Fencing for kids: A healthy discipline, a way of life, and a sport par excellence The knowledge that fencing exists, is slowly, yet surely reaching far and wide. Fencing is one of the first sports to be played at the Olympics and still is a sport featuring in this leading international sporting event. The merits of fencing are noteworthy. Not many a sport come close to this one when it comes to all round development of an individual. Fencing is much more than a sport. It is a way of life. Professionals (clubs, national, international) and hobbyists continue to fence well into their advanced years. Once a fencer, always a fencer – in spirit, or on the piste. Is fencing for children? Yes, like a lot of other sport. When begun at the right age, fencing can lend inimitable qualities to a child’s personality, gender and other such factors notwithstanding. Worldwide, it is not uncommon to see children under ten years of age, enroll for fencing classes with clubs in their vicinity. This sight is now rather common in many cities across India. The right and recommended age for children to begin fencing is nine years and it is only at ten years of age that they start to compete in state-level/ other competitions.A word of caution though – while the benefits of a sport (or any other activity) may be manifold, undue pressure from guardians and parents oftentimes undoes the good side of it all. It is imperative to be mindful of a child’s interest and his development as well as motor skills, before having him enrolled for fencing. Remember, you can take the horse to water, but you can’t make it drink! Moreover, uncalled for pressure (both by parents and the coach/ club) can lead to adverse effects like injury to and unintended behaviour of the child. Where can my child learn how to fence? While your child’s school may not necessarily have fencing in its curriculum, there are sporting clubs in Delhi NCR galore, where children – as early as nine years of age – can enroll to learn how to fence. A few clubs also conduct summer camps for children. These camps are a good way to assess a child’s interest in the sport and can mean a welcome break from his routine. En garde! Prêts. Allez Weapon in hand, fencers strike a pose to get into action. Fencing is fast, fencing is cool, fencing is unique, but is fencing safe? Yes, it is. There are certified coaches who help young fencers embrace the sport with comfort and safety. And then there is protective gear – mask, chest protector, plastron, jacket, glove, breeches, and shoes. In fact, fencing is fast becoming a much sought after sport, especially by students who dream to win a college degree outside of India, and by those who aim to secure admission to a prestigious college in India through a sports scholarship. Why fence? When a child learns how to fence, she learns how to think independently – no matter how much one has been coached to make the right moves on the piste, during a bout, with the weapon in hand, it is an individual’s intellect that comes in handy. Fencing teaches children the subtle art of balancing the mind and body. It sharpens the intellect. It prepares them to learn from each loss and think on their feet. Add to that agility, tactical thinking, and confidence. Voila! You have a self-assured, disciplined and focused player. See a young fencer or two strike a pose before a bout (or during practice), and you will know exactly what that means. To some, fencing is a lot like playing chess, but with a weapon. It calls for perfect hand – eye coordination. It is an exercise of the body and mind. It builds reflexes and instills in fencers a respect for peers, counterparts, and coaches. To others, it is like ballet, with the weapon as an extension of the arm. It is delicate and powerful in the same breath. It is control and finesse. It is a lesson in patience, and perseverance. In fact, if fencing folklore is to be believed, the sport did earn some of its signature footwork from ballet! And above all, fencing is a great conversation starter – always and every time. Oh, do add social skills and confidence to that list!
Press Release
Press Release New Delhi, India, June 16, 2016, Mr. Aswani Kumar (Armyman, International coach, and referee) will conduct training from 7 June onward. Participants will also get a chance to practice with International medallist fencers. http://bbcrecordlondon.com/live/11-world/103496-pegasus-royal-fencing-club-started-sword-fencing-summer-camp-in-delhi.html Pegasus Royal Fencing Club (P.R.F.C), a Delhi based fitness and fencing club are organizing a national fencing summer camp in Dilli Haat Janakpuri providing Delhi youth a chance to have their very own sword fencing classes in Delhi NCR. http://www.pr.com/press-release/675363 Pegasus Royal Fencing Club (P.R.F.C), a Delhi based fitness and fencing club are organizing a national fencing summer camp in Dilli Haat Janakpuri providing Delhi youth a chance to have their very own sword fencing classes in Delhi NCR. http://newstex.aci.info/view/1490fb9ff1031e8017c/1555b09217600150002 Pratibha Rana, fencing coach at Pegasus Royal Fencing Club said “Sword Fencing is one of the oldest and famous Olympic Games and it hasn’t picked up on popularity in India. Our purpose at Pegasus Royal Fencing Club is to help Kids and Professional equally train in Sword Fencing as well as be fit in James Bond style. When we try to explain what sword fencing is all about to kids and their parents, first thing that comes to their mind is James Bond in white dress with a sword. They immediately get excited to explore this sport further but at the same worried about the safety. But fencing as an Olympic games provide plenty of safety instruments and so do we.” http://www.bizwireexpress.com/showstoryPRcom.php?storyid=402335
pr.com about Pegasus Royal Fencing Club
pr.com about Pegasus Royal Fencing Club New Delhi, India, June 16, 2016 –(PR.com)– Mr. Aswani Kumar (Armyman, International coach and referee) will conduct training from 7 June onward. Participants will also get a chance to practice with International medallist fencers. All students will have to carry their own fencing equipment. If they don’t have their own fencing equipment, the club can help them procure the same. The training fee that is being charged for the class is 1200 rupees for 12 classes. If participants are travelling from outside Delhi, the Club has also arranged for a place to stay for fencers near Dilli haat. The stay and food is chargeable. Fencing is an Olympic game and it is growing in popularity in Delhi/NCR and School kids, if trained well, can qualify for these games at national and international levels. Sword fencing participation and medals can also help kids in admissions in international colleges to higher their studies. The game is not just for school kids but it can be pursued as a sports hobby by professionals. The game helps fencers build accuracy, reflex ability and agility, balancing, precision, target achieving along with physical strength. If professionals are planning to further their studies, sword fencing participation certificates add a great strength to applications for admission to international colleges. It is perceived to be a dangerous sport for children as fencers deal with swords but this great Olympic sport is very safe. Children can start learning as young as 8 years old; sword fencing weapons are not sharp edged that it could cut or harm anybody. The uniform includes proper safety equipment that include jacket, mask (head visor), gloves and shoes. Sunil Kumar, founder and president of PRFC who will be coordinating the class, is a young and qualified coach with the Delhi State Fencing Association. He holds a Bachelors degree in physical education from Delhi University, is a certified fencing coach from NSNIS Patiala, and attended many international training camps for sword fencing and is currently pursuing his masters in physical education from Delhi University. He has been working hard in coordinating with Mr. Aswani Kumar and Dilli Haat Janakpuri authorities to arrange a place which is convenient and accessible to everyone in the west Delhi area as well as those travelling to Delhi. He is being helped by team of enthusiastic and knowledgeable fencers in organising this camp. Pratibha Rana, fencing coach at Pegasus Royal Fencing Club said “Sword Fencing is one of the oldest and famous Olympic Games and it hasn’t picked up on popularity in India. Our purpose at Pegasus Royal Fencing Club is to help Kids and Professional equally train in Sword Fencing as well as be fit in James Bond style. When we try to explain what sword fencing is all about to kids and their parents, first thing that comes to their mind is James Bond in white dress with a sword. They immediately get excited to explore this sport further but at the same worried about the safety. But fencing as an Olympic games provide plenty of safety instruments and so do we.” For more information on Sword fencing readers can visit Pegasus Royal Fencing Club website – www.pegasusroyalfencingclub.com Contact Information:Pegasus Royal Fencing ClubSunil Kumar+91-9136620050Contact via Emailwww.pegasusroyalfencingclub.comSword Fencing Classes Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/675363 Press Release Distributed by PR.com
A story from Vitali Nazlymov
A story from Vitali Nazlymov Thank you for sharing it Vitali Nazlymov Last weekend, visiting Columbus for my mother’s 70th anniversary, I made the mistake of asking Vladimir his thoughts on upcoming sabre rules changes. To my kids’ dissatisfaction, we all ended up in the gym in no time. Vladimir must have been in some pensive/pondering mode, as what followed was a series of questions. I put together this 100-second compilation to help those who are interested give it some thought on their own. Keep in mind that the underlying themes are: closer quarters, less runaway speed, more time (which allows fencers to finish a right-of-way action but will also give referees more leeway in making calls). – Bladework, is it likely to get more or less important/precise? – Footwork, will left/back foot work more or less? – Defense, will it become more of a “contact sport” / aggressive or situational? – Offense, what’s tomorrow’s effective lunge will look like? (can’t go wrong by looking at today’s greats – Szilagui, Zagunis, Kharlan, they are doing it already). – Ref’s calls – will they become more subjective or less? https://www.facebook.com/vitali.nazlymov/videos/10208700065952525/
Historical Development of Fencing Sports
Historical Development of Fencing Sports The historical development of fencing parallels the advancement of human race, from the times of antiquated Egypt and Rome, to the savage Dim Ages, to the quick and exquisite Renaissance, up to the cutting edge, progressively well-known fencing of today. Fencing has dependably been viewed as more than a game; it is a work of art, an antiquated image of force and transcendence, and a profoundly individual, singular type of expression. Fencing is and dependably has been a natural piece of life, from the dueling and clash of yore to the broadly dazzling motion pictures and aspects of mainstream culture, for example, Zorro and The Princess Lady of the hour. Fencing started as the act of swordsmanship to get ready men for duels and fighting. The earliest confirmation of fencing as a game originates from a cutting in Egypt, going back to around 1200 B.C., which demonstrates a fencing session with covers, defensive weapon tips, and judges , and the old Babylonians, Greeks, Persians, and Romans all had some type of fencing. The Greek and Roman developments supported short swords and light lances, and taught their warriors in schools called ludi. The breakdown of the Roman progress at around 476 A.D., in any case, brought the unrefined, substantial weapons of the savage trespassers and flagged a relapse of fencing through the dull ages. It was not until the beginnings of the Renaissance in the fourteenth century that light, quick weapons, for example, the sword returned into utilization, principally on the grounds that black powder rendered overwhelming covering out of date. The utilization of reinforcement amid the medieval times made swordsmanship for all intents and purposes out of date. The broadsword was utilized against defensive layer, however just as a rough hacking gadget requiring sheer quality as opposed to aptitude. The swords of that period were fairly substantial, and cutting the adversary with the edge was underlined. Further, subsequent to the sword was much of the time a weapon of resistance against cheats, strategies included wrestling holds and traps intended to incapacitate or immobilize the rival to set him up for the killing blow. By making defensive layer out of date, the advancement of guns incidentally brought swordplay once more into noticeable quality amid the fifteenth century. Troopers at the end of the day needed to secure some ability with the sword, and fencing additionally rose as a side interest for men of honour. Fencing Experts sorted out societies, which taught different moves to starts while shielding them as competitive advantages from outcasts.
Unfolding of modern day fencing
The unfolding of modern-day fencing The fifteenth century brought the beginnings of modern fencing. Spain had the first true fencers, and the first two fencing manuals were published there in 1471 and 1474, but swordplay guilds such as the Marxbruder from Germany began springing up all across Europe. About 1500 the Italians began extensive use of the Rapier. The right hand held te weapon while the left hand held a dagger (often called a Main Gauche) or buckler (a small shield), used for parrying blows. Italian Fencing Masters, such as Agrippa, who invented the four fencing positions (prime, seconde, tierce, and quarte), and masters Grassi and Vigiani, who defined the lunge which was first illustrated by Capo Ferro, became very prolific in this time. The 16th century also brought a large increase in the popularity of dueling. More noblemen at during this period were killed in dueling than in war. Queen Catherine de Médici of France had many Italian Fencing Masters come to France and develop fencing there. She was so successful that in 1567, her son, King Charles IX, officially recognized the French Fencing Academy, and awarded many hereditary titles to the new French fencing masters. These new masters were the first to classify and define fencing attacks and parries. In 1573 Henry de St. Didier was the first french fencing master to publish a treatise, and one of the first to advocate heavy use of the Épeé instead of the Rapier. Fencing as an exercise based on speed and skill began when the longer, lighter rapier was developed in Italy during the 16th century. Because of the rapier’s length, opponents had to fight at a distance and quick but controlled lunges, attacking the enemy with the point of the sword, replaced cruder hacking techniques. But the rapier wasn’t a good defensive weapon, so the fencer often had to use his gauntleted left hand to parry his opponent’s thrusts. Under Louis XIV in France, a change in fashion led to a new kind of sword. The rapier simply didn’t go well with brocaded jackets, breeches, and silk stockings, so French courtiers began wearing a shorter sword. The court sword, as it was known, turned out to be an excellent weapon for fencing because it was both lighter and stronger than the rapier, so it could be used for defense as well as offense. As a result, the modern one-handed fencing technique developed – with the left-hand arm used primarily for balance. Fencing first came to America in the 1860’s-1870 via immigrant French and Italian fencing masters, and the first American fencing school was founded in 1874. But modern fencing was brought to the United States by the German Turners in the late 1840s. While the Turners emphasized physical training through gymnastics, fencing was also part of their regimen. After the Civil War, many colleges and athletic clubs adopted fencing along with the rest of the Turner gymnastics program.
Journey to OLYMPIC
Journey to OLYMPIC Fencing is one of only four sports that have been on every modern Olympic program since 1896. The men’s foil and saber events were on the 1896 program and the epee was added in 1900. But, because of major disagreements about the rules, France and Italy refused to compete in 1912. The Fédération Internationale d’Escrime, founded in 1913 to standardize rules, is the governing body for international fencing, including the Olympics. The women’s foil competition has been on the Olympic program since 1924. For many years, women fenced only with foils, but the epee was added to the Olympic program in 1996. There are different sets of rules for the three weapons, reflecting the differences in technique that grew out of their historical background. In foils and epee, a touch can be made only with the point of the weapon. The entire body is a valid target for the epee, but in foils a touch can be scored only on a limited target area. In saber fencing, a hit may be made with the point, the cutting edge, or the forward third of the back edge. Fencing is a difficult sport to judge, since it’s necessary to determine, first, whether a hit was made and, second, which came first when the two fencers score hits almost simultaneously. The electrical epee was introduced at the 1936 to score hits automatically. Electrical scoring for the foil was added at the 1956 Olympics and for the saber at the 1992 Olympics.
What is Sword Fencing?
In last few posts we covered how fencing has traveled from war sword fight to modern days Olympic in post – Historical Development of Fencing Unfolding of modern day Fencing Journey to OLYMPIC Lets get into technicalities. We will cover what all is needed in fencing as game and then next couple of post we will cover each of the discipline in fencing. The sport of fencing is an art of strength and strategy, unlike the choreographed bouts one sees in movies or on live stage show. In a real bout you don’t swing from a chandelier or hang in the balconies, but two fencers perform an intense footwork on a six-fee-by 40-feet strip. The movements and steps of two players are so fast that one has to keep a score through an electric machine called apparatus. Three types of weapons are used in fencing– Foil Epee Sabre One can play in all three categories but each weapon has its own characteristics and way of use and player tend to specialize in one of these based on their interest and ease to handle it. Though Nedo Nadi from Italy won 5 medals – both individual and team in 1920 Olympics. Until recently, in history of sports fencing, women were permitted to compete only in foil. USFA and FIE offer national competitions for epee and Sabre. Post these national competitions in two countries, in 1989, Women’s epee became part of World Championships. Later in 1996 Olympic Games, women’s epee was introduced as competition in second international and even more prestigious event. The three weapons differ for the target area. While Foil and epee are similar in terms of point-thrust, Sabre is not only a point-thrusting but also a cutting weapon. However, all the three weapons required quick-witted strategic fast moves by the player and hence have to be scored electrically. An object in the fencing bout is nothing but “game”. We have direct elimination play and preliminary pool play format in fencing. In direct elimination play one player has to effectively score 15 points, while in preliminary pool play one has to score five points on the opponent play before he or she scores that number on first player. Every contact between weapon and opponent players’ body in target area would earn a point for first player. Direct elimination matches consist of three three-minute periods. If you are looking for fencing training in Delhi, contact us now and learn to compete in fencing competition.
What is Foil Sword fencing?
As per Alexander Massialas I would describe Sword fencing foil as probably the most similar to classic dual of modern age. For visual please refer the video – Video by Alexander Massialas Target areas – BIB, Back, Torso, The Blade – 90 cm, It is made of special steel. It is stiff for manoeuvrability, flexible for flick attacks The uniform – Since past it has always been white and includes Mask, Lame, Shoes, Breeches, Glove, Jacket Fencers are identified by the flag on the uniform mask and last name on their back The Bout in sword fencing foil– At the start of the bout, both fencers always hook themselves to the reel, they immediately go to test each other target areas and after that they walk to En-Garde line and salute each other, then they put their mask on and get into their En-Garde position and wait for referee to say “Pret-Allez” The Piste for sword fencing– The bout takes place on a raised piste which is 2 meter wide and 14 meter long. The extreme end of Piste is called off-Piste, The middle of the Piste we have center line, slightly away from center line on both side we have En-Garde-line, then we have warning line. Fall off the side of the piste would retreat 1-metre. Fall off the end of the piste would fetch a point to opponent. Scoring in sword fencing foil– The first fencer to 15 touches wins. In a Bout there are three 3-minute periods. When the time elapses and the fencers are in a Tie, we enter sudden death over time. One fencer is given priority at random. If no one gets a hit, then the fencer with priority wins. Any attack in foil generally ends with lunge (the lunge is the most common way to attack – kicking forward with the front foot and pushing the body forward with the back leg, straightening the arm) When a fencer scores a touch, their light goes off. If both lights goes off, which means both touches at same time, the referee decides who gets the point by “Right of way”. Right of way in Sword Fencing Foil – E.g. Defender attached without a parry, attacker gets the point. On defensive side, the way you wave your weapon to hit the attacker is you hit them in preparation. The defender has the right to attack during the preparation of the attacker and defender gets the point. Other way to defend yourself is to start a counter attack, which means locking the attacker’s blade and then hitting them. You tried your opponent miss their attack and then you hit them. But in the counter attack if they also hit you then they will get the point. Foil in particular includes lot of strategy. It is a great mix between athleticism and explosiveness and also being cerebral and analytical. It is a game of athletic chess you know. You are playing a game of chess in your mind but you are still acting it out with your action on piste Mal-sun Marletto – Head Coach and Owner at Farmington Valley Fencing Academy – FVFA had further added about the video saying “Nice video! But the offensive action after a parry is riposte, and not a counter attack. A counter-attack in sword fencing is an attack usually without blade contact – initiated after the other fencer has already started to finish their attack. A counter attack in sword fencing does not have right-of-way, so the only way the fencer gets a point is if the fencer who has right-of-way completely misses (not only off target) and the counter attacker hits on target. The riposte has right-of-way because right-of-way transfers when a fencer successfully parries an opponent’s attack. Basically I like to think of right-of-way as “immunity”. If you have it and you hit your opponent, it is always going to be your action that counts, as long as you hit and it doesn’t matter if you opponents hits you or not. If you do not have right-of-way then you better be the only one to hit or its never going to be your touch. It is just a terminology issue in the video that can be problematic and confusing. ” To summaries it all – Features of foil weapon – Flexible rectangular blade Approximately 35 inches in length It weighs about less than one pound Target area of foil weapon – Player scores point with the tip of the blade. The tip must land within the torso of the body Target area in detail (valid target area in foil) – The valid target is the torso which is essentially from the shoulders to the groin, front and back. It does not include the arms, neck, head and legs Uniform of a Foil fencer – It includes a metallic vest which is also called Lame. It covers the valid target as explained above. The metallic vest would help register weapon tip touch on the scoring machine. Tip of the blade and its networking with uniform- A small, spring-loaded tip is attached to the point of the foil weapon. This tip is connected to a wire inside the blade. The fencer wears a body cord inside his uniform which connects the foil to a reel wire, connected to the scoring machine Reading the score on machine – There are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer is hit, and one shows a red light when her opponent is hit. A touch landing outside the valid target area (that which is not covered by the lame) is indicated by a white light. These “off target” hits do not count in the scoring, but they do stop the fencing action temporarily
What is Épée Sword Fencing?
The epee, pronounced as “EPP-pay” is actually a descendant of the dueling sword. Features of foil weapon – Like foil it is 35 inches in length But it is heavier than foil, weighing approximately 27 ounces It has larger guard to protect the hand from a valid hit A stiffer blade Target area of Épée weapon – The entire body is valid target area Touches are scored only with the point of blade Uniform of a Épée fencer – It includes a metallic vest which is also called Lame. It covers the valid target as explained above. The metallic vest would help register weapon tip touch on the scoring machine. The blade is wired with a spring loaded tip Player needs to press it beyond a pressure of 750 grams to complete the electrical circuit The process of pressing the tip to complete the electrical circuit would cause the colored bulb on the scoring machine to light Epee fencer’s uniform does not include a lame or torso jacket because entire body is valid target area Also off-target hits do not register on the machine. If you live in Delhi & want to learn fencing sports, Pegasus Royal Fencing Club provide fencing training in North-West Delhi, they already have trained multiple players who have won several medals at national level. Back to “What is sword fencing?”
