everybody fence now
Jun. 4th, 2006 06:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I was all set up to write an evangelical post about how great it is to fence, how everyone should pick up a weapon and have at it, how it's a wonderful challenge to both mind and body, a sport you can participate in your entire life without it ever getting boring, and how there are weapons and disciplines for almost every personality type.
But I won't, as I just got back from rapier/saber fencing and am quite tired. Instead I'm going to fling a pile of links at you :P Behind a cut, to spare the genuinely disinterested:
Modern/Sport Fencing:
This brief description of the 3 modern weapons (interestingly, from an Eastern martial arts site) has the best photo and tidiest overview I've found. Now when I post something here about "foil" or "saber", you'll know what I'm talking about!
U.S. Fencing Association official website - the governing body in the United States; links to almost everything including introductory materials to those new to fencing and equipment vendors, but best of all is the section/division map that will help you find a club or salle near you.
If you're not in the States, fear not: the Federation Internationale D'Escrime is the international governing body and where you want to start (though it might be easier if you're in Europe - I'm led to understand that fencing is a much more popular sport on the other side of the pond).
My home club, my summer/off season club. Mad props!
Classical Fencing (Disclaimer: I know little about the classical tradition apart from 19th c. dueling saber, so comments welcome):
Modern weapons used with a historical philosophy (greater emphasis on defense rather than offense/"scoring touches"); if you're interested in the way it was done "back in the day" (before electronic scoring), these would be some good places to check:
Wikipedia's article on classical fencing, discussing what it is and isn't.
International Masters at Arms Association, "an organization of professional teachers of Western Armed Arts. ... As teachers, we are not interested in agonistic competition, but rather in preserving the historical and martial aspects of European fencing and swordmanship, in all its aspects of true Martial Arts."
Association for Historical Fencing.
Historic: really "old skool" (15th-17th century) fencing. I favor rapier, but this group covers almost everything from longsword to 18th century smallsword and any number of weapons in between:
Mid Atlantic Society for Historical Swordsmanship (MASHS), my home historic group. Again with the props - these guys are serious scholars. Also see their links section.
Association for Renaissance Martial Arts - probably good for finding a group in your vicinity.
Miscellaneous:
I've talked to some people who are interested, but due to injury or age can't do the footwork, which in many weapons systems can be hard on the knees. Fear not: there is such an animal as wheelchair fencing. I know little about it, but the link might be a good place to start.
Woman Fencers: Experience of woman fencers in the SCA, observations and a mild rant. I have to be honest - maybe I'm just fencing good people, but I've never had anyone try to tell me girls can't fence. If someone pulls this on you, well, you're holding the sword, right? Kick their ass (or try to) :P Check out their links, particularly to "The Woman Fencer" book (been on my wish list for ages, but keeps getting shuffled to the bottom).
Discussion of the differences between modern/sport and SCA fencing.
Wikipedia's article on SCA fencing - anecdotally, it sounds like fencing within the SCA is different from any of the historic disciplines, and adherence to historical texts/scholarly approach varies widely by group/region.
Arts of Combat and Chivalry within the SCA - includes related martial arts like archery and equestrian, also many links to regional rules.
Various obsevations/suggestions:
But I won't, as I just got back from rapier/saber fencing and am quite tired. Instead I'm going to fling a pile of links at you :P Behind a cut, to spare the genuinely disinterested:
Modern/Sport Fencing:
This brief description of the 3 modern weapons (interestingly, from an Eastern martial arts site) has the best photo and tidiest overview I've found. Now when I post something here about "foil" or "saber", you'll know what I'm talking about!
U.S. Fencing Association official website - the governing body in the United States; links to almost everything including introductory materials to those new to fencing and equipment vendors, but best of all is the section/division map that will help you find a club or salle near you.
If you're not in the States, fear not: the Federation Internationale D'Escrime is the international governing body and where you want to start (though it might be easier if you're in Europe - I'm led to understand that fencing is a much more popular sport on the other side of the pond).
My home club, my summer/off season club. Mad props!
Classical Fencing (Disclaimer: I know little about the classical tradition apart from 19th c. dueling saber, so comments welcome):
Modern weapons used with a historical philosophy (greater emphasis on defense rather than offense/"scoring touches"); if you're interested in the way it was done "back in the day" (before electronic scoring), these would be some good places to check:
Wikipedia's article on classical fencing, discussing what it is and isn't.
International Masters at Arms Association, "an organization of professional teachers of Western Armed Arts. ... As teachers, we are not interested in agonistic competition, but rather in preserving the historical and martial aspects of European fencing and swordmanship, in all its aspects of true Martial Arts."
Association for Historical Fencing.
Historic: really "old skool" (15th-17th century) fencing. I favor rapier, but this group covers almost everything from longsword to 18th century smallsword and any number of weapons in between:
Mid Atlantic Society for Historical Swordsmanship (MASHS), my home historic group. Again with the props - these guys are serious scholars. Also see their links section.
Association for Renaissance Martial Arts - probably good for finding a group in your vicinity.
Miscellaneous:
I've talked to some people who are interested, but due to injury or age can't do the footwork, which in many weapons systems can be hard on the knees. Fear not: there is such an animal as wheelchair fencing. I know little about it, but the link might be a good place to start.
Woman Fencers: Experience of woman fencers in the SCA, observations and a mild rant. I have to be honest - maybe I'm just fencing good people, but I've never had anyone try to tell me girls can't fence. If someone pulls this on you, well, you're holding the sword, right? Kick their ass (or try to) :P Check out their links, particularly to "The Woman Fencer" book (been on my wish list for ages, but keeps getting shuffled to the bottom).
Discussion of the differences between modern/sport and SCA fencing.
Wikipedia's article on SCA fencing - anecdotally, it sounds like fencing within the SCA is different from any of the historic disciplines, and adherence to historical texts/scholarly approach varies widely by group/region.
Arts of Combat and Chivalry within the SCA - includes related martial arts like archery and equestrian, also many links to regional rules.
Various obsevations/suggestions:
- It seems most aficionados of sport fencing dislike historical, who disapprove of SCA and on round again - IMHO all groups/disciplines have something interesting and useful. Keep an open mind.
- When you start out you will look silly, you will lose, and you will get hit - a lot. Don't feel bad - it's all part of the learning process.
- The people you fence with have a huge influence on how well you enjoy and learn the sport (or martial art, as the case may be). Choose a club where you feel supported during the learning process, and where "kill or die" isn't the rule of the day.
- If you're just starting out, try to find a club where you can borrow or rent equipment. Protective gear and weaponry can get expensive, so don't buy anything until you're sure your'e sticking with it.
- Have fun. If it's not fun, you're either doing it wrong or, much as I hate to admit it, fencing may just not be for you.