Beginning fencers have lot’s of questions about the basics of fencing.

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• Beginning Foil Class Study Guide The 10-page Study Guide for the Beginning Foil Class is HERE.  You will need the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader software. This hand-out has been prepared by myself (Jon Spryer) and Roger Van Denhende. Please print it off for your class.  If you cannot print...
• Safety Fencing is a very safe sport but only as long as sensible behavior is followed. Fencers must always be masked at weapon point forward. Inspect masks and weapons each time you choose them and inspect tips occasionally during bouts. Do not use defectiv...
• Appropriate Clothing Ensure your clothing is sturdy, snug fitting yet allows freedom of movement. No skin should be visible when fencing. Shoes should be athletic shoes designed for multidirectional movement like cross-trainers or tennis shoes. Running and walking shoes are n...
• Parts of the Foil The primary components of the foil are the blade and the handle. The blade is steel and consists of two parts. The blade proper which extends from the guard, is quadrangular and tapers to the blunted tip (aka: button), and the tang which runs through t...
• The Salute Assume first position. Sweep the foil into line with your opponent's chest with a circular motion from rear to front and from low to high, blade and arm forming a straight line parallel to the floor, hand in sixth position. Flex the elbow and bring t...
• Lunge A lunge is the most basic and common attacking movement in modern fencing. This description adheres basically to the French school of fencing, and describes the legwork involved. The actions of the hand/arm/blade are considered separately from this discus...
• On Guard   From first position, sweep the foil upward in a circular motion, from rear to front and from low to high, while simultaneously sweeping the rear arm in an identical fashion but in the opposite direction. Conclude these circular movements with b...
• Positions Prime - Parry #1 - Blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. The point is lower than the hand. Covers the inside line, generally the inside high line (though it can be used to cover the inside low line). Seconde - Parry #2 - blade down and to the out...
• Italian Grip The Italian grip is rarely used today in sport fencing but is common among classical fencers. Advocates say that it has most of the French grip's agility with a much greater degree of power and stability. The Italian grip consists of a straight handle, a ...
• French Grip The French grip is contoured to the curve of the hand. Compared to the other primary grip used in modern sport fencing, the pistol grip, the French is thought to have greater speed and maneuverability, but less strength and stability. The French grip also...