps (body-to-body impact) to having a faulty weapon. As infractions vary in severity, so do the sanctions, and the cards given are yellow, red, or black, depending.
Because of all the equipment involved (fencing is often done with electrical scoring equipment including wired weapons, body cords, and scoring boxes), one can be an armour in addition to, or instead of, fencing. This can be a way for someone to get involved in the fencing community without actually fencing. One can also study to be a director.
Injuries are common but generally minor. There have been very few deaths in fencing, which mostly result from faulty equipment. Injuries usually range from bruises to sprains.
Fencing is known as "physical chess" due to its mental aspects. It is as much a thinking game as a physical game, and strategy and efficency is more important than just getting on the strip and fighting.
A very possible weakness of fencing is that one will become lopsided, because it is a very one-sided sport. This can be avoided by training with both hands or by cross-training with another sport.
Modern fencers come from many countries, from Europe to North and South America, Africa to Asia to Australia. Countries usually have their own national governing body for fencing (in the US, for example, we have the USFA, the United States Fencing Association), but all are governed by the FIE, the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (French for International Federation of Fencing).
Fencing is a fun sport that can be practiced by almost anyone, of any body type, any age. There is even wheelchair fencing, for those who use wheelchairs in their everyday lives as well as for able-bodied people. There are fencing clubs and teams in many schools as well as clubs out in the public community. By choosing where to fence, people can participate in any level, from a beginner class, to just practicing at the club, to club competitions, competing against other schools/clubs, to fencing at the national and international levels. Fencing has something to offer almost everyone.
by Jedi Archivist Kethrim