sport fencing class?

[Jaron Bernstein]

Hi all,

I am a university employee, which affords, among other things, the chance to take classes for free. On such class is an introductory sport fencing class. I am now reading Capo Ferro and have a question, especially from those who know rapier and C&T sword. Would it be of any benefit to take this class (despite the obvious problems with sport fencing) for some basics or should I just work from Capo Ferro (and any additional period manuals) and try to puzzle out the rapier from the manuals?

[Allen Johnson]

there are so many differences between sport fencing and real rapier fencing that its really not even close. I originally started in sport fencing until i did homework. I still enjoy doing it every now and then, but I in no way use it as legit training for WMA. It's a fun, fast sport. But its not a good source for anything period. It may be difficult to get the WMA techniques out of your system enough to compete by their rules. I remember a few months back i visited a friend up at the Univ. of Utah fencing club and the on the very first lunge I beati it aside with my off hand and rushed in for the arm lock before I realized what I was doing. Since we were buds it was a good laugh.

[Jonathan Scott]

I'm a university student. I don't think there are any fencing "classes" here, but there is a fencing club at FSU.
I'm also wondering whether I should give fencing a go because of it being a combative sport. But I figure why not, as I'm not going to be taking it long enough to instill extremely incorrect techniques, and a lot of my friends are interested in fencing, so I'll learn lots and have fun. I will make sure I give a good speal about approaching it as more of a tool to martial arts however (and keep an open mind as to what would actually work historically). And hopefully, there will also be kendo with the fencing club. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> So that will be fun (provided I actually have any time for it...)

[Gene Tausk]

Hi Jaron:

I have never taken sport fencing (except in Phys Ed in high school) so I can't tell you if there is any benefit/drawback from that perspective.

However, it is my belief that generally any sort of physical activity can only help you. If you are just taking the class as an introduction to see what it is like, I would view it as another type of workout and go for it.


----------------------&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;gene tausk
SFS
Study Group Leader - Houston ARMA Southside

[John_Clements]

Yes, I reccommend it. It is good discipline and teaches good footwork and of course helps develop reflexes and coordination. Most importantly though, you will learn the differences and deficencies of the modern sporting form of fencing and the contrasts will be shocking.

JC

[Jaron Bernstein]

Thanks guys. It is just a 1 credit hour elective class. I think I will take it next quarter and see how it goes. While I am somewhat comfortable (albeit not overly skilled) with longsword and rondel, the rapier is very much a new experience for me, but it sure looks interesting. <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Stacy Clifford]

I'll second the recommendation. I took sport fencing in college before I ever heard of ARMA, and although it took me a while to modify my footwork to where I could do a proper traverse later on, I still use the footwork skills I first learned in sport fencing all the time as a subset of the larger body of historical footwork. Sport fencing also helps you develop a great sense of timing and distance in a high-speed situation (and it's a lot of fun). The hard part will be learning to compartmentalize the skills you can and can't use when switching back and forth between disciplines. It's no different mentally than keeping your AMA habits separate. And JC is right, seeing the differences for yourself is very enlightening.

[Stacy Clifford]

Oh yeah, I have to add: When you're sport fencing, NO FLICKING!!! That's just offensive.

[Jaron Bernstein]

What is flicking?

[Allen Johnson]

Flicking is a sport fencing tactic that is unique to the sport. Since the "blades" they use are so flimsy light and super flexible, you are able to almost whip your arm out and with a quick jerk back motion, cause your blade to "flick" into a bend and strike your opponent around his guard or on their back. Obviously, with period weapons and the presence of a real blade, this could never happen.