Frequently Asked Questions about Learning to Fence

How old does a child have to be to start fencing lessons?: It depends a lot on the attention span and interest level of the child. Typically the minimum age is around 8 to 10.
Do you offer beginner group classes?: No. We prefer that beginners take individual lessons so that they can work directly with an instructor during the critical period in which their basic skills are being developed.
How long does a single lesson last?: This depends a lot on the skill level, the overall condition of the student, how rapidly the student can absorb the material, and which weapon is being fenced. Most lessons for beginners last about 20 minutes, but this may be longer or shorter depending on how the student absorbs the material and when they become physically and mentally tired. Sabre lessons are generally shorter than epee and foil lessons, but they are much more intense!
Can adults learn to fence?: Yes, although they often learn at a somewhat slower rate than children. We have several members who started to fence after watching their children's lessons!
What are the physical benefits of learning to fence?: Fencing is excellent exercise, especially for the legs and arms. It focuses the concentration and greatly improves hand-eye coordination. Competitive fencing is usually anaerobic activity since it is fast and intense—more like sprinting than long-distance running. Prolonged practice at a less intense level can also be aerobic. Fencing teaches discipline and commitment to an activity.; There are additional benefits that are important at any age, but which are especially vital for adults. Recent research into the molecular components of learning and memory is shedding new light on the value of a sophisticated training regime such as can be found in fencing. Specifically, a molecule designated NR2B is essential in the development of motor reflexes. This same NR2B also dramatically enhances memory and cognitive function.; The only time the body seems to make NR2B is when new motor skills are being acquired. Simple repetitive exercises do not do this. Adults are often entirely deficient in NR2B, which makes it difficult for them to learn new activities. Fencing and other martial arts can stimulate NR2B production in the adult brain and result in significant improvement in learning new skills. Research is currently assessing NR2B for its role in prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other brain-related dysfunctions associated with the elderly. Fencing is a potentially lifelong activity in which an essentially unlimited number of techniques and combinations of techniques and timing variations exist. Thus, the excellent physiological benefits of exercise are enhanced with intensely complex motor skill acquisition and its resultant elevated levels of NR2B.
How can I sign up for lessons?: The best thing to do is to stop by the club to watch some fencing to see what it is like. We will show you the different weapons and describe a little bit about each one, and then you can watch some different types of fencing. Please make your presence known to us so we can talk to you. Don't just lurk in the doorway—ask to see the club president or one of the other officers! We are a friendly group and don't mind being interrupted if we don't notice you right away.
What weapon should I start with?: Traditionally beginners would always start with foil. This is not necessary, however. If you know that you are really interested in epee or sabre, it is best to start with that weapon. If you have no preference, foil is good for basic skill development, and it is also easier to switch to epee or sabre from foil, rather than vice versa. If you are interested in quickly getting into competition, you might find epee the most satisfying since there is no right-of-way (see below) so that epee bouts are scored most objectively. We always show prospective members the three different weapons and discuss the various traits of each one.; See Weapons Disciplines at Durendal for a description of the three Olympic-style fencing weapons (foil, sabre and epee), and the historical weapons rapier-and-dagger and hand-and-a-half sword.
How long does it take to learn how to fence?: One can study fencing for a lifetime and still learn new things and refine one's skills! That is one of the most enjoyable aspects of fencing. A person can learn many of the basic skills in an average of about 12 lessons. After this, the fencer can start working with other members of the club and try to apply what is learned in the lessons against actual opponents. At high skill levels, fencing is a mental game as well as a physical one, where the fencers are trying to set each other up and trick each other into making mistakes that can be taken advantage of.
Is competition the ultimate goal of training?: Many clubs see competition as the sole goal of learning how to fence. We have a different philosophy. We see competition as a tool to gauge one's mastery of the art. Skills are learned in the lessons, they are then tested and refined in the club against other club fencers. Going to a tournament and fencing people from other clubs in a more stressful environment provides a further opportunity for learning and honing one's abilities. The winning of bits of medal and plastic is not as important as the lessons learned, including the ability to lose graciously.
What is right of way?: In foil and sabre, certain conventions must be satisfied before a fencer can earn a point— the fencer must take the right of way, or seize priority, in order to score a point. An offensive action, such as an attack, must be defended against (usually with a block or "parry") in order to gain priority before a following offensive action can be delivered. These conventions were initially developed as a tool to teach young gentlemen preparing for duels to protect their lives. In a duel it is not good to simply thrust into an opponent's attack, since both fighters would simply be killed! In a modern fencing bout, the referee decides who has priority when both fencers land hits. There is no priority in epee fencing—whoever hits first, gets the point. Epee fencing simulates rapier dueling in a later period when duels were fought to first blood instead of to death or serious injury.
Does it hurt?: Safety is a priority at Durendal, and fencers must wear the appropriate protective equipment for their level of activity. Fencers frequently get minor bruises—more so from free fencing with opponents than during the lessons. This is especially common with beginners as they make mistakes in distance and defense. Serious injuries are the exception, however, and fencers become quite accustomed to the minor discomforts. It is not uncommon for experienced fencers to compare bruises at the end of the evening! Mastering one's fear of getting hit is an important aspect of training. More serious injuries are pulled muscles or tendinitis, so it is very important to warm-up and stretch properly at the beginning of the evening.