But fencing is next best. This will be part 1 in a series of fencing tutorials. I do not know very much about this art, but I know a little and hope to learn more through these posts. :) Me and my brother Eli have resolved (with Nerf swords pointing high in the air) to fence more this year, and so far we have been nerf-fencing almost every night I don't have lots of schoolwork.
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| not my image |
Now, it's time to get serious. In our fencing class, we learned three weapons: foil, sabre, and épeé (pronouced "ep'ay").
The foil is a light weapon and it is the one beginners start out with. (That's why I'm listing it first. :D) I like the foil. It's easy to handle and it's not quite as scary as the sabre or épeé.
Target areas: Torso, abdomen, and back. Think of the area a long vest would cover. (No legs, head, or arms!)
You may notice that the handguard on the foil is not very large. That's because hands don't count either.
The foil is a jabbing weapon. This means that you cannot slash around like heroes in the movies do. If you don't touch your opponent with the point, or "button" of the foil, the touch does not count.
To score a point, you must have the right of way, which I'll explain at the end of this post.
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The sabre is a little more complicated than the above foil, but it was the favorite in our fencing class. Every time we went to grab our weapons, everyone scrambled to get a sabre before they were all gone.
Target areas: Same as foil, but with arms and head. No legs. (When we nerf-fence sabre, we don't count the head. Just thought I'd mention that. :D)
Unlike the foil, the you must use the sides of the sabre. No jabbing! You slash / cut with the sides of the weapon.
Sabre also uses right of way.
I think that the épeé is the hardest weapon to remember how to use, and personally it's probably my least favorite of the three. You can remember part of how to use it by remembering that is the most lawless weapon. If you were fencing in a real battle, épeé would most likely be used because any touch counts. Anywhere you manage to touch a person, it counts, as long as you use the point of the weapon. (It's a jabber, like the foil.) There's no right of way, either. Yes, my friends, the épeé is a dangerous game...
Target areas: Again, EVERYWHERE!
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So, What's Right of Way?
Right of way is - I think - hard to remember as well, but I'll try to explain it as best I can. Say you are fighting foil. As your opponent comes in toward you, your sword point jabs him in the stomach. Even though you may have touched him first, it does not count unless you have taken the right of way.
How do you take the right of way? You extend your arm, so instead of standing in position like this...
Now, you can take your point. But, there are a few strings attached. Your opponent can take your right of way for himself by
- Parrying your blade
- Knocking it away so it isn't pointed toward the target area
- Or get in right when you bend your arm - even a tiny bit - to make a thrust.
Of course, you can do that too, if your opponent already has right of way.
The below video is EXCELLENT and explains right of way really well, so I'd encourage you to watch it if you want to learn fencing. And it's only three minutes long!
Target areas: Same as foil, but with arms and head. No legs. (When we nerf-fence sabre, we don't count the head. Just thought I'd mention that. :D)
Unlike the foil, the you must use the sides of the sabre. No jabbing! You slash / cut with the sides of the weapon.
Sabre also uses right of way.
I think that the épeé is the hardest weapon to remember how to use, and personally it's probably my least favorite of the three. You can remember part of how to use it by remembering that is the most lawless weapon. If you were fencing in a real battle, épeé would most likely be used because any touch counts. Anywhere you manage to touch a person, it counts, as long as you use the point of the weapon. (It's a jabber, like the foil.) There's no right of way, either. Yes, my friends, the épeé is a dangerous game...
Target areas: Again, EVERYWHERE!
---
So, What's Right of Way?
Right of way is - I think - hard to remember as well, but I'll try to explain it as best I can. Say you are fighting foil. As your opponent comes in toward you, your sword point jabs him in the stomach. Even though you may have touched him first, it does not count unless you have taken the right of way.
How do you take the right of way? You extend your arm, so instead of standing in position like this...
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| huge sword, ain't it? my dad got it for Christmas :) |
You have your sword like this. Also, you must have your tip pointed at the target area.
Now, you can take your point. But, there are a few strings attached. Your opponent can take your right of way for himself by
- Parrying your blade
- Knocking it away so it isn't pointed toward the target area
- Or get in right when you bend your arm - even a tiny bit - to make a thrust.
Of course, you can do that too, if your opponent already has right of way.
The below video is EXCELLENT and explains right of way really well, so I'd encourage you to watch it if you want to learn fencing. And it's only three minutes long!
Right of Way in Foil Fencing -- powered by eHow.com
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Next time, I'll talk about posture and other equipment needed.
Love,
Ellyn
5 comments:
Can't wait to read more about it! :) Sounds interesting. ;)
Whoa...looking dangerous, Ellyn! My mom used to be a fencer, so maybe your tutorials and her advice will together will be very useful. :) I think that we even have some foils or sabres tucked away somewhere!
And I love the Nerf sword...who wouldn't? :D
Fun post Ellyn! Keep up the good fencing! :)
Love, Amber
Hey hey!!! Oh goodness, I love the Narnia movies, so swordfighting always looks incredibly fun fun fun! 'Cept, I think bow and arrows would be more more fun! Like Queen Susan!!! hehe
Love,
Manda
For your question, I got as far as "Sunset". The first series was the best, in my opinion. :)
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