Fencing is a sport of speed, quickness and reactions. In the sport, the athletes use a weapon called a foil to register strikes on their opponent. At the tip of the foil is an electronic button that registers every time it hits the opponent. Fencing is based on outstanding footwork and great speed and reactions. Exercises and drills can help prepare the fencer for the action.
Lunge and Retreat
These are two of the key moves in fencing and you often have to follow on with the other. Start by lunging forward, using your dominant leg to push forward. Do three straight lunges, making sure your heel hits the ground first and then your foot. Then retreat, with your toes hitting the ground first and then your heel. Do 10 of these full circuit moves, take a one-minute break and repeat the set.
Accuracy
Landing the tip of the blade exactly where you want it to go is the key to accuracy when landing a blow. To work on your accuracy, place three paper plates on the wall. The first plate should be at the level of the midsection, the next one should be 6 inches above it and the third should be 6 inches above that. The idea is to hit the lowest plate with three straight quick and accurate strikes, followed by the middle plate and then the one on top. This will improve your striking accuracy. Repeat the drill after you complete it, take a one-minute break and then do the set again.
Crossover Steps
The crossover steps are used when making a powerful attack or quick retreat with the foil. The key to attacking with crossover steps is to take large steps forward and backward. If you take smaller steps and move your trailing foot just 6 or 8 inches in front of your opposite foot, you have a good chance of getting your feet tangled and losing your balance. Move your trail foot at least 18 inches in front of your trail foot. In this drill, take three crossover steps forward and lunge with your foil. Then take three crossover steps backward to the starting position. Do this 10 times, take a one-minute break and repeat the set.
About this Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Football — The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
