Looking for strategy hints...

[Johnsa]

I googled "fencing strategy" and this forum is what came up!

Since I love a good forum, I'll be hanging around for a while to see what you guys have to say.

I don't do modern style fencing myself, only medieval style (sword and buckler). So I'm really only here looking for hints on strategy that can be applied to all kinds of fencing.

Strategy nerds may feel free to point out relevant threads...


Cheers,

John

[Bryn Ralph]

Secure a copy of Sydney Anglo's "The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe."
Also, you might desire to investigate Dr. William Gaugler's test entitled "The Science of Fencing" as well as a copy of Aldo Nadi's "On Fencing."

[Johnsa]

Thanks for book tips!
I'm looking them up at amazon now... They look really interesting! Might be just the thing I need.

I remember reading about Aldo Nadi in Cohen's "By the sword"...

You see, I would quite like to have a go with rapier fencing. Have long fancied this weapon here:
http://www.armor.com/rapier170.html

John

[MUHSfencing]

Book learnin' is a lot of fun, and will eventually pay off in your fencing, but it's pretty much universally accepted that a good teacher is vastly more useful, particularly in the beginning.

So, if you don't mind sayin whereabouts you live, maybe you could find yourself a teacher. Or at least a practice partner.

Or do you already have one? I really shouldn't assume.

[Johnsa]

Ah, you see, I'm into a different branch of fencing. So I'm just here to pick up hints about strategy. And of course because I love fencing in every form. I just looked at some videos from the World Cup finals on YouTube, and man that made my hands sweat We don't get much fencing on TV here. Wish there were more!

Can't seem to make up my mind if I like foil, epee or sabre most, though... Maybe sabre! If somebody had the time and inclination to explain what the main differences are, I would be grateful. Apart from the obvious, that is. I can see that the sabre also can cut, for instance.

btw I'm based near Oslo, Norway.

John

[Zilverzmurfen]

Can't seem to make up my mind if I like foil, epee or sabre most, though... Maybe sabre!

btw I'm based near Oslo, Norway.

Norway + Sabre =
There's officially like one (1) sabreur in Norway, so for 'sport fencing' you'd have better luck finding an épée club. (I don't think foil's that big in Norway either.)

Of course, if you plan to stick to theatre/medieval fencing I'm sure you have sparring partners already. Have fun!

[Johnsa]

Hehe... Really? One Sabreur in Norway?
Man, we live right on the outskirts of civilisation, don't we

Well, I've decided that épée is the best, closely followed by sabre. Mainly because I think the concept of right of way sounds very unnatural. And because it's heavier than the sabre, which was a surprise.

John

[Zilverzmurfen]

Man, we live right on the outskirts of civilisation, don't we

Yes you do.


Anyway, you probably know this already, but iiiiiiiiif you're looking for (sport) fencing club then have a look at www.fekting.no for a club near you. Hilsen fra grannen i öst.)

[PeterGustafsson]

Hej!

I googled "fencing strategy" and this forum is what came up!

Since I love a good forum, I'll be hanging around for a while to see what you guys have to say.

I don't do modern style fencing myself, only medieval style (sword and buckler). So I'm really only here looking for hints on strategy that can be applied to all kinds of fencing.

Strategy nerds may feel free to point out relevant threads...


Cheers,

John

Det här säger jag alltid till mina elever:
"Se till att fäktmatchen handlar om dina styrkor och motståndarens svagheter - aldrig tvärtom!"


Ha det bra!

Peter Gustafsson

[Inquartata]

Egad, it's Scandinavia, land of the Vikings, and no one living there has any interest in swords any more? How the mighty have fallen...

[Rabid Monk]

That's a nice rapier you've picked out.

I'm more fond of the Musketeer, because I like the hilt. But I also admire the elegant simplicity in the French rapier.

Anyway, welcome, and don't discount foil until you've tried it.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Egad, it's Scandinavia, land of the Vikings, and no one living there has any interest in swords any more?

Of course we do -- we favour épée.

[Johnsa]

Anyway, welcome, and don't discount foil until you've tried it.

Thanks!
Do you favour foil yourself? If so, can you tell me more about why you prefer this weapon?

Allthough historical fencing is my thing, I'm getting very keen on trying modern fencing now... I did kendo for nearly 2 years at University, but it banged up my knee.

John

[Goldgar]

I don't do modern style fencing myself, only medieval style (sword and buckler). So I'm really only here looking for hints on strategy that can be applied to all kinds of fencing.

The thing is, strategy has to be based on the structure (rules, etc.) of the contest and the capabilities you can bring to it. Strategy for epee, for example, is significantly different from strategy for sabre, because of differences in the rules and the weapons. Your weapons and rules for sword and buckler are bound to be much different from those of any of the sport-fencing weapons.

About the only strategic maxim I can think of that would apply accross the board is, "Control the distance." If you can control the distance, you can control when things can happen and what sorts of things can happen. In (my sort of) fencing, my first focus is to ensure that my opponent can attack me only when and where I want him to.

Even that rule wouldn't apply if your combats were confined, say, to an eight-foot circle.

[Inquartata]

Of course we do -- we favour épée.

Feh, you even use a foreign word for 'sword'! A French word! A word adopted from the language of a nation you once pillaged and conquered!

And anyway, the Norse did not use foining swords during their heyday! They used good, forthright cutting ones!

Decadence! I call decadence!

[Phaeton]

I always thought Scandinavians were more into axes.

[Inquartata]

Not the jarls and kings, for whom swords were both status symbols and superior weapons; only for the poor karls. And even then some wealthy leaders handed out swords to their retinues.

Actually the spear was almost certainly preeminent over either. But this is digression...

[Johnsa]

The thing is, strategy has to be based on the structure (rules, etc.) of the contest and the capabilities you can bring to it. ... Your weapons and rules for sword and buckler are bound to be much different from those of any of the sport-fencing weapons.

Ah, yes. Some things are different, but some are the same... I have read quite a lot on this forum now, and I do actually find a lot of stuff that's relevant to me. More than I thought.

I have made some notes on these things: Reading/analyzing your opponent, using tempo changes, Single attacks vs Combinations, provoking certain moves, how to gauge a new opponent, distance, when to put pressure, when to release it - and so on...

So it actually is quite helpful. And I'm also getting really keen on trying your kind of fencing too

In sword and buckler you can both thrust and cut with the sword, and it's a really fast game, just as sport fencing. Therefore are distance and timing just as important for us. Take away the buckler, and you've got Sabre, I guess! Of course, we're allowed to grapple the opponent, which I'm sure many of you would have liked to do from time to time...


John

[Zilverzmurfen]

Feh, you even use a foreign word for 'sword'!

No we don't. I was writing in english; it is you who use the french word.

Short swedish-lesson for stressed adults
Sword: Svärd
Épée: Värja
Sabre: Sabel
Foil: Florett

[Johnsa]

Not the jarls and kings, for whom swords were both status symbols and superior weapons; only for the poor karls. ... Actually the spear was almost certainly preeminent over either. But this is digression...

Oh, but a good digression!

In rich grave finds from the viking age, we find all three weapons together (sword, axe, spear), so the axe was certainly also used by the high and mighty. Especially the large axe (breidoks), which also was equal to the sword in the laws.

That said, I agree that the sword had a great symbolic value, probably more than the axe and the spear. And that the spear was preeminent on the battlefield.

John