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Introduction

Almost every child, at one time or another, has turned a stick or rollers (from wrapping paper) into a "magical" sword-like game. The DuelSafer Sword is designed to help students perform and appreciate some of the basic skills of foil fencing, while participating in a vigorous movement-oriented program.

The sword is a symbol of justice and authority dating back to the Iron Age. Swords have been used in the coronations of kings and queens and are the symbol still used to establish knighthood. The sword commends respect throughout the world.

Product Use There have been many fencing implements used throughout history from the times of "Zorro" to the "buccaneers." Each implement had its own unique purpose. The saber, for example, was used principally as a slashing weapon.

The DuelSafer Sword is designed to be used like the French foil, namely a thrusting weapon, with the objective of touching your opponent on the torso with the tip. To touch the opponent without being touched is the object of the game. This requires considerable skill and footwork.

Practicing the following activities will help your students to understand and accomplish the fun of fencing. Whereas the head, arms and legs are not targets for fencing opponents, care should be taken in the early stages of training to insure safety. For that purpose, we advise that safety goggles and foam ear protection be worn.

Activities

Fencing is much more fun if sufficient practice precedes the fencing bouts. Beginning with an opponent too soon leads to bad habits and insufficient skills needed to enjoy the sport. Fencing requires self-control and some understanding of the skills necessary to touch an opponent without being touched. Therefore, it is important to spend a great deal of class time in the first few days getting acquainted with the foil and the footwork. However, some fencing should be done at the end of every class to relate the drills to the reality of a fencing bout.

Gripping The Foil The saber may be gripped like a baseball bat and swung in a rigorous manner because its blade is used on an opponent, but the foil is a completely different weapon. The foil is gripped with the thumb pointed down the handle, toward the point. The forefinger is opposite the thumb in a trigger-like position, while the three remaining fingers rest lightly along the side. The forearm should be at approximately a 45� angle from the elbow joint.

The Alphabet
Once the parts of the foil have been introduced and the grip has been demonstrated, it is time to use the foil to write the alphabet and numbers. With each student in his/her "own space," guide them through a "BLOCK" letter alphabet skywriting. This activity is designed to get them acquainted with moving the tips of the foil, rather than gross arm movement. Cursive writing may follow, as well as outlining the numerals one through nine.

Wall targets letters may be placed around the gym as stations where the students practice a letter until told to move to the next station. Conclude this practice session with some fun as the Z is used to mark the sign of "Zorro."

The salute is part of the custom in a fencing bout and should be learned at this point. Stand erect with the heels together, the right foot pointing straight ahead and the rear foot placed at a right angle to the lead foot. From this position, bring the foil handle up to eye level and then smartly straighten the elbow to swing the foil downward.

Thrusting
Next in order of sequence of skills is the "on-guard" position. This is accomplished by returning to the salute position. Flex the sword arm enough to bring the foil point up to eye level, while maintaining a fairly straight line between the blade and the forearm. Bend the left arm and raise the elbow to about shoulder height. The forearm is for counter-balance and should be vertical, with the wrist flexed and relaxed. While holding the arms in this position, take a short step forward with the lead foot and bend the knees in a ready position.

The "on-guard" stance is designed to permit movement in forward and backward directions, and to allow the effective learning of an attack. The body weight should be evenly distributed onto both legs, with the foil about shoulder-width apart. The heels are in line, and the feet are held at a right angle.

Each student should have a ball on the floor in front of him/her and, using the tips of the foil, begin to thrust and propel the ball across the floor. This requires a light touch so the ball gently moves across the floor out of reach. The student should advance smoothly by using first the forward foot and then the remaining foot to reestablish balance. Yarn balls or partially deflated playground balls work best. Have partners fall off and attempt to move a ball against an opponent.

Target Touching
The ball-on-the-floor routine helped the student to establish the point of the foil as the most important point to control. It is now time for the student to coordinate that learned skill with the ultimate advance technique known as the "lunge." The lunge occurs when two fencers maintain the correct distance and neither can touch the other by merely reaching out with the arm and the foil. A long stretching step with the lead foot is required to be able to touch the target with the foil tips. This is the "lunge." It is a quick step with the lead foot, while aiming the foil at the opponent's torso.

The power comes from the rear foot to put the fencer in position to score a touch. If the lunge results in a touch, it makes no real difference how the fencer recovers, but if the attack foils, the fencer must be able to recover quickly. This is done by leveling the back knee and pushing hard backward with the lead foot. As the legs complete the recovery, the arms return to the on-guard stance. Wall targets may be used as workstations for practicing the lunge. The fencer should face the target in the "on-guard" position, execute a lunge with a point touch of the foil on the target and recover quickly.

Punching balloons may add a more active feature to this drill. A light thrust touch on the balloon that sends it up and back is designed so that an advance and lunge can be accomplished on subsequent thrust. Have students play this game with partners.

Partner Play
Pair off students of similar size, and have them practice lunge steps, first one, then the other. One partner agrees to go first and following the traditional salute with steps forward in an attack mode complete with a lunge and recovery to the "on-guard" position. Partners take turns in a choreographed bout, taking turns with the lunge and recovery as their partner practices retreat and "riposte" or return to action.

Encourage partners to practice an "advance-lunge-recover-and-retreat" sequence four or five times each to get acquainted with the elements of a fencing bout.

Defense
When being attacked, a fencer generally has two options. One is to retreat and cause the attack to fall short, and the other is to deflect the attacking blade. Moving the defending foil left and right to deflect an oncoming attempt to touch is called a "parry." A "heat attack" is a sharp blow given to the opponent's blade to momentarily knock it aside to create an opening.

Rules of Engagement

1. A fencing bout is conducted on an area similar to the drawing above.
2. A bout may consist of one opponent scoring 5 hits or touches of their opponent.
3. When using a timed bout, the fencer with the fewest touches is the winner.
4. Student judges may award hits or touches.
5. Contact made with the side of the blade never counts.
6. A touch to the torso begins at the collar, runs to the waist and the shoulder seams of the sleeve.
7. Whenever the rear foot of a retreating fencer reaches a warning line, a judge warns the fencer that a point will be awarded to the opponent if they retreat beyond the end line. Stepping on the sides is also a violation.
8. After a point, both fencers return to the on-guard line to resume the bout with a salute.
9. When two touches land at approximately the same time, the fencer who first extended may receive priority, or it may be ruled a tie and no points awarded.