Fencing Club blog back online

Madam Secretary apologizes for the hiatus of the blog these many months. The elections last fall resulted in the rise of M. Zeller to the presidency, K. Sosebee to the Treasury, and the continuation of A. Cossette as the Secretary.

Fall 2006 Fencing Club Elections

results...

President. N.Ryan

Secretary. A.Cossette

Treasurer. M.Zeller

February Fight

I. Mr. M. Zeller vs. Mr. E. Hill. (5-4). Foil.

II. Mr. B. Gibson vs. Mr. B. Flint. (5-4). Foil.

III. Mr. N. Ryan vs. Mr. President. (7-5). Saber.

IV. Mr. G. Evans vs. Mr. Instructor. (5-4). Foil.

V. Mr. M. Zeller vs. Ms. Secretary. (7-4). Saber.

VI. Mr. G. Evans vs. Mr. E. Hill. (5-3). Foil.

VII. Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. M. Zeller. (7-6). Saber.

VIII. Mr. B. Flint vs. Mr. G. Evans. (5-3). Foil.

IX. Mr. N. Ryan vs. Ms. Secretary. (7-5). Saber.

X. Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. M. Zeller. (7-6). Saber.


Starting weapon
When teaching fencing, instructors often start new fencers with the foil. Because of its origin as a training weapon, the foil comes with a set of rules, technique and conventions that translate easily to the epee and sabre. As students become comfortable with the concepts of fencing, they can switch to the other weapons. Many students opt to stay with foil, however, and it is frequently the most popular weapon at tournaments.
In recent times, high-level fencing has been increasingly taught by weapon specialists, and the "foil-first" approach has been challenged by the successes of fencers who only ever fenced Sabre or Epee.~
http://www.whatisfencing.com/article.htm?itemid=16

LOTS of Fight

After modified drills:

• I. Ms. E. R. Cockerham vs. Ms. K. Graupner. (5-3). Foil.

• II. Mr. M. Zeller vs. Mr. B. Flint. (5-4). Foil.

• III. Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. President. (5-4). Foil.

• IV. Mr. N. Ryan vs. Ms. Secretary. In which both parties took full advantage of weaknesses. (7-6). Saber.

• V. Ms. Treasurer vs. Ms. B. Kneynsberg. Which was an instructional match for everyone. : ) (5-3). Foil.

• VI. Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer. (7-2). Saber.

• VII. Ms. Treasurer vs. Mr. N. Ryan. (7-6). Saber.

• VIII. Mr. M. Zeller vs. Mr. B. Gibson. (5-1). Foil.

"From what I could see, which was kind of nil, he hit him!" ~ Ms. Treasurer during III.

A Shorter Night

Back from break and new records set.

• First Bout: Mr. E. Hill vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary proves that saber technique is terrible for foil. (5-0). Foil.

• Second Bout: Mr. N. Ryan vs. Mr. K. Ly. (5-2). Foil.

• Third Bout: Mr. E. Hill vs. Mr. M. Zeller. (5-4). Foil.

• Final Bout: Mr. N. Ryan vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary proves that saber drills do help with saber. (7-6). Saber.

After which, Mr. Instructor demonstrated the basics of Saber to several promising new recruits, and Mr. Z. broke another saber blade.

"Real fencers know that I can’t keep form, and the PHC fencing club makes me their instructor." ~Mr. Instructor Lorrig*

*He can keep form quite well during a match.

After the Hiatus

Since the fencers were unanimously desirous of fighting, the drills were once again shortened and the fighting commenced.

• First Bout: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Secretary. (7-4). Saber.

• Second Bout: Mr. President vs. Mr. E. Hill. (5-3). Foil.

• Third Bout: Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. P. Kamakawiwoole. (5-3). Foil.

• Fourth Bout: Mr. G. Evans vs. Mr. B. Flint. In which is seen most unusual and creative footwork. (5-4). Foil.

• Fifth Bout: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer. In which was seen how aggressive a fencer can be made after the mention of a troublesome class. In which was also demonstrated that fencing swords can break. (7-5). Saber.

• Sixth Bout: Mr. N. Ryan vs. Mr. President. In which the president was soundly beaten and both parties received minor injuries. (7-2). Saber.

• Seventh and Final Bout: Ms. Treasurer vs. Ms. Secretary. (7-4). Saber.

"Weapons: Weapons should be regularly checked to ensure they are in a safe usable condition.
Blades: Blades should be observed and tested to see whether any portion is "soft", that is to say whether any portion of the blade bends more than the rest. "Softness" indicates a dangerous weakness which may lead to a break A 'soft' portion is indicated when a blade bends into an irregular or uneven curve. The portion which bends more than the rest is 'soft'. A new blade should be tested by placing the point on the floor and depressing the top about six inches and checking that it bends evenly. Blades can be checked similarly during the non-fencing breaks in a bout. " ~http://www.shakespearesswords.co.uk/safety_guidelines.htm

A Quiet Night?

For the first time, Mr. President N. Bolzman led drills after Mr. Instructor J. Lorrig had led warm-ups. Happily, Mr. President taught new and interesting moves. Interestingly, Mr. Instructor did not completely demonstrate his superiority in the drills. Unfortunately, Mr. President will need to learn projection before he will be able to effectively lead drills on a consistent basis.

Due to the conflicting schedules, here follows a shortened and incomplete account of the night. Additions are welcome.

• First match: Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. B. Flint. In which Mr. Flint holds his own remarkably well (5-3). Foil.

• Second: Mr. President vs. Mr. G. Evans. Which transpires much as expected (5-1). Foil.

• Thrid: Mr. President vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary displays her taste for blood and Mr. President demonstrates his taste for metal (7-3) Saber.

"Foil technique emphasises strong defence and the killing attack to the body." "Sabre technique emphasises speed, feints, and strong offence." "Fencing is one of the safest sports, yet gives a wonderful, stimulating workout of body and mind."

http://www.shakespearesswords.co.uk/starting.htm

A Night of Fight

Due to the lack of members, the instructor (with the Secretary heartily in concurrence) called off the drills. Instead, there were various and sundry matches.

• First match: Ms. K. Graupner vs. Ms. Secretary A. Flowers. Or rather a rematch, in which Ms. Secretary nearly redeemed herself. (5-4). Foil.

• Second: Mr. Instructor J. Lorrig vs. Mr. E. Hill. In which Mr. Hill nearly held his own. (5-3). Foil.

• Match the Thrid: Mr. G. Evans vs. Mr. K. Ly. A close match with a twist at the end. (5-4). Foil.

• Fourth of the night: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary had her first taste of hard knocks, both given and received. (7-2). Saber.

• Fifth: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer G. Farris. A match of questionable outcome due to poor directing by a complete novice, Ms. Secretary. (7-5). Double Sabers.

• Sixth: Mr. E. Hill vs. Mr. S. Swendsboe. In which it is proved that hakama do not help fencers. (5-0). Foil.

• Seventh and final: Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. N. Ryan. (7-6).

"The 'right of way' principle in foil and sabre is that the first person to properly execute an attack has priority. Simply put, if one is attacked, one must defend oneself before counterattacking -- rather than attempting to hit one's opponent even at the risk of being hit oneself. Attacks can be made to fail either by bad luck, misjudgement or by action on the part of the defender. A properly executed parry (deflecting the incoming attack with one's own blade) causes priority to change and the defender has the opportunity to attack (riposte). The original attacker must counterparry the defender's reposte before attacking again, but if the parry is ineffectual (malparry), if the riposte misses, or the defender hesitates before riposting, the attacker can continue his attack (remise or redoublement ) without counterparrying." http://www.arthistoryclub.com/art_history/Fencing#Right_of_way

A Long Night

Commendations for good drilling both on the part of the fencers and instructor.

Bouts I-IV were for the purpose of instruction on foil (experienced fencers vs. novices). These were followed by entertaining matches on saber.

• I. Mr. Instructor Lorrig vs. Mr. J. Nichols. (5-3).

• II. Mr. President N. Bolzman vs. Mr. P. Kamakawiwoole. (5-2).

• III. Mr. M. Davis vs. Mr. E. Hill. (5-1).

• IV. Ms. K. Graupner vs. Ms. Secretary A. Flowers. (5-1).

• V. Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. President. In which Mr. Instructor takes revenge for the last week (7-6).

• VI. Mr. N. Ryan vs. Ms. Treasurer G. Farris. (7-4).

• VII. Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer. (7-6).

A. Flowers ~ Secretary

"The secret to fencing consists in two things: to give and to not receive." ~Molière

Most Recent Events

These are the records of Friday night's significant events.

• First Bout: New to the club, Mr. G. Evans victor vs. Mr. B. Gibson. Fairly evenly matched (5-3). On Foil.

• Second: Mr. M. Davis vs. Mr. Instructor J. Lorrig. It would seem the instructor was instructed (5-1). On Foil.

• Third: Ms. G. Farris vs. Mr. N. Ryan. Excellently matched though convincingly won (5-4). On Saber.

• Fourth: Mr. President vs. Mr. Instructor. In which the Instructor redeemed himself (7-6). On Saber.

Due to certain complaints from fencers at large, I will hereafter discontinue the practice of recording the longest lunge. Regardless, it would appear that the maximum duration of a lunge which the fencers may endure is somewhere below 3 minutes. If the instructor makes a regular practice of requiring such extended stretching, then it is likely that he will be more consistently ignored or perhaps even deposed.

A. Flowers ~ Secretary

"Fencing is a metaphor for life. Attack, parry, respond, defeat, retreat, timing, distance, these elements of fencing are all skills of life." http://www.sport-fencing.com/fencing.htm

General Records

These are the night's significant events.

• First Bout: Mr. President Nicholas Bolzman victor vs. Faculty Club Sponsor Dr. G. T. Smith. Won by a lead of three points (5-2).

• Second: Mr. N. Isley victor vs. Ms. A. Flowers. Without contest (5-0).

• Third: Mr. K. Ly victor vs. Mr. M. Zeller. Won by two points (5-3).

• Fourth: Mr. N. Ryan victor vs. Faculty Club Sponsor. Nicely matched (5-4).

Mr. Instructor Lorrig's longest spiel during a lunge 1 minute 45 seconds (official approximation). Unofficial estimation: 9 minutes 59.99 seconds (pain and discomfort included in the calculations.)

A. Flowers ~ Secretary

Another Year

We're back again for another year of fencing. Last night's meeting saw a good turnout of around twenty-two eager fencers, and the new members got to take turns at attempting to impale each other.

The meeting also featured our election for the offices of President, Treasurer, and Secretary for the 2005-2006 year. N. Bolzman was elected President, replacing J. Lorrig who will stay on as Instructor. G. Farris, who presided over the club in it's infant first year, has returned to fill the office of Treasurer. A. Flowers will follow me as Secretary.

With this post, I turn over the running of this Blog to our new officers, and wish them success in the coming year.

Repectfully yours,

E. Holmes, Secretary

The Battle Line

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Don't they look rather like a battle line? Quite fearsome.

* * *

Club Shots

Wow, what a snappy looking group. Out to slash each other again I see.



And what do I see here? Looks as though there's some instructing in poking and counter-poking going on. Be carful that you don't poke out somebody's- nevermind.







And the fearless Miss Farris looks on, weapon in hand.

Shall We Fence?

This is Holmes to anyone out there- hello? Is any one out there? Do you receive? Anyone?

...Hello?






Well, we've been deprived of some good fencing time lately due to a few rather nasty twists and turns of the academic (and very non-academic) calendar. When last we really met, however, there was some excitement. People were trying out sabers, the Instructor's Team trounced the former President's Team in some lovely "Guard the Parking Space" fencing games, and general felicity abounded.

Lately the club has graciously deferred to Eden Troupe's use of theTown Hall meeting space as their performance of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" drew near (an excellent play, by the way- if you've not seen it you really ought to go to the last performance tonight at 7:30).

But the long-suffering and patience of the club members is about to pay off. We shall begin regular meetings again, hopefully this next weekend or so. I have heard rumors that our esteemed Club President, aka the Black Prince, would like to move meetings from Friday nights to Saturday afternoons. What say you?

Holmes,
Club Secretary



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Fearless member number 8
Beware the snarl