Fencing at home

[foxdie]

Hi, i used to fence (only for a few months) and no longer have time/access to real fencing training. I have always had an interest in sword fighting/fencing and now with summer vacation and free time I would like to "play" with a friend. I figure i can do drills and practice moves on my own. I know its not the best thing to get good, but my goal is not to become a quality fencer, but to have fun. Is it feasible to have me and a friend both get protective gear and a foil/epee/sabre and just go at it in the backyard? Thanks for your time! And any recommendation on what types of gear/blade to get for this type of thing is highly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[noodle]

well...yes. its feasible. just each buy a starter kit from someplace (i dunno where, maybe BG or fencing post? i've never purchased a starter kit before).

just realize that since you both aren't really experienced, the #1 thing you should be doing is looking out for your personal safety (don't fence w/o a mask, be gentile when you hit, don't try and run them through, etc). and if someone gets hurt, don't forget: i didn't say nothin.

[fencerontheline]

It would help a lot if you didn't fence on concrete or grass- as both surfaces are unsuited for fencing. Concrete will hurt your knees, and grass is not uniform.

As for equipment, it's probably better if you buy foam sabers, and use things like that- as they are pretty fun- and not all too serious. With them, there is little chance that somebody will forget safety rules, and they don't really hurt.

[Elemental]

I fence outside all the time. Just follow all of the same safety procedures you would at a salle and keep an eye on the surface you are fencing on (my friend once did a lunge and his front foot landed in a puddle)

[Artisan]

Originally Posted by Elemental

I fence outside all the time. ...keep an eye on the surface you are fencing on (my friend once did a lunge and his front foot landed in a puddle)

umm...did the puddle well up instantly between his advance and the lunge?

[labouche]

I would suggest getting a starter set, basic book and learn what you can from reading post on forums such as this one. Then just make sure to play safe, and have fun with it.
-elijah

[bimmerphile]

Sure you can, and you can work on the most important part: your footwork.

[The0ne]

if you're into sword-fighting, you might try and do the whole SCA thing. . . That's a lot more realistic sword-fighting, but it's not sport oriented like modern fencing. Maybe PM Inquartata, he's done the whole SCA thing before. . .

[Lotan]

If you're really serious about swordplay, allow me to make a humble suggestion;

20 minutes of footwork, followed by 10 minutes of static bladework. Rest for 5 minutes and then do 15 minutes of integrated footwork/bladework (lunges w/weapon, parry/riposte to a wall).

Rinse, repeat.


It's not the quite the same as an actual bout, but it's a good contingency plan if fencing outside doesn't go so well.

P.S. I know that it's already been said, but whatever you do, NEVER fence on grass (especially WET grass). Learn from my mistake (plus, grass stains are a &*!*% to get off fencing whites. Trust me.

[achilleus]

Originally Posted by Lotan

P.S. I know that it's already been said, but whatever you do, NEVER fence on grass (especially WET grass). Learn from my mistake (plus, grass stains are a &*!*% to get off fencing whites. Trust me.

Rinse with cold water. Use Spray 'N Wash or other stain remover, then wash with non-chlorine bleach.

Grass stains go bye bye.

[Lotan]

Rinse with cold water. Use Spray 'N Wash or other stain remover, then wash with non-chlorine bleach.

Grass stains go bye bye.

So beautiful in in its simplicity... Forgive me, I lack common sense off the piste.

[achilleus]

Originally Posted by Lotan

So beautiful in in its simplicity... Forgive me, I lack common sense off the piste.

S'OK. I had a very thorough mother.

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by The0ne

if you're into sword-fighting, you might try and do the whole SCA thing. . . That's a lot more realistic sword-fighting, but it's not sport oriented like modern fencing. Maybe PM Inquartata, he's done the whole SCA thing before. . .

I agree with you right up to the point where you say "more realistic"--it's definitely different than sport fencing, but I still wouldn't consider it to be realistic.

[swordwench]

IMO, if your friend isn't a fencer, you're going to be wasting a lot of time and you won't be learning anything useful. Oh, you might have fun doing it, but you also may pick up a lot of bad habits. These "fun" bouts usually wind up being more about slashing and theatrics than fencing. And for god's sake, make sure you're both in proper gear! (I'm channelling my mother now...)

I sometimes drill in my yard on the flattest strip of grass I can find, but the footing can still be tricky. I suspend a jacket or shirt from a tree at about the same height as the torso of my usual opponents, and find that doing footwork and lunges at a target the sways and gives a bit (and doesn't have something hard behind it) is good practice. Earlier attempts to lunge at a stone retaining wall and the trunk of a large tree proved bad for my blade and tips... I fully support the idea of footwork drills, as you can never get enough practice there.

Of course, that doesn't substitute for the thrill of an actual bout. Any chance you could hook up with someone from your old class? I've gotten together with some of the people in my club during off-weeks for outdoor fencing - otherwise we get creaky and cranky when the sessions resume. We have a good time, but some words of caution: tips are easily lost in grass, so bring extras. And if you do fence on blacktop or cement, be ready for sore knees and scrapes.

The suggestion to find a local SCA group is a good one, but be aware that the type of fencing (or rapier) done in the SCA is dramatically different from "modern" fencing - plus you would need lots of additional (not to mention expensive) gear and garb. I've heard some people complain about picking up bad habits that make it difficult to return to "modern" fencing. Anyway, enjoy!