Fencing for many people evokes scenes out of romantic or action movies. Great ones include Captain Jack fighting the sword-maker's apprentice in Pirates of the Caribbean and the light-saber duels in Star Wars. Actually, dueling with swords, which dates from the Middle Ages, has been practiced ever since, even in America. The popularity of martial arts training has brought fencing Lancaster PA back into fashion.
The Spanish get the credit for formalizing the science of sword play in the fifteenth century. Spanish prominence faded as the Italians and French perfected the skill. It became more of a hobby and less war-like when the English aristocracy took it up in London in the mid 1700s. Every Olympic Summer Games has had fencing contests since they began in 1896.
Two types are most generally taught today, the classical and the Olympic style. Classical dueling focuses on self-defense, with the objective being to avoid the opponent's blade while perhaps scoring a hit. The Olympic style is more about how many hits a duelist can score. To win, a contestant must score the most hits, while being hit carries no penalties. Scoring this kind of bout is done electronically, with each contestant wearing padding which records every touch from the sword tip on an allowed part of the body.
The proponents of each argue about which is more competitive. Olympic-style supporters point to the scoring of points adding up to a win or a loss. Classical fencers say that any touch with a real sword can be lethal, that avoidance is the only way to ensure survival, and that 'life or death' is the most competitive of all.
Both styles are fun ways to attain physical fitness. Like other martial arts, they develop focus and concentration, as well as character and self-confidence. In addition, they are both great for promoting agility and endurance. Both styles have protective gear, like hand guards on the sword hilts, padding for chest and arm, and face guards.
Modern fencers use the same weapons used in former days, which are the foil, the epee, and the saber. When using the lightweight foil, all contact is to be done with the sword tip. Any blows made using the side are illegal. The same is true for the heavier epee. The saber, in contrast, is both a thrusting and a cutting weapon. Both the tip and the side of the blade are used during a duel.
The sport is open to men and women and also to children. Part of its appeal is its historic nature and its formal terminology. The attack, the riposte, and the parry are fencing terms that have found their way into the language. Many people love being part of the heritage of dueling like a pirate or a Musketeer, or leading a cavalry charge with up-raised saber.
It's easy to find local lessons by going online. Lancaster has several lesson sites within easy driving distance. All studios will let prospective clients view classes, which can be helpful when deciding which style appeals most or choosing the type of sword to use.
The Spanish get the credit for formalizing the science of sword play in the fifteenth century. Spanish prominence faded as the Italians and French perfected the skill. It became more of a hobby and less war-like when the English aristocracy took it up in London in the mid 1700s. Every Olympic Summer Games has had fencing contests since they began in 1896.
Two types are most generally taught today, the classical and the Olympic style. Classical dueling focuses on self-defense, with the objective being to avoid the opponent's blade while perhaps scoring a hit. The Olympic style is more about how many hits a duelist can score. To win, a contestant must score the most hits, while being hit carries no penalties. Scoring this kind of bout is done electronically, with each contestant wearing padding which records every touch from the sword tip on an allowed part of the body.
The proponents of each argue about which is more competitive. Olympic-style supporters point to the scoring of points adding up to a win or a loss. Classical fencers say that any touch with a real sword can be lethal, that avoidance is the only way to ensure survival, and that 'life or death' is the most competitive of all.
Both styles are fun ways to attain physical fitness. Like other martial arts, they develop focus and concentration, as well as character and self-confidence. In addition, they are both great for promoting agility and endurance. Both styles have protective gear, like hand guards on the sword hilts, padding for chest and arm, and face guards.
Modern fencers use the same weapons used in former days, which are the foil, the epee, and the saber. When using the lightweight foil, all contact is to be done with the sword tip. Any blows made using the side are illegal. The same is true for the heavier epee. The saber, in contrast, is both a thrusting and a cutting weapon. Both the tip and the side of the blade are used during a duel.
The sport is open to men and women and also to children. Part of its appeal is its historic nature and its formal terminology. The attack, the riposte, and the parry are fencing terms that have found their way into the language. Many people love being part of the heritage of dueling like a pirate or a Musketeer, or leading a cavalry charge with up-raised saber.
It's easy to find local lessons by going online. Lancaster has several lesson sites within easy driving distance. All studios will let prospective clients view classes, which can be helpful when deciding which style appeals most or choosing the type of sword to use.
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