Frequently Asked Questions
UWSP Fencing Club | General Fencing | Foil | Sabre | Épée | Armoury
UWSP Fencing Club
When and Where do you meet?
The UWSP Fencing Club will be meeting this Fall on Mondays and Wednesdays 4 to 6pm, in
HEC 110.
Do I have to come to both practices?
No. Since many students have night classes, we try to schedule our practices so that the majority of students can at least make one. We also cover the same material both nights. If you are free to come to both practices, it is recommended. It will help you become that much better of a fencer.
May non-students join?
Yes! Faculty, members of the community, local high-school students, etc. are all welcome to join the UWSP Fencing Club. The only requirement we place is that you must be 10 years or older. All those wishing to join who are under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the hold-harmless form in addition to themselves.
Is there a membership fee?
Yes. The UWSP Fencing Club has a free two-week trial. After that it is $10/year for students and $25/year for non-students.
Do I have to buy my own equipment?
No. The UWSP Fencing Club will supply all your equipment. Much of your membership fee goes towards maintaining this equipment. Should you wish to purchase your own equipment, we are more than willing to help you. Indeed, we put together an equipment order every semester to get a discounted rate on fencing equipment.
What should I wear to practices?
Most Club members wear a t-shirt, shorts or windpants, and running shoes. Épée fencers are encouraged to wear fencing knickers or loose pants.
But I've seen some pictures of people fencing with bare feet?!
Some of our fencers used enjoy fencing with bare feet. All épée fencers are
required to wear closed shoes, as the feet are valid target area. In addition, all fencers are required to wear shoes at any Club event in which they fence.
May I choose what weapon I learn?
All new fencers begin by learning the basics on foil. After you have mastered the basics, you may also choose to learn the sabre or épée.
Do you use electric equipment?
Yes and no. We mostly fence with standard (sometimes called dry) equipment. We now have a working scorebox and reels and will begin to add electric fencing. If you have your own electric fencing equipment, there are Club members who do likewise and would be willing to fence with you!
Is this a competitive club?
Yes and no. We do compete against other fencing clubs. We hold a dry tournament at the end of every semester and invite other clubs to join us. All of our practices as well as this tournament are geared more toward the recreational fencer. However, we do have a couple of members who compete around the Midwest in the
USFA on their own. You can contact
Aaron McTavish (amcta579@uwsp.edu) for more information about that.
Do you have a coach?
Yes and no, again. We do not have a master fencer to coach us. However, our most experienced students in each weapon are the coaches for those weapons. Also, more advanced students help during beginning fencing lessons and teach new fencers.
Do you offer private lessons?
This is done on a case-by-case basis. Anyone interested in private lessons, especially because they can not make either practice time, are encouraged to talk to the coach of the appropriate weapon.
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General Fencing
What is fencing?
Fencing is the modern sport descended from dueling. There are three different swords used, each with their own rules and styles. The swords are foil, sabre, and épée.
What are those styles you mentioned?
Many countries in Europe tended to develop their own style of dueling. Here at the UWSP Fencing Club, two main styles are practiced, namely Italian and French. The Italians favoured strength and power in their style. The French preferred speed and finesse. Both groups designed their weapons specifically to maximize their style. In our club, all new fencers and most of the returning fencers learn Italian. There are a handful of fencers who have learned elsewhere and do fence French.
Is fencing safe?
Fencing is an extremely safe sport. All the equipment used is designed for maximum protection.
Do you keep score?
Score is always kept in a fencing bout. It varies some what from competition to competition. At the UWSP Fencing Club, we tend fence to 5 points (that is, the first fencer with 5 points wins).
Is fencing co-ed?
Yes! Female fencers are highly encouraged to join. In our club, male and female fencers compete against each other. In professional fencing, there are separate divisions for men and women.
There is professional fencing?!
Yes again! Fencing is an olympic and international sport.
Are there any governing bodies in fencing?
Yes. The
Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) is the international fencing governing body. The
United States Fencing Association (USFA) governs American fencers. Similairly, the
British Fencing Association (BFA) governs British fencers. Most countries have their own governing bodies for fencing.
I'm a new fencer, but want to buy my own equipment. What should I get?
A glove, weapon, jacket, and mask are the essentials for fencing. For women, breast protectors are also required. When competing, more equipment is needed. But these are the basics a beginning fencer, who wants to own their equipment, should have.
What is in a full set of equipment?
A full set of equipment for a professional fencer includes a bag, mask, jacket, knickers, socks, shoes, underarm protector, glove, two of each weapon they fence, body cords, and possibly lamés (depending on the weapons). Female fencers are also required to wear breast protectors. Competitive fencers will also own a small repair kit to maintain their weapons and fix them should they break during a tournament.
What is the 350N and 800N I keep seeing next to equipment names?
These are ratings for the equipment. It means that the piece of equipment has been tested against 350 or 800 Newtons of force without receiving any damage. Different competitions may require equipment with a certain rating. Equipment with these netwon ratings are generally preferred as competition equipment, because they have been tested and are safer and more durable.
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Foil
What does the foil look like?
The
foil is the lightest and smallest of the three weapons in fencing. It has a rectangular blade that bends easily. A small circular bell guard is used.
What is the valid target area?
The torso (both front and back) as well as the groin is valid target area in foil.
How do you score in foil?
Only point attacks, those hits by touching the tip of the blade straight-on, may count as valid points. They must land within the target area.
Are there any special rules for foil?
Both foil and sabre have right-of-way rules. These rules explain who gets a point when both fencers hit at the same time. For a brief explanation of right-of-way, check out
this article.
Why do you start with foil?
Some fencers do not start with foil. However, it is common practice, and at the UWSP Fencing Club it is mandatory. Most people find it easier to learn the basics of fencing when using the foil.
Is it fast paced?
Foil fencing is fairly fast paced. Most foil fencers are fairly offensive.
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Sabre
What does the sabre look like?
The
sabre is the middle of the three weapons in fencing, when comparing weight. It has a triangular blade that bends easily. A large bell guard is used. It covers the top and wraps around the hand to provide maximum protection against cut-attacks.
What is the valid target area?
Everything above the waist (head, arms, hands, and torso) is valid target area in sabre.
How do you score in sabre?
Both cuts (slashing attacks) and point attacks may count as valid points. They must land within the target area.
Are there any special rules for sabre?
Both sabre and foil have right-of-way rules. These rules explain who gets a point when both fencers hit at the same time. Unique to sabre is the rule that a sabre fencer may not cross his or her feet. This prevents crossovers and flèches. For a brief explanation of right-of-way, check out
this article.
Is it fast paced?
Sabre fencing is extremely fast paced. Most sabre fencers are very offensive.
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Épée
What does the épée look like?
The
épée is the heaviest of the three weapons in fencing. It has a V-shaped blade that is stiffer than a foil or sabre blade, although still bends easily. A large circular bell guard is used.
What is the valid target area?
Everything is valid target area in épée.
How do you score in épée?
Only point attacks, those hits by touching the tip of the blade straight-on, may count as valid points. They must land within the target area.
Are there any special rules for épée?
Rather than having right-of-way in épée, if two fencers have valid hits at the same time, both get points. Since everything is target area, a "natural" right-of-way tends to occur anyway.
Is it fast paced?
Épée fencing is not fast paced. It is much more like a chess match. Both opponents wait until the other makes a mistake. Once this happens, a rapid phrase occurs, usually ending with a point.
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Armoury
What should I do if my equipment is broken?
Many equipment vendors provide repairs for the most common breaks. Alternatively, it may be beyond repair and new equipment must be purchased. Some of the most basic repairs may be undertaken by an experienced fencer.
What do I do if my bell guard or grip is moving?
The pommel on your weapon is probably loose. Use an adjustable wrench (or allen-wrench for pistol-grips) to tighten it. Do not over tighten. Also, make sure that the grip is lined up appropriately with the blade and that everything is straight.
What do I do if I broke my blade?
You can buy new blades from most equipment vendors. Check to make sure it is the correct one for the weapon and grip you are using. Unscrew the pommel from your broken weapon with an adjustable wrench (or allen-wrench for pistol grips). Remove the pommel, grip, and bell guard from the broken blade. Place these on the new blade. Check to make sure everything is straight, and then tighten the pommel. Be careful not to over tighten. If you are using electric weapons, more work than this is needed. We recommend buying a book on the subject and finding someone who is knowledgable on the subject.
What do I do if my mask is loose or tight?
Depending on which areas are loose or tight, you should take different actions. All of these must be done carefully. If it is loose on the sides, place the mask between your legs such that the tongue is vertical. Squeeze your legs to tighten. If your mask is tight on the sides, place between your legs so that the tongue is horizontal and squeeze. If the mask is loose or tight in the front or back, adjust the tongue. Be careful to not break the bolt attaching the tongue to the top of the mask. Hold the tongue at the edge of the mask and adjust with the other hand to prevent this.
How do I fix a broken bolt on my mask?
You may be able to find pop rivets in your local sewing store. Be careful, use the original washer, check that it is 100% metalic, and make sure it is the same size. Alternatively, many shoe repair stores have the equipment to do this type of repair. Try going to one of them and asking for their services. Bring the broken rivet, washer, and mask with you.
What do I do if my uniform is too loose?
Aside from buying a smaller uniform, you may be able to take it to a local tailor. This must be undertaken with some care. New seams in inappropriate places or weaker seams could render the uniform unuseable or shorten its lifespan.
What do I do if my uniform is too tight?
Buying a larger uniform is the preferred method. Most tailor shops would not have the material necessary to enlargen a fencing uniform.
Should I wash my uniform?
Yes, but be sure to follow the instructions on the tags of the various pieces. Different uniforms require different water temperature, speeds, drying conditions, and may not allow bleach.
How do I repair my electric fencing equipment?
As this subject is considerably larger and more complicated than most answers on this page, we recommend buying a book on the subject. It is also recommend you seek someone with this knowledge and learn from them. More care and more tools are needed for these tasks.
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