fencing styles

[135711]

in comparing fencing styles: i notice that fencing higher brings you closer and fencer lower makes you fence longer, keeping better distance. from what i've read so far, the styles of italy favor the higher, upper lines with shorter distance, while the french favor the longer line and keeping more distance. is this a fair analysis? does anyone have any comments on their observations, and what do you think about this?

got to go, fencing class tonight, i fenced sort of louzy last week, but what the heck, it's been about 10-12 months since i fenced last.

[swordsen]

You know, I've never thought about it before but that is a pretty accurate observation. (of course having said that i am sure a gazillion folks will post examples of exceptions)
I couldn't tell you about the French or Italians though.

[a517dogg]

when i fence higher, i'm at longer distance because i get my attack off quicker. fencing lower contorts your body, wastes energy, takes longer to do anything, but its better defensivelty because people arel ike "what the hell"

[veeco]

What exactly do you mean by "fence higher" or "fence lower"? Is it a lower guard (like in eight) or a lower center of gravity?

[epeefencer74]

I'm going to assume you mean a lower centre of gravity. It seems to be the case here in asia as well. Those fencers with a lower set on guard seem to have very long lunges and very quick recoveries. I was watching Japanese and Korean fencers recently during the Fencing Singapore International competition. All of them had fairly low set on guards and reminicient of that of the Hungarians and Poles of the past. All of them were moving on the balls of their feet and very fluidly. The Thais on the other hand were fencing with a higher set on guard. Although just as fluid and fast their lunges seem to be shorter than those of the Japanese and Koreans. The Japs and Koreans were very fond of using their lunges and continuations of thier attacks while the Thais seem to prefer counters into the opponents counter attack.

What amazed me was how the Japanese and Koreans could keep doing this throughout the whole competition. I figured it must be because they've been taught and drilled endlessly in this that it is natural and effortless to them. Their recovery from the lunge is smooth, seamless and very fast. I saw one Japanese lady do a lunge, recover and relunge. What's so special about that you might ask. It was the type of lunge that goes really deep and long, the leading leg had a perfect 90 deg bend at the knee, back leg completely straight, the type you see in books. Now her opponent parried six and jumped back to avoid, this lady simply recovered forward with blinding speed and lunged again hitting her opponent in mid jump. It was the type of action that I wish I could pull off and with what seemed like the least of efforts.

I had assumed that if you were to lunge like that lady did the recovery would be difficult and rough, usually taking too much time and allowing the opponent a chance to counter attack. After seeing the Japanese and Koreans I have to admit that I've been wrong, and that with enough conditioning and training anything is possible. Oh and this lady was about 5'1'' or 5'2''. I've resolved to do footwork and lunges with relunges every day till I can do what she did.

[Boo Boo]

Some of the Japanese womens foil fencers are very good/nice fencers: I have been very impressed when I have seem them fenced or fenced them.

Boo
(sorry, that is going off topic).

[veeco]

Originally posted by epeefencer74
I'm going to assume you mean a lower centre of gravity. It seems to be the case here in asia as well. Those fencers with a lower set on guard seem to have very long lunges and very quick recoveries. I was watching Japanese and Korean fencers recently during the Fencing Singapore International competition. All of them had fairly low set on guards and reminicient of that of the Hungarians and Poles of the past. All of them were moving on the balls of their feet and very fluidly. The Thais on the other hand were fencing with a higher set on guard. Although just as fluid and fast their lunges seem to be shorter than those of the Japanese and Koreans. The Japs and Koreans were very fond of using their lunges and continuations of thier attacks while the Thais seem to prefer counters into the opponents counter attack.

What amazed me was how the Japanese and Koreans could keep doing this throughout the whole competition. I figured it must be because they've been taught and drilled endlessly in this that it is natural and effortless to them. Their recovery from the lunge is smooth, seamless and very fast. I saw one Japanese lady do a lunge, recover and relunge. What's so special about that you might ask. It was the type of lunge that goes really deep and long, the leading leg had a perfect 90 deg bend at the knee, back leg completely straight, the type you see in books. Now her opponent parried six and jumped back to avoid, this lady simply recovered forward with blinding speed and lunged again hitting her opponent in mid jump. It was the type of action that I wish I could pull off and with what seemed like the least of efforts.

I had assumed that if you were to lunge like that lady did the recovery would be difficult and rough, usually taking too much time and allowing the opponent a chance to counter attack. After seeing the Japanese and Koreans I have to admit that I've been wrong, and that with enough conditioning and training anything is possible. Oh and this lady was about 5'1'' or 5'2''. I've resolved to do footwork and lunges with relunges every day till I can do what she did.

With a lower centre of gravity, you it's easier to do the action you describe, I think. It's easier because you keep your balance easier, and therefore the recovery is faster.

Of course it is more tiring to keep a lower centre of gravity, those bent knees start aching after a while (I know they do for me ;-)

[epeefencer74]

Originally posted by Boo Boo
Some of the Japanese womens foil fencers are very good/nice fencers: I have been very impressed when I have seem them fenced or fenced them.

Boo
(sorry, that is going off topic).

Yes they were very nice and they are good fencers, but communication was a major problem.