Hello! I'm new here...

[UserFriendly169]

Hello! I'm new to these forums but have some experience in the very basics of fencing. So I kinda just started thining about fencing again; I took an introuctory fencing class(Foil) when I was 11. I was very impatient and "too aggressive." So I decided to start it up again since I've become a completely different person, and have patience now. Anyway, I had a few questions because the only thing I think I remember is a parry, some basic stance and thats all lol.

1. I live in Irvine/border of Tustin. Where is the nearest club or place I can start taking classes?
2. What is RoW?

Thank you for your time

P.S. I found these books with good reviews- any opinions on which are good for a beginner?
Foil Fencing: The Techniques and Tactics of Modern Foil Fencing (Paperback)
John Smith

The Art and Science of Fencing (Paperback)
Nick Evanglista

The Inner Game of Fencing: Excellence in Form, Technique, Strategy and Spirit. (Paperback)
Nick Evanglista

Fencing: Steps to Success (Steps to Success Activity Series) (Paperback)
Elaine Cheris

[Applesauce and Foils]

Well, if you're asking what the abbreviation RoW stands for, it's for Right-of-Way. If you're actually asking how it works. . . I'll leave that to someone else to answer more clearly than me!
I read the "Inner Game" by Evangelista. It has some very good things in it about sportsmanship and what kind of goals should be important to the fencer. Stuff about winning short term or creating a lifelong love of the sport. I found it a refreshing read and kept thinking "Exactly!", especially on the sportsmanship parts.
I hear good reviews of his other book, "Art and Science" which is more on the technical side. Some people consider his methods outdated though, so take it with a grain of salt?
Have you tried the find-a-club feature on this site? I think it's on the home page. You enter your zip and it locates clubs near you.

Welcome back!

AF

[UserFriendly169]

I did try the find club thing, however it starts to load then a failure/abort thingy comes up. I have to get off the internet and get back on the site to get back.

Thanks, I'm happy to be back, I just hope I can find a club, and a decent one at that.

[Scorpius]

I hear good reviews of his other book, "Art and Science" which is more on the technical side. Some people consider his methods outdated though, so take it with a grain of salt?

AF

Of course, fencing has been around for a long time, so it's all "outdated" in that sense. He teaches the same concepts that have been taught for hundreds of years, and hopefully always will be because they work.

[Applesauce and Foils]

Yeah, I agree. I liked a lot of his techniques, but you know. . . there's some people on the boards that do a fair bit of bashing of his books.

AF

[UserFriendly169]

I have acquired the book by Nick Evangelista that you recommended(Plus it was actually in stock at the barnes and noble at the Spectrum). Sadly next semester I will be so busy from school that I will not be able to attend a class. I think it's gonna have to wait until summer... In the meantime I plan on practicing footwork, stance, etc while reading the book and after that the other books. I think I might just order a practice foil to just get a feel for in the stances. I wish there was a club really close by, or at least someone else who cared to fence who could help me out.

Any thoughts?

[foilist2090]

Well, if you're asking what the abbreviation RoW stands for, it's for Right-of-Way.

AF

Just what AF wrote, RoW is Right-of-Way. RoW is priority. It's a very important thing to learn, so important that I learnt that straight after learning En Garde. RoW is when you have to earn your attack. Its sort of like trying to attack your opponent without getting hit. That why you have to parry it (to remove the danger, the attack). When I say you have to earn it, I mean that you either have to start the attack before the opponent or to parry the attack. As soon as you parry the opponent his attack no longer counts and you gain RoW. If you choose to riposte (answer back) you have to do it immediately or else you lose your RoW.

Basically if your opponent has RoW you can't attack and vice versa. It's either you have RoW, your opponent or no-one has it. Only one of you can have RoW.

[Applesauce and Foils]

You can actually accomplish quite a bit on your own! It teaches self-reliance, and how to be really, really grateful for instruction once you get it.

When I was out of a coach, I used this article to teach myself footwork. I took it slow and my footwork improved 100%.

http://www.sgfencing.com/how-to-move-in-fencing.html

Good footwork is important. People notice it. I've had more than one person tell me that my footwork was "really nice" since I started dilligently practicing.

One thing that I would like to point out is to "move from the knees". Don't use your whole leg to lift and step. Keep your knees bent and keep things in alignment.

Have fun!
AF

[UserFriendly169]

Just what AF wrote, RoW is Right-of-Way. RoW is priority. It's a very important thing to learn, so important that I learnt that straight after learning En Garde. RoW is when you have to earn your attack. Its sort of like trying to attack your opponent without getting hit. That why you have to parry it (to remove the danger, the attack). When I say you have to earn it, I mean that you either have to start the attack before the opponent or to parry the attack. As soon as you parry the opponent his attack no longer counts and you gain RoW. If you choose to riposte (answer back) you have to do it immediately or else you lose your RoW.

Basically if your opponent has RoW you can't attack and vice versa. It's either you have RoW, your opponent or no-one has it. Only one of you can have RoW.

Oh okay! Wow, thatnks for the great explanation. Thats actualy really simple. It actualy dosen't change anything.

[UserFriendly169]

You can actually accomplish quite a bit on your own! It teaches self-reliance, and how to be really, really grateful for instruction once you get it.

When I was out of a coach, I used this article to teach myself footwork. I took it slow and my footwork improved 100%.

http://www.sgfencing.com/how-to-move-in-fencing.html

Good footwork is important. People notice it. I've had more than one person tell me that my footwork was "really nice" since I started dilligently practicing.

One thing that I would like to point out is to "move from the knees". Don't use your whole leg to lift and step. Keep your knees bent and keep things in alignment.

Have fun!
AF

Thanks for the link, that will be very helpful. I've started reading the "Art and Science of Fencing" by Nick Eveangelista and I understand it just fine

[Applesauce and Foils]

Yay! You're on your way to fencing success! Stick with it till you find a club!

AF

[foilist2090]

One other thing you don't normally think about RoW during the bout. One question are you doing foil because it sure sounds like you are?

[UserFriendly169]

Yay! You're on your way to fencing success! Stick with it till you find a club!

AF

Indeed

I plan on starting with foil because it's the most controlled in terms of stance, footwork, rules, etc, from what little knowledge I have gathered. Fundamentals basicaly. (Hahaha) But I do intend to learn epee and saber soon after. I like all three because they all have things that make them great, they of course have drawbacks though. I think I'll play it by ear.

Thank you for bringing that up, I was being quite vague...

Fencing- brings up all the fun times I had as a kid when I would swordplay with wooden(Sanded and sharpened ) swords... Nothing like splinters!

It is intense, demanding, almost as if fighting to survive. It is like grappling and sparring (wrestling/boxing), but with a sword. It is unlike any of the others sports such as football, baseball, etc(With the exception of the previously mentioned). As with other sports it teaches you to be in the moment or "In the zone." I'm very proud and impressed with the community of fencers, who have kept this art and way of life alive for so long. In our history, we have almost always had swords and schools for thought on eficient usage of such, and it looks like that won't hang any time soon!

Well, thats all of my dedication rant... If you read all of it- thanks for taking the time bearing it.

[Lady Quindecim]

I am in it for the free cookies.

Just kidding. Yeah - it is, as you said, like so few other sports, but I think it carries a charater what is missing for other communities. I would say it has a "Je ne ce qui" but I can't spell it.

[UserFriendly169]

I am in it for the free cookies.

Just kidding. Yeah - it is, as you said, like so few other sports, but I think it carries a charater what is missing for other communities. I would say it has a "Je ne ce qui" but I can't spell it.

Could you elaborate/ explain what a "Je ne ce qui" is, please? French right? Puedo hablar espanol solamente en el momento.

[Lady Quindecim]

What, like, when something has certain undefinable yet apparent characteristic or quality that sets it apart from others of its ilk, it is said to have a je ne sais quoi. Which translates to something like "I don't know what" which I find amusing.

[Well, Yo no hablo, and Je ne parle. But I talks 'Merican real goods.]
{What is with you today? Just hush. Mercy.}
[:evilgrin:]

[UserFriendly169]

What, like, when something has certain undefinable yet apparent characteristic or quality that sets it apart from others of its ilk, it is said to have a je ne sais quoi. Which translates to something like "I don't know what" which I find amusing.

[Well, Yo no hablo, and Je ne parle. But I talks 'Merican real goods.]
{What is with you today? Just hush. Mercy.}
[:evilgrin:]

A fine addition to my vocabulary!

(Shakes head and laughs)

[Five Rings]

P.S. I found these books with good reviews- any opinions on which are good for a beginner?
Foil Fencing: The Techniques and Tactics of Modern Foil Fencing (Paperback)
John Smith

John ("Jes") Smith is/was a coach for various universities in London - he was my coach for a few years when I lived there, and is highly regarded in the UK. I like this book, its well thought out, but its more suitable for someone who is either (i) teaching fencing, or (ii) who has gone beyond the basics and is looking for thoughts and ideas about bringing his/her game to the next level. Some of the discussion and techniques may not be appropriate for a beginner fencer.

I own all these books - Evangelista's books are fun to read, but he is opinionated and you will find a lot of discussion here about his fencing philosophy. I am not good enough a fencer to pass judgment on this.

Cheris' books is good for a beginner in that she sets out exercises that a fencer can do without a sparring partner. Beyond that, its not heavy on tactics or strategy, but nevertheless, it might give you some ideas about training off the piste.

[UserFriendly169]

John ("Jes") Smith is/was a coach for various universities in London - he was my coach for a few years when I lived there, and is highly regarded in the UK. I like this book, its well thought out, but its more suitable for someone who is either (i) teaching fencing, or (ii) who has gone beyond the basics and is looking for thoughts and ideas about bringing his/her game to the next level. Some of the discussion and techniques may not be appropriate for a beginner fencer.

I own all these books - Evangelista's books are fun to read, but he is opinionated and you will find a lot of discussion here about his fencing philosophy. I am not good enough a fencer to pass judgment on this.

Cheris' books is good for a beginner in that she sets out exercises that a fencer can do without a sparring partner. Beyond that, its not heavy on tactics or strategy, but nevertheless, it might give you some ideas about training off the piste.

Yes, I've noticed that he is highly opinionated lol. Thats awesome that I can get comments from someone who has trained with one of these authors! My next buy will be Cheris' book because I have been think on a set of practices and routines for me to do and his book will add greatly to that. Thank you

[UserFriendly169]

With my finals for first semester over as of today, I can continue my progress! And my glove and foil that I ordered a week back arrived a few days ago. Let the reading/practicing footwork/ slash more reading/ rinse repeat continue.

That brings me to my next question, what are the dimensions for an official piste? Like length, width, etc.