Fencers:

Try to check all these links since there is much information throughout this web site for both new and experienced fencers.

See the world's best fencer and the perfect lunge. (Aldo Nadi was my former fencing master in Los Angeles many years ago.)

Learn Fencing Methods and Techniques, Tactics and Strategies

Many thanks to all of those who have visited this site and given so many nice comments! Visitors are invited to explore our site and learn some of the techniques of fencing and discover interesting historical information about some U.S. fencers and international fencing masters with whom I have associated. The true nature of fencing is based on centuries of history dating back to the time of Ghenghis Kahn and the Roman gladiators. Some of my former fencing masters, most of whom are no longer with us, came from families who have taught swordplay for several generations and were world and olympic champions. You will also learn about the interesting and highly accomplished fencers whom I have known. New fencers of all ages will find some recommendations about to how get started in fencing, while more experienced fencers may learn some movements that are new to them. Please try all of the links shown below, as there is much information available. This web site is free and is intended for the use of any and all fencers of honor, good will and high standards.

The rest of you can look, too.

For some interesting information on Dr. Vlasak's fencing masters (including the world's best fencer, Aldo Nadi), check out our Historical Notes page.

We have had some excellent reports on our Fencers I Have Known page, so please take a look.

What is new: How to Spot a Poor Fencer. This page is very popular and is getting great reviews!

Getting Started . There are thirteen itemized suggestions on the basics of fencing on the right side of the Suggestions for beginning fencers page. It is important to begin by adopting the proper hand, wrist, arm, body and leg positions, since it is very difficult to "unlearn" faulty fundamentals

The fundamentals of Fencing Techniques are very important, as Aldo Nadi, the world's greatest fencer, always taught me. Even more advanced fencers can improve their speed and accuracy by reviewing the basic fencing techniques page. Smooth minimal movements are essential to fast attacks and effective defense. Two books by and about Aldo Nadi and fencing have become quite popular:

# Nadi, Aldo (1994). On Fencing. Sunrise, FL: Laureate Press. ISBN 1-884528-04-X.
# Nadi, Aldo (April 1995). The Living Sword: A Fencer's Autobiography. Sunrise, FL: Laureate Press. ISBN 1-884528-20-1.

Another section, Advanced Techniques for more experienced fencers from intermediate on up, has been added. The more highly advanced techniques are toward the last, and more are being added continually. See sections 2.5 and 2.6 for the latest additions.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to teach four young boys, ages from 10 to 12 years. I was quite surprised to see how quickly they learned. All of them beat every of the older fencers on depth of lunge and point accuracy! The 12-year old had the deapest lunge and had the greatest point accuracy. He could hit the center of target, which was less than a half inch or about one mm, two out of three times!! It is also interesting to know that the bend of his blade, with a fully extended arm, barely bent, while those whose blades did bend more were less accurate. See how to gain point accuracy in the lunge. It really works!

Fencers I Have Known

How to contact us

Basic Questions and Answers

 Q1: What is the fundamental technique for defense against an attack?

 A1: Keep out of distance before the attack and use proper defensive movements. Close the line in your riposte. Today's foil blade is light and bends easily, but try to have some respect for your opponent's blade. See full answer on the fencing Q&A page.

 Q2: Why are my ripostes (counterattacks) not effective?

 A2: They may too slow, you could be "telegraphing" your riposte, or your point may be drifting off target due to improper point and body control. See full answer at the fencing Q&A page.

Q3. Please address how the visionary aspects of fencing come into play. Does one focus sole attention on the blade of the opponent?

A3. There are many other things to look for in both offense and defense. See full answer at the fencing Q&A page, along with other questions and answers.

Visitors to this site are invited to submit questions about fencing. The question and answer may be posted on this site, but personal data is not revealed. Here is a question from one of our fencing friends from the UK:

Q4. I would like to see some information on your site about how a small fencer can score on a much taller epee fencer.

A4. I am a tall fencer at a little over six feet, but let me try to offer some tactics and strategies that can help. First, the arm is the closest target, regardless of one's height, so that target is the same for both the tall and short fencer. If attacked, try to "close the line", thus protecting against an attack into your attack. This just takes a small movement of the bell guard in a parrying a direct attack when your blade is more or less in line with your opponent's blade. This is followed by an immediate riposte to the open area of your opponent's arm or a bind. Secondly, you might try some "invitations", such as opening up an area of your arm that invites an attack to that area. This can give you a time advantage in both the parry and the riposte. You might also want to work on alternate parries, such as parry quinte with an opposition riposte. Similarly, you can try to use a beat attack with an appropriate disengage riposte. From your low line, bend and twist your wrist to give a sharp upward beat in quinte, followed by a direct or indirect riposte. You can also try this without the beat. I used this tactic and strategy against a very tall fencer in a bout, and it worked quite well. Another possibility is to use counter-parries, envelopments and binds. Most tall fencers would probably not expect these types of movements.

Q5. I've been fencing foil for about a year and have been using a French grip all this time. I have 2 Italian foils in my possesion and have always been interested in learning to use them properly but where I live, noone has ever seen them before, let alone know about using this grip. Can you help me in using the Italian grip and is it radically different from a French foil? As I understand it, the Italian foil is strapped to the wrist and there're certain parries that will affected by this arrangement.

A5. I can give your some help on this. As is the case with all foils, pick up the weapon with the thumb and index finger, in this case with your index finger at the cross brace. Then simply put the end of the grip against your forearm. The blade should be in line with your arm. It is not advised to grip it tightly with your hand, as this will make your movements much slower. The wrist strap is placed at the point where your hand meets your arm. You can tell where it is by simply bending your wrist.

At first, this will seem to be a weak grip, but if you keep the wrist strap tight your should be able to obtain a powerful parry with a sufficient amount of practice if you are able to avoid moving your arm in the process.

The pistol grip is easier to hold, but it tends to slow down the parry and riposte due to arm movements. Practice it for some time before you decide whether or not to use it. Bend and twist at the wrist, which is made easier when the wrist strap is at the fulcrum. With most pistol grips it is very difficult to have the wrist strap in this location. Once you are used to it, the blade will feel like it is part of your arm.

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What to do when you get in trouble

In bouts, there are always times when your opponent finds a particular attack method that is successful and begins scoring consecutive touches. There is not much time to figure out what to do, so it helps to have some preliminary preparation on how to deal with the situation. Obviously, you will have to make some changes in your strategy and/or tactics, so what might one expect to happen and how to adapt? Details can be found on the What to do when you get in trouble page.

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See pictures of another of my former fencing master, Ralph Faulkner , and the 1932 Olympic Saber Team. The "boss" was adored by his pupils, and he is missed.

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NOTE FOR NEW FENCERS: It is very difficult to "unlearn" an improper movement, and most of your beginning movements will be improper. Try to get a good fencing master as soon as possible so that mistakes will not be learned and repeated. In any case, check out all of the material on this web site in order to avoid or minimize improper movements that do you no good.

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Fencing clubs throughout the world can submit their sites for inclusion in our links page at no cost or obligation. We may also exchange links with other appropriate websites. Please let me know if any of the links do not work.

 

Highly recommended

book "On Fencing::

by Aldo Nadi

For some of my new scientific theories, including a new gravitation theory, see: www.science-site.net