Becoming a More Effective Fencer

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Becoming a More Effective Fencer Fencing is a dynamic sport that requires great commitment to excellence from its participants. This article discusses how people can improve at the sport, in order to get a better set of results and stay healthier from day to day.

A great hobby Having an active hobby is a great way to stay healthy. Finding something to do on a daily basis that is active and that the user enjoys may keep the individual healthy. Fencing is a dynamic sport that requires a great amount of time and commitment from athletes. The sport is a highly competitive and difficult one at times, but it is one that is well worth pursuing. As an individual pursues this active hobby, he or she may be able to avoid many different surgical procedures that can come along with inactivity. If an individual learns to be healthy they may be able to avoid surgery but at times a surgery may be necessary. If a surgery should become necessary while involved in fencing, it may be advisable to look into an electrosurgical option. An electrosurgical unit may minimize the invasive nature of a surgery and the electrosurgery generator will keep the electrosurgical units working properly while in surgery. To enjoy fencing, it is important that an individual understands the sport. To reap the physical benefits one must dive into the sport headfirst.

What is fencing? Fencing is the physical act of sword fighting against an opponent. While in the past, such affairs into the territory of being an honor bound blood sport, modern iterations have been highly modified in order to protect athletes and allow people to have a good time. The sword fighting that is undergone has been modified to give it exacting form and rule sets, in order to create a stylized and effective sport that rewards technique and skill above everything else. While there are several variants that have been followed by participants, the goal of each one is the same. The goal of fencing is to successfully tap the opponent with the sword in a given target area on their body, awarding points to the one that managed to do so. After a certain amount of points have been awarded, the winner is declared due to their prominence.


There are some things that people can do to improve their overall levels of effectiveness when they are participating in this sport. First of all, footwork is absolutely key to success. In fencing, participants are matched against each other on a long marked off line. This line is thin, and only permits movements forward and backward. Therefore, the sport is one that is highly linear and exacting, with only a few options for movement available. Therefore, strategy is of the utmost importance here, because outmaneuvering an opponent is much more difficult than it normally would be.

Footwork Footwork is key. Athletes should assume a special stance in which their front most leg has the toe pointed at the opponent, while the back leg is bent with the other foot facing away at a right angle. Fencing involves a certain specialized shuffling, wherein special footwork is utilized in order to get a result. The person who is doing the footwork will advance by gripping with the feet while keeping the legs bent the entire time. This stance helps to minimize the target profile of the person, while allowing them to quickly move back and forth. The footwork is initially difficult to get down, because of the way that it feels, but it is something that can be incorporated without any issues. Sword work is also highly important. The fencer will be expected to use their blade for a variety of different functions.

Ready position At the ready position, the sword will be held with the arm bent and relaxed, with the blade pointing upward slightly. From this position, it is easy to transition into other positions that need to be assumed. Participants can also extend the sword out from their body in a straight line, in order to keep the opposition from getting near them. Such an act buys time and frees up the person to move around a little bit. Fencers will score points either by stabbing or by flicking the tip of the sword in order to get it to whip into the other person. Points will generally only be rewarded for clean hits, with ties going to the person who had the most forward momentum. Such a system encourages people to stay moving and be aggressive. When it comes to fending off an attacker, minimalism and conservation of effort is something that is emphasized. Working to be a better fencer may perpetuate a healthier lifestyle. As one continues to fence, he or she may be able to be as healthy as possible through consistent physical activities.


Photo credit: Guilmay, 713 avenue


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