Fencing and physical condition

[capa]

I am 20 years old and am anxious to commence a sport that promotes fitness. However, just over 3 months ago I had an operation and cannot risk any hard bumps to my head or direct blows to my eyes.

I have researched fencing and found it is an ideal sport as it seems safer than most sports and yet provides a fun way to keep physically fit.

How well guarded are the eyes? Can safety glasses be worn beneath the mask? Are any hard knocks to the head possible?.

Generally, what kins of people participate in fencing? Is is a sport reserved for those who have perfect physical health or can anyone partake in the sport at their own pace?

I hope some of my questions can be answered as I am looking forward to starting a fun sport but my lack of farmiliarity with fencing makes it impossible to determine whether undertaking the sport would be physically viable.

Thankyou

[ReverseLunge]

It might help if you're Asian.

[dunastor]

How well guarded are the eyes? Can safety glasses be worn beneath the mask? Are any hard knocks to the head possible?.

Beacuse you're wearing a mask, your eyes don't get direct hits. It's very well possible to wear glasses beneath the mask, a lot of people do it.
Hard knocks to the head are possible, at al 3 weapons especially in the beginner level, although at foil it is least common. After that epee, and in sabre hits to the head are fairly common, although not very hard with more advanced fencing...

Generally, what kins of people participate in fencing? Is is a sport reserved for those who have perfect physical health or can anyone partake in the sport at their own pace?

Al kinds of people fence. As you can see in other threads also people in their 40's and 50's begin with this sport, and do this sport in their own pace. I think fencing is an example of a sport where you don't have to be in perfect physical health to participate.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

It is a refined sport. It is sometimes a painful sport. You can get knocked into by opponents and thrown over. It isnt without its pain. I beg of you, for the sake of your health, do not take up fencing. Take up tennis, or ping pong, or dodgeball or something else. Fencing is about as rough as basketball, so I think it would be a poor choice of sport for you. I'm sorry to hear about your condition, but these are just the facts. Sorry man.

[wflaschka]

I am 20 years old and am anxious to commence a sport that promotes fitness. However, just over 3 months ago I had an operation and cannot risk any hard bumps to my head or direct blows to my eyes. ... I have researched fencing and found it is an ideal sport as it seems safer than most sports and yet provides a fun way to keep physically fit.

On the whole, fencing results in fewer injuries than most other sports; your research has probably revealed this. However, while it is safer than basketball, football, &etc., it is still a combat-derived sport. There is no guarantee that, in the normal course of fencing bouting, you will not get an accidental blow to the head. Most of these accidents will be incidental, but every now and then one will leave your head ringing (like when the opponent accidentally hits the mask with the guard of the weapon). FWIW, your eyes are safe behind the mask.

http://www.exra.org/FencingChptr.htm -- Epidemiology of Sports Injuries, re Fencing.

Most accidents of this sort happen during competition, and second-most accidents happen during bouting (face-off against an opponent). If you're keen to try fencing, then you can take introductory classes -- these are usually comprised of footwork, agility and strengthening games, and structured drills. You can sit the bouting out for medical reasons until you are further progressed in your recovery (the coach will understand), or you can be very selective and find opponents who are passive or unathletic.

If your recovery period is a long one, you can progress to taking individual lessons with a coach and achieve a high level of skill and gratification. All this can keep you busy for 3-6 months, but ultimately you'll want to test yourself against opponents, and this will lead to frustration unless you're recovered by then.

About the sorts of people in fencing -- every stripe. As ReverseLunge demonstrates, you won't always find nice people. Some people fence with intensity, e.g., what you'd need to climb to the top. But there are young, old, infirm, recovering, & deteriorating fencers. It is possible to fence, and be completely unathletic and weak, if desired. If the club is big enough, you'll find people with your outlook or who match your situation. The only commonality is that everybody talks more than they fence.

I've had salle-mates that were in severe car accidents with bigtime head trauma, and they were accommodated in many ways (for one of them -- no whistling in their presence), so I know it can be done. It would probably be fine to try out, but you may find your requirements too binding; I hope your condition isn't permanent, but there are individual-sports options too (perhaps less interesting, unfortunately).

[J.Harris]

Speaking as a foilist I'd disagree with most of what Hadouken said. Yes of course there is a risk with any sport and I don't know just how delicate your injuries have left you but your eyes will be very well protected by the mask and I've found in foil hits to the head are very rare and usually light (although this could be different against beginners of course).

[capa]

Thankyou Wflaschka and J.Harris,

All my research on fencing is consistent with your advice. I was confused with that other persons post - it just didn't fit in with all my reading on fencing.

I will follow your advice and train during my recovery which should be another 13 months. During this time I will simply work on skills and fitness. B

[capa]

Thankyou Wflaschka and J.Harris,

All my research on fencing is consistent with your advice. I was confused with that other persons post - it just didn't fit in with all my reading on fencing.

I will refrain from partaking in bouts and stick to practice, skill work, fitness development and private instruction during my recovery - which should be another 13 months.
By the time my eye recovers I will be itching for a bout!

Well, thanks again for your great advice Wflaschka. It has been a big help.

[J.Harris]

Good to hear we've got another fencer . Also nice to hear you're being sensible and just training until you're completely healed! Good luck in the world of fencing!

[prototoast]

Generally, I'd say fencing is quite safe with almost no risk of head injury, though it is possible:
http://www.fencing101.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10162

Very, very rare.

It also happened in Epee. Probably, just to be on the safe side, I would stick with foil. The head isn't target area and the weapons are lighter.