Traditional Fencing

    There is one thing which I must contribute to your knowledge of fencing…While in the

Movies, on TV, and at some schools you begin bouting and fencing the first day, week, or even month…This is not the case at MSU.

 

    Fencing is very strategic, and historical in the rules and in the teachings. You must have from yourself

discipline to practice fencing, remember; these were once tools of defending

oneself, and even though chances of being hurt in fencing is smaller then being hurt in Baseball,

we do want you to be your very best, weather you are fencing for competition or just for the fun of it.

 

    The fencing which we choose to do is a very old and traditional style going

back for a couple hundred years.  This is not the stuff you see at the Olympics,

nor is it the stuff you see in the movies, it is not flashy, as the best we can

describe what we do and what you see; It’s like a physical chess.

 

 

Dress Code   

    With regards to fencing jackets, someone asked about colored jackets. Historically, colored jackets have been the prerogative of the fencing master. This has been to insure that when new people came into a salle, it was immediately apparent who was in charge. Hence, only white fencing jackets will be allowed for students while fencing with the club.

 

    White fencing pants will not be required, however. Jeans or dark sweat pants will be fine. No short pants will be allowed anymore for those who are doing conventionals or bouting. Sorry, even on hot days. Shorts just do not give adequate protection.

 

 

All students:

 

    1.    You must wear a protective glove while bouting or 

           doing conventionals -- for the same reason as

           long pants.

 

    2.    Athletic shoes are a must for traction.

 

    3.    Fencing masks must be in good repair.

 

 

Addressing the teacher:

 

    Within the context of our meetings, or in e-mails, students should call the teacher

"Maestro."  This is traditional, and since we do want to follow a traditional approach to fencing,

we should be fairly consistent in what we do.

 

 

The Equipment:

 

    While practicing or bouting , we use a FRENCH FOIL.

 

    The Foil is the beginners weapon, then you move to epee, and then saber. By paying the membership and coming to class, the club allows you to use the teacher’s equipment at the society.

    However, if you want to practice at home or elsewhere, you must purchase your own equipment.

 

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The Missouri State Fencing Society 2000 - 2006