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Rez Johnson, M d'E
Headmaster: Mississippi Academy of Arms
Certified Moniteur d'Escrime (Fleuret, Epee, Sabre): Academie d'Armes
Internationale (AAI)
Certified Fencing Instructor (Foil, Epee, Saber): United States Fencing
Coaches Association (USFCA)
Fencing Master Apprentice of Past USFCA President, Robert F. Scranton,
Maitre d'Armes
Mississippi Academy of Arms
Virtute et Armis - By Valor and Arms
Teaching Fencing Since 1980
--------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From:
1@msfencing.org [mailto:1@msfencing.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 8:53 AM
To: 'Jeff.Savit@Sun.COM'
Subject: RE: [CFML] Re: techniques, tactics, form, function, etc
Jeff,
-----Original Message-----
>>I agree Rez's emphasis on intramural competition eliminates the
>>'different styles' problem; and everybody can pick their notion of the
>>optimal decade for 'classical'! My notion is later than his, and I do
>>think that there are improvements (like the fleche, like the earlier
>>extension and lunge).
>>I am less interested in a conservatory approach
>>than a 'fence along classical principles' approach.
Many people have this view. Who am I to judge someone else's opinion and
preference.
When I coached sport fencing I tried very hard to help the two sides
reconcile their differences, not meaning merge to the two styles, but
meaning acknowledge each other as practicing different yet rewarding and
valid styles of fencing. Many sport fencers enjoy a good laugh at classical
fencers expense. I know of several sport fencing coaches who enjoy bashing a
specific and well published classical fencing masters whom I respect very
much, calling his teaching methods "a joke." I also know many classical
fencers who bash sport fencers calling their style a joke. The truth is both
styles are valid forms of enjoyment.
I simply consider classical fencing as I practice it to still be a martial
art and modern fencing to be a sport.
These are the definitions I have encountered for Classical Fencing:
1. Fencing as it was taught and practiced in the mid to late 1800s.
2. Fencing as it was practiced in the early twentieth century, 1900 - 1920,
1930, 1940, 1950, pick you own ending date.
3. Good clean fencing, like I remember from when I started fencing (usually
1960s or 1970s).
4. Simply Dry (non-electric) Fencing
5. Any kind of fencing as long as the premise is, what if the points were
sharp.
6. Some also throw the 18th century smallsword under the classical fencing
heading.
Number one is the definition in my salle.
>>Regarding Giorgio Santelli and tactical lessons: I never had the
>>privilege of taking a lesson from him directly...but I started fencing
>>in his Salle in NYC (and now fence at Santelli's in NJ, 35 years later)
>>taking lessons from one of his students who was an instructor in the
>>Salle (Izzy Colon) for 3 years, and then in college studying under
>>another student of his (Al Kwartler, 3 time Olympian) for another 4
>>years, and later on as an adult.
You have a very nice sport fencing legacy.
>>I had the pleasure and privilege of
>>watching Giorgio give *many* lessons - mostly to people on the US
>>national team, and the lessons I took were consistent with them. Giorgio
>>wouldn't say 'if he does this, then do that' in knee-jerk style; but
>>part of his preparing the fencer was to give extremely tactical lessons,
>>often at full speed, to arm the fencer for tactical situations in the
>>bout.
Since you were an eye witness to him giving obviously tactical lessons, I
must differ to you. But still I wonder whey he said he didn't give tactical
lessons? I'm still trying to locate the source interview in which he made
that statement. I think it may be in one of my copies of The Fencer's
Quarterly.
Take care,
Rez
--------------------------------------
Rez Johnson, M d'E
Headmaster: Mississippi Academy of Arms
Certified Moniteur d'Escrime (Fleuret, Epee, Sabre): Academie d'Armes
Internationale (AAI)
Certified Fencing Instructor (Foil, Epee, Saber): United States Fencing
Coaches Association (USFCA)
Fencing Master Apprentice of Past USFCA President, Robert F. Scranton,
Maitre d'Armes
Mississippi Academy of Arms
Virtute et Armis - By Valor and Arms
Teaching Fencing Since 1980
--------------------------------------
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