Grip?

[Staniel]

I am totally new to this and as a result I have a question. This may sound like a completely stupid question, but I have been looking around and I can't find it anywhere. I was wondering what my grip should be like? Should it be very light, or should it be a death grip? I am really clueless so if anyone could help it will be very much appreciated.

[noodle]

your weapon is like a bird. hold it too hard and it will die, hold it too soft and it will fly away.

you don't want to have a death grip on it, it'll kill your hand, but you don't want to hold it so light that you have no force in your actions and people can beat your blade out of your hand. a nice, firm grip that facilitates your actions is what you want.

[Staniel]

Thanks a lot Noodle. That helps a lot, I especially like the bird analogy. Anyway thanks again

[D'Artag-NOT]

When I first started fencing, I kept a death grip on that weapon as though it would turn on me if I didn't. When I learned to relax my grasp it made a big difference. You can't do a quick disengage with the death grip, and your hand and arm muscles stay tense and get stiff.

Hold your grip between the thumb and forefinger of your weapon hand. The other three fingers are referred to as the "aids" and should be curled gently around your grip, ready to help move the weapon but not clinging to it. Use the thumb and forefinger to move the blade up and down, the aids to move it from side to side. Combine up/down and side-to-side movements to make the little circles used in disengages and counter-six parries. Your coach, or any experienced fencer, can help you if need be.

Welcome to fencing, and may the little bird in your weapon hand live long and prosper.

[geezer]

The thumb and forefinger control the motion. The other three have the Duty to complain when you don't pay attention.

non iligitimi carborundum