| An Introduction to Fencing |
Mr. Michael C. Heggen, Instructor
Class Syllabus
You will be learning primarily recreational foil fencing in this
class. If you decide to fence competitively or to learn one of the other two
weapons, the knowledge you gain here will transfer very well. In the latter
portion of this class,
you will be introduced to the basic concepts of competitive fencing.
Technical
Basic terminology
Basic offensive and defensive maneuvers
Physical
Form, balance, and movement
Fencing exercises and drills
Coordination of hands, eyes, and feet
Psycho-social
Interaction between fencers
Self-control and identity development
Sportsmanship
Class meetings will take the following form:
Discussion
Review of what we have learned so far
Explanation of new concepts
Explanation of new movements
Demonstration
Independently (each part of the movement isolated)
In context (the entire movement at once)
Group drill
Review of previously learned movements
Drill of previously learned movements
Second demonstration of new movements
Drill of new movements
Paired drill
Directed practice
Undirected practice
Sparring
(after the sixth week)
Free play
Bouting (after the seventh week)
Introduction to competition
|
|
Footwork |
Bladework |
Development |
|
Week 1 |
The Guard |
Hand grip |
Form and Balance |
| Expectations |
Advance (1,2 rhythm) |
The Guard (central) |
Rhythm |
| Why are you here? |
Retreat (1,2 rhythm) |
Extend/Recover |
Extension distance/Maintaining distance |
| History (medieval) |
|
|
Self-control |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 2 |
Lunge |
The Touch |
Target Area |
| History (to 1950) |
Recover from lunge |
Quarte(4)/Sixte(6) |
Line (inside/outside) |
| |
Advance-Lunge (1,2,3 rhythm) |
Guard in Sixte |
Cooperation
Breathing
Lunge/Adv. Lunge dist. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 3 |
Pattinando (1-&-2 rhythm) |
Riposte |
Sneaking distance |
| History (to present) |
Jump Advance |
Parry & Retreat |
Tempo |
| |
|
|
Interaction |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 4 |
Jump Advance-Lunge (1,2 rhythm) |
Direct vs. Indirect |
Right-of-way |
| |
Jump Retreat (1,2 rhythm) |
Feint/Disengage |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 5 |
Cross Retreat (1,2 rhythm) |
Septime(7) Parry |
Line (high/low) |
| |
Leap Back (1,2 rhythm) |
Octave(8) Parry |
Mind Games |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 6 |
Ballestra (1,2 rhythm) |
Circle Parries |
Etiquette |
| |
|
|
Sparring |
|
|
|
|
| Week 7 |
Forward Recovery |
Doublé |
Sparring |
| |
|
|
Your Opponent |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 8 |
Double Lunge (1,2,3 rhythm) |
Beat Attacks |
Intro. to Judging |
| |
|
Beat Parries |
Bouting |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 9 |
Advance Check (1,2 rhythm) |
Beat Feint |
Sparring & Bouting |
| |
|
Beat Change |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 10 |
Cross Advance (1,2 rhythm) |
Invitation/Graze |
Sparring & Bouting |
| |
Retreat Check (1,2 rhythm) |
Tierce(3) Parry |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 11 |
Fleché |
Press/Bind |
Sparring & Bouting |
| |
|
Seconde(2) Parry |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 12 |
Stop Thrusts |
Envelopment |
Sparring & Bouting |
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 13 |
Refinement |
Coupé |
Sparring & Bouting |
| |
|
Prime(1) Parry |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Week 14 |
Refinement |
Quinte(5) Parry |
Sparring & Bouting |
|
|
|
|
Guidelines for Sparring
- Masks, jackets, and gloves must be worn.
- Observe correct form and right-of-way.
- Fence lightly. Do not get carried away.
- Discuss the action after each touch with your partner.
- Do not be overly concerned about scoring. Sparring is practice/play, not
competition.
- Practice good sportsmanship and fencing etiquette.
- Do not disturb individual lessons being conducted.
- Do not take yourself too seriously. Recreational fencing is supposed to be
enjoyable.
- Remember that sparring is recreational, not competitive, fencing. It is the
complete opposite of bouting.
Page created 12/23/99.
Last updated 11/22/03 at 16:48.
|
