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This guide is meant to serve as an introduction for parents with students fencing at UW-Stevens Point. No previous knowledge of fencing is assumed. We hope that you will gain a better understanding of our club and fencing in general.
Fencing was once offered as a course at UW-Stevens Point, but it disappeared a while ago. In the Fall of 2004, the UW-SP Fencing Club was created. Professor Rothfuss, a former student of the UW-SP fencing class, took on the role of advisor and initial coach. Over the years the Club has slowly grown, become more organized, and transitioned to a student-taught system. Starting in the Fall of 2006, we started teaching all three weapons instead of only one – foil. We held our first tournament in the Fall of 2007. In the Spring of 2008, we held our first tournament that included other clubs. Also, Professor Rothfuss retired his position as our advisor and Professor Francis took up the mantle. We have a long ways to go, but have already grown immensely.
The UW-Stevens Point Fencing Club is both a recreational and competitive fencing club. We fence all three weapons – foil, sabre, and épée. All of the officers that run the Club are students. All of our coaches are also currently students. We are open to students, faculty, community members, everyone. We supply all the fencing equipment. We also provide opportunities once a semester for ordering personal equipment at a group discount for those interested.
We currently fence using dry (non-electric) equipment. We have a new electric scorebox as well as our old reels. Using this, those fencers who want to fence electric and/or compete in the USFA (see “Fencing Competitively” later in this packet) have the ability to do so.
Below is a selection of common fencing terms that you might hear at a practice, tournament, or when talking with your son or daughter. This is by no means a complete list, but it should give you a starting point. For pictures and more terms, see the Glossary section of our website.
There are three weapons used in fencing. They are the foil, sabre, and épée. At the UW-SP Fencing Club (as well as most other clubs around the world), everyone begins by learning foil. After they learn the basics on foil, they are given the opportunity to learn sabre and/or épée.
The foil arguably the most common weapon in fencing. It is a light weapon with a small bell-guard for protection. The torso (front and back) as well as the groin are valid target areas. A foil fencer must score with the point of the weapon. Foil is subject to right-of-way, which determines the winner of a point when both fencers make valid touches at the same time. If you have seen fencing with the white uniforms and mesh masks in the movies, you were probably watching foil fencing.
Sabre is the only cutting weapon in fencing. It has the shortest and lightest blade, but also has an edge to it. It has a large bell-guard that wraps around the fencer's hand. Everything above the waist is valid target area. Points may be scored with both slashing attacks and attacking with the point of the weapon. Like foil, sabre is subject to the rules of right-of-way. Swordplay involving 19th century cavalry (think Civil War) would be the best likeness to sabre fencing.
Épée is the third and last weapon in fencing. It is the largest and heaviest of the three. It has a large bell-guard, but does not wrap around the hand like in sabre. The entire body, from head to toe, is valid target area. Points must be scored with the tip of the weapon like in foil. Unlike foil and sabre, there is no right-of-way. If both fencers hit at the same time, both are awarded points. This is most like traditional dueling.
All fencers generally wear sports shoes, shorts or warm-up pants, and t-shirts during practice. Some of our fencers practice barefoot. Épée fencers are required to wear closed shoes as the foot is target area. It is preferred for the other weapons to fence with shoes. Fencing barefoot is not allowed at most other clubs around the world, but was a habit instilled by some of the founding members of our Club. Male fencers are also encouraged to wear athletic support cups.
The UW-Stevens Point Fencing Club supplies all of its fencers with fencing equipment. Should a fencer decide to purchase their own, we are more than happy to help. We put together a group order once a semester and get a very good discount. We also work with our fencers to make sure all the equipment is sized properly.
The basic set of gear a fencer uses at UW-SP is a bag, mask, jacket, glove, and weapon. A basic set will generally run between $100 and $150 depending on the quality of the set. In addition to this set, we also highly recommend an underarm protector. For female fencers, there is an additional plastic chest protector. Each of these additions are usually $10 to $20 a piece. It is this set of basic gear that the UW-SP Fencing Club provides its fencers.
For a full set of gear, that would allow you to compete anywhere in the United States using electric equipment, you would need a bag, mask, jacket, underarm protector, glove, knickers, socks, shoes, at least two electric weapons, at least two body cords, and a small repair kit. Female fencers are required to wear a plastic chest protector. Foil and sabre fencers also need a lamé. Sabre fencers also need a specialized mask and glove, as well as two mask cords. To compete internationally, there exist certain additional requirements on this gear. A full set of competitive gear will cost between $400 and $2000 depending on the quality and the weapon(s) being fenced.
When watching fencing, you should remain quiet when two fencers are fencing. Cheering is allowed (and encouraged!) in between points or bouts. You can choose to sit and watch from the bleachers, or to join us down on the floor. Only fencers and judges are allowed on the fencing strips. But everyone is allowed to stand around the strip to watch. Just be sure to give the judges plenty of room to move about.
It is easiest to see what is going one when watching only a single fencer and ignoring the other in the bout. In foil, look for a lot of movement with a wide range of tactics. For sabre, be prepared for quick and simple actions. Épée is generally the slowest, with sudden periods of fast and subtle movements.
If one of the UW-Stevens Point Fencing Club coaches is around during winter and summer breaks, they may choose to continue offering practices for those who will be in the area or taking classes. This is entirely dependant on the coaches' schedules and plans. They will announce their plans for practices before the beginning of the break.
There are also many club around the country where they can continue to fence. For other clubs in Wisconsin, check out the listing at the Wisconsin Division's website. If they will be in a different state, go to the Find a Club section of the United States Fencing Association's website.
There are clubs around the country and competitions for fencers of any age. Indeed, there is a specific category for fencers who are 60+. It is a life-long sport. If your child will continue to be in the Stevens Point area, they are more than welcome to continue fencing at the UW-Stevens Point Fencing Club. If not, our coaches are more than willing to help them find a fencing club near where they will be living. See the next section for more information specifically about competing.
As mentioned before, the UW-Stevens Point Fencing Club does not currently compete against other fencing clubs. However, we do have a few members who compete on their own within the United States Fencing Association (USFA).
Competing in the USFA is hard, costly, and time consuming. But it is also very rewarding for those who are interested and dedicated. You have the opportunity to fence against a much larger group of people from all over the world. You will also encounter fencers of vastly superior abilities to anyone in the UW-SP Fencing Club.
Preparing to fence competitively requires a lot of extra time and training. It is the responsibility of the fencer to push themselves to make sure they are training as hard as they should be. Extra coaching will be provided when time is available (and it generally is every practice), but at the end of the day it is still the fencer's responsibility.
Fencing in the USFA also has a lot of monetary costs. You need a full set of gear, which can run from $400 to $2000 depending on the quality and the weapon(s) being fenced. Most of the gear, if taken care of, should last many years. You also need to pay for a yearly membership to the USFA (currently $50). You need to pay for all tournament entrance fees ($10-25 for small tournaments, but sometimes more). Then there are all the travel expenses as the nearest tournaments are currently in Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, and Chicago.
The decision to fence competitively is not to be made lightly. Talk with the coaches at the UW-SP Fencing Club for more information about fencing competitively.
