How to Enjoy Fencing Safely

As with anything, there is an element of risk in fencing. You may enjoy fencing safely, with minimal risk, however, if you observe a few simple rules.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fencing Gear

1. Inspect your clothing thoroughly to be sure that it is free of holes.

2. Tuck the sleeve of your fencing jacket inside the cuff of your glove to prevent accidentally trapping a hostile blade inside the sleeve.

3. Wear an underarm protector always.

4. Warm up before fencing with smooth, gentle stretching exercises and slow, easy lunges to loosen up your groin, thighs, calves, ankles and feet.

5. Look before you step out onto a busy floor to avoid a collision with an actively engaged fencer.

6. Put on your mask before crossing blades, for any reason, with another person, including the teacher.

7. Stop fencing if your blade becomes unnaturally bent, and restore your blade to the proper curve.

8. Avoid fencing any closer to your opponent than the length of your sword arm and blade.

9. Break off your attack if you see that your adversary is about to retreat into an obstacle to his rear.

10. Strike your leading foot to the floor twice, in rapid succession, to signal your intention to immediately break off action, for any reason.

11. Respect your adversary's weapon as though it were sharp.

12. Finish your fencing workouts with stretching exercises for your groin, thighs, calves, ankles and feet.

Tips & Warnings

• Women should always wear breast protectors under their jackets, and men should wear athletic supporters with protective shields.
• Avoid fencing with rough, heavy-handed or otherwise uncontrolled fencers who tend to hurt you or with whom you find yourself constantly colliding.
• Most fencing injuries are the result of strains and sprains to muscles, ligaments and tendons.
• When doing stretching exercises, don't bounce, but stretch slowly and smoothly.
• Under no circumstance should you cross blades with another fencer, including the teacher, without first putting on your mask! Use only a "three weapon" mask to fence all three weapons, never a foil mask.
• Fencing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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on 3/21/2006 If you want to flick-hit (and you probably will) you must get your coach to teach you to do it properly first. A poorly executed flick-hit can really hurt your opponent. Worse, your opponent might decide to match the weight of your hits - and it's easier to dish it out with a fencing weapon than to take it! Even after the recent timing changes in foil, flick-hitting remains a useful technique, but it's vital that it is executed properly.

on 11/22/2005 If you are far enough away, put your non-weapon hand up, palm facing your opponent, and say "Halt!". I have had to do this when my glasses become sweaty. This is not legal to do in competition, however, and may result in a penalty for unsporting behavior.