Fencing (hobby)
Fencing is a multifaceted activity that encompasses elements of sport, martial arts, and recreation. It has historical roots tracing back to ancient civilizations, with a notable evolution beginning in the sixteenth century when the rapier was introduced as a weapon designed for thrusting. Over centuries, fencing transformed into a more structured sport, especially with the advent of the lighter foil in the seventeenth century, which enabled safer practice and led to the establishment of fencing schools across Europe.
The sport gained further recognition when it was included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, featuring events for both men and women over the decades. Modern fencing competitions are governed by specific rules and require equipment such as blades, protective gear, and electronic scoring systems. Participants can engage in various styles, including traditional sport fencing and historical reenactments, the latter often seen at medieval fairs.
Today, fencing attracts a diverse array of practitioners, including adults seeking physical exercise and mental engagement. While traditionally linked to the upper class, the sport is increasingly popular across different social classes, thanks in part to growing media coverage and innovative instructional resources. Fencing offers opportunities for personal growth, competition, and even professional pursuits as coaches or performers.
Fencing (hobby)
Fencing is considered a sport, a martial art, and a recreational activity. While fencing is rooted in a history of sword fighting that goes back to ancient Egypt, Greece, China, and other civilizations—when the ability to wield a sword was crucial for survival—the sport and art of fencing have closer ties to the early sixteenth century, when the rapier was invented. Until then, swords, such as the saber or the épée de guerre ("sword of war"), were long bladed and used for slicing or slashing. In contrast, the rapier, at first also long-bladed, was designed for thrusting or lunges. The French refined the design with a shorter blade and developed a school of fencing based on thrusting that competed with traditional sword-fighting techniques in Italy and elsewhere. Eventually thrusting became the more accepted technique, and the rapier and its descendants, including the épée, became the weapon of choice among civilians for dueling over legal and moral issues.
Modern-day fencing is also rooted in the seventeenth-century invention of the lighter-weight, blunt-tipped foil. The availability of this teaching tool inspired the founding of schools throughout Europe where the young men of nobility could more safely learn the fine art and sport of fencing. As rules and regulations became more refined, fencing became a more acceptable activity. By this time, however, men had shunned armor and often practiced with no protection; the invention of the fencing mask in the late eighteenth century (by the French fencing master Texier de la Boëssiére) greatly enhanced the safety of the sport.
The Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA), the first national organization in the United States, was founded in 1891. Fencing was one of the sports included at the first Olympic Games in 1896, beginning with men's foil and saber events. Épée was added four years later. While women's fencing had been gaining respectability during the nineteenth century, the first Olympic women's competitions were not held until 1924. Women's épée was added at the 1996 Olympics, women's saber in 2004. Wheelchair fencing became part of the Paralympic Games in 1960.
Today, sport fencers can compete in foil, épée, or saber at the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World University Games, and other events sanctioned by the United States Fencing Association (USFA), the name the AFLA adopted in 1981. The events are scored electronically with specially wired fencing vests and weapons.
A smaller group of recreational fencers practice a more historical style commonly seen at medieval fairs and festivals, such as those sponsored by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Fencers dress in costume and compete in jousts using the foil, the épée, or heavier, blunt-ended rapiers. Classical fencers tend to emphasize the art of fencing, an expressive or theatrical style, over the sport.
Equipment needed for competitions
- Extra foil or épée
- Lam� (electrical vest worn over jacket in competitions) and two body cords
- Underarm protector (plastron)
- Fencing pants (knickers)
- Fencing socks
- Fencing shoes
- Tool kit for repairing weapons
Things to look for
While coaches will teach the specific rules that govern the sport, the first general rule is to avoid being hit. After learning the proper way to hold the foil or épée, the trainee will learn proper footwork, lunging and parrying techniques, counterattacks, and other offensive and defensive strategies. Novice fencers will also work on improving mental skills that will help them become more competitive (or theatrical or artistic), which include confidence, a positive attitude, and quick-thinking ability.
Trends
Fencing is generally not a "trendy" sport or activity, as the rules and equipment have changed little since the nineteenth century; however, there is a trend today for adults to take up the sport, especially among middle-aged and retired people who are seeking exercise and the intellectual stimulation associated with fencing. Coverage of Olympic fencing events has been drawing more young people to the sport, while videos and applications ("apps") for tablets, computers, and other electronic devices have been offering extracurricular instruction and inspiration for enthusiasts of all ages. Today, fencing is attracting people from all social classes after traditionally being associated mostly with the upper class.
Fencing for Fun vs. Profit
As with other sports, fencers can go on to become coaches or sports announcers or to start their own fencing studio or club. Fencers are also hired as stunt performers for movies or as trainers for actors. Local medieval fairs and festivals offer other creative possibilities, especially for those who are expert horseback riders or have theatrical training. The best student fencers may qualify for NCAA college fencing scholarships, although these are available in limited quantities.
Learning More
Organizations
Association for Historical Fencing (AHF) <http://associationforhistoricalfencing.com/>
Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) Rapier Combat <http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/combat/rapier/index.html>
United States Fencing Association (USFA) <https://www.usafencing.org/>
Books
Barth, Berndt, et al, editors. The Complete Guide to Fencing. 2nd rev. ed., Meyer & Meyer Sport, 2017.
Cohen, Richard. By the Sword: A History of Gladiators, Musketeers, Samurai, Swashbucklers, and Olympic Champions. New York: Random, 2002. Print.
Evangelista, Nick. The Inner Game of Fencing: Excellence in Form, Technique, Strategy, and Spirit. Lincolnwood: Masters, 2000. Print.
Evangelista, Anita, and Nick Evangelista. The Woman Fencer. Terre Haute: Wish, 2001. Print.
Garret, Maxwell R., Emmanuil G. Kaidanov, and Gil A. Pezza. Foil, Saber, and �p�e Fencing: Skills, Safety, Operations, and Responsibilities. University Park: Pennsylvania State U, 1994. Print.
Werner, Doug. Fencer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Fencing. 2nd ed. Chula Vista: Tracks, 2010. Print. Start-Up Sports 8.