Fencing for many people evokes scenes out of romantic or action movies. Great ones include Captain Jack fighting the sword-maker's apprentice in Pirates of the Caribbean and the light-saber duels in Star Wars. Actually, dueling with swords, which dates from the Middle Ages, has been practiced ever since, even in America. The popularity of martial arts training has brought fencing Lancaster PA back into fashion.
The art developed first in Spain during the 1400s, but was perfected by the Italians and the French. In the mid-1700s, it became a sport for aristocratic London gentlemen who learned from Italian and French masters. Since the first Olympic Summer Games in 1896, fencing has had a place in the world-wide contest.
There are two popular styles being taught in Lancaster today, the classical art of self-defense and the Olympic style of scoring more points than an opponent. The classical regards any touch from an opponent's weapon as dangerous, so the goal is to avoid injury be 'parrying' or deflecting every sword thrust. In the Olympic style, a duelist does not care if the opponent scores a hit, as long as he or she inflicts the most hits. Scoring is electronic, with padded clothing automatically recording hits which may be fast and furious.
Olympic style is thought by many to be more competitive, while classical is believed to focus more on form. However, fans of the classic style say that their contests in reality would be life or death, that every hit could be dangerous if not lethal, and avoiding any thrust from the opponent's sword should be the goal. In this case, parrying a thrust, which is a purely defensive move, takes precedence over scoring a hit.
Both styles are fun ways to attain physical fitness. Like other martial arts, they develop focus and concentration, as well as character and self-confidence. In addition, they are both great for promoting agility and endurance. Both styles have protective gear, like hand guards on the sword hilts, padding for chest and arm, and face guards.
There are three types of weapons in modern fencing: the foil, the epee, and the saber. The foil is the lightest in weight, with all contact being done with the tip. The heavier epee is also a thrusting weapon. The saber is the heaviest and is both a thrusting (with the point) and a cutting sword. Points may be scored with either the tip or the edge of the blade when using a saber.
The sport is open to men and women and also to children. Part of its appeal is its historic nature and its formal terminology. The attack, the riposte, and the parry are fencing terms that have found their way into the language. Many people love being part of the heritage of dueling like a pirate or a Musketeer, or leading a cavalry charge with up-raised saber.
There are many internet listings for lessons in the Lancaster area. Interested people might like to visit local martial arts centers or fencing clubs to see which style they would prefer to learn.
The art developed first in Spain during the 1400s, but was perfected by the Italians and the French. In the mid-1700s, it became a sport for aristocratic London gentlemen who learned from Italian and French masters. Since the first Olympic Summer Games in 1896, fencing has had a place in the world-wide contest.
There are two popular styles being taught in Lancaster today, the classical art of self-defense and the Olympic style of scoring more points than an opponent. The classical regards any touch from an opponent's weapon as dangerous, so the goal is to avoid injury be 'parrying' or deflecting every sword thrust. In the Olympic style, a duelist does not care if the opponent scores a hit, as long as he or she inflicts the most hits. Scoring is electronic, with padded clothing automatically recording hits which may be fast and furious.
Olympic style is thought by many to be more competitive, while classical is believed to focus more on form. However, fans of the classic style say that their contests in reality would be life or death, that every hit could be dangerous if not lethal, and avoiding any thrust from the opponent's sword should be the goal. In this case, parrying a thrust, which is a purely defensive move, takes precedence over scoring a hit.
Both styles are fun ways to attain physical fitness. Like other martial arts, they develop focus and concentration, as well as character and self-confidence. In addition, they are both great for promoting agility and endurance. Both styles have protective gear, like hand guards on the sword hilts, padding for chest and arm, and face guards.
There are three types of weapons in modern fencing: the foil, the epee, and the saber. The foil is the lightest in weight, with all contact being done with the tip. The heavier epee is also a thrusting weapon. The saber is the heaviest and is both a thrusting (with the point) and a cutting sword. Points may be scored with either the tip or the edge of the blade when using a saber.
The sport is open to men and women and also to children. Part of its appeal is its historic nature and its formal terminology. The attack, the riposte, and the parry are fencing terms that have found their way into the language. Many people love being part of the heritage of dueling like a pirate or a Musketeer, or leading a cavalry charge with up-raised saber.
There are many internet listings for lessons in the Lancaster area. Interested people might like to visit local martial arts centers or fencing clubs to see which style they would prefer to learn.
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