SCOPE
This fencing unit is designed to teach fencing without the technical aspects of the sport. The games presented here were selected as ones that teach the basic concepts of attacking and defending, the simple principles of bouting and the important principal of "Right of Way". Teaching fencing, primeraly through games, is a fun way to introduce the sport to students while still providing an appropriate learning experience.

Technique is not emphasized in the unit plan since the program is only a few weeks in length. Rather, the purpose is to expose the students to the ideas of fencing and the basic principles that make the game so much fun. Throughout the unit, games are first used to introduce new ideas. Then, later in the session or in other sessions, the new concepts are taught in a more traditional way. Even terminology is not taught until after the students have experienced the actions which are described by the names. Adults tend to like having information first and then practicing. Youths would much rather play games and discover the ideas. The experienced fencing instructor will find that this unit format brings out the fencers natural body rhythms. The better students will make ballestras without realizing it. Such body rhythms come naturally if not inhibited by an imposed learning process.
A normal junior or senior high school physical education class lasts approximately 25 minutes. Not a great deal can be taught and practiced in such a short period of time. The unit plan provides only short periods for each item per session, but it repeats everything several times throughout the unit. This is done since most kids in American schools do not want to sit still or practice anything in Physical Education. Presentation of information and the practice of technique is kept short, games do not last long, but each time an item is repeated it will be learned better. By the end of the unit the students will know terms and will play the games with understanding. Most important, the students will be fencing.
The unit plan is designed for the teacher who has a minimum of five hours of fencing experience and who can use a basic text of fencing to supplement his/her knowledge. Instructors of any level will find the unit helpful since it teaches fencing in an untraditional but enjoyable way.

Lessons

LESSON ONE
1.Introduction to the sport of fencing
2.Brief history
3.The three weapons of fencing
4.Where fencing can be found in the community or about school team
5.Game 1 - Shoulder tap (p 7)
6.Following exercise (p 12)
7.Game 2 - One way fencing tag without foils (p 8)
8.How to put on equipment
9.Game 3 - Two way fencing tag without foils (p 9)
10.How to hold a foil
11.How to score a touch (p 11)
 
 
LESSON TWO
1.Review
a.Putting on equipment
b.Holding a foil
c.How to score a touch (p 11)
2.The On-Guard
3.How to touch (score) from On-Guard (p 11)
4.The touch with lunge (p 11)
5.The touch with lunge after following (p 13)
6.Game - One way fencing tag with foils (p 8)
7.Double tap exercises (p 14)
a. One or two taps
b. One or two taps, hard or soft
c. One or two taps, either side of the blade (disengage)
d. One or two taps, hard or soft, either side of blade
e. One or two taps or tap-thrust
f. One or two taps or tap-thrust lunge to touch
8.Game - Two way fencing tag with foils (p 10)
9.Brief competition - Two way fencing tag with foils (p 9 & 10)
 
 
LESSON THREE
1.Review
a. Holding a foil
b. The On-Guard
c. The touch from On-Guard (p 11)
d. The touch with lunge (p 11)
e. The touch with lunge after following (p 13)
f. Game - Shoulder tag (p 7)
g. Double tap exercises - One or two,hard or soft, either side of blade, tap-thrust lunge to touch (p 14)
2.Discussion - The two sides of a blade (p 18)
a. Four and six (p 18)
b. What are attacks and defenses (p 20)
3.Talk - Etiquette in bouting (p 18)
4.Game - One way fencing tag with foils (p 8)
5.Game -One way fencing tag with foils (direct attack and tap-thrust defense (parry 4 riposte)) (p 8)
6.Pendulum exercises (p 15)
a. Pendulum with disengage
b. Pendulum with disengage-thrust-lunge
7.Brief competition - One way fencing tag with foils, attack and defense (p 8 & 10)
 
 
LESSON FOUR
1.Etiquette in bouting (p 18)
2.Game - Two way fencing tag with out foils (p 9)
3.Competition - Two way fencing tag with out foils (p 9)
4.Review emphasizing form
a. The On-Guard
b. The touch from On-Guard (p 11)
c. The touch with lunge (p 11)
5.Competition - Two way fencing tag with foils (Direct attacks only, no defense) (p 9)
6.Double tap exercise -One or two, hard or soft, either side of blade, tap-thrust lunge to touch (p 14)
7.Game -One way fencing tag with foils (Direct attack and tap thrust defense (parry 4 riposte)) (p 8)
8.Game - Two way fencing tag with foils (Direct attack and parry 4 riposte defense) (p 9 )
9.Competition - "Duel of the Day" one touch, then end class (use game #8 above)
 
 
LESSON FIVE
1.Review
a. Pendulum exercise (p 15)
b. Pendulum with disengage (p 15)
c. Pendulum with disengage-thrust-lunge (p 15)
2.Pendulum with disengage-thrust, disengage-lunge (p 15)
3.Thrust, disengage-lunge (Feint Attack) (p 15)
4.Pendulum, thrust, disengage-lunge (p 15)
5.Talk - What is a feint and when to use one (p 15)
6.Game - One way fencing tag, Attack direct, tap-blade (parry) defense, disengage attack (feint attack) (p 8)
7.Talk - Rules of fencing
a. Strip shape (p 19)
b. Right to hit (Right of Way) (p 19)
c. Etiquette (p 18)
8.Game - Two way fencing tag (direct attack, parry 4 riposte, thrust-disengage attack (feint attack)) (p 9)
9.Competition - Two way fencing tag (direct attack , parry 4 riposte defense, feint attack) (p 9)
10.Competition - "Duel of the Day" one touch, then end class (same as game #9 above)
 
 
LESSON SIX
1.Review -
a. The On-Guard, advance, thrust, and lunge
b. Feint attack
2.Game - Two way fencing tag with foils (Direct attack only, no defense with the blade) (p 9)
3.Double Tap Exercises
One or two taps (hard or soft) or tap-thrust-lunge (p 14)
4.Game - One way fencing tag (direct attack, tap-thrust (parry 4 riposte) defense, tap-thrust counter defense (counter parry)) (p 8)
5.Game - Two way fencing tag (direct attack, parry 4 riposte defense, tap-thrust counter defense (counter parry riposte) (p 9)
6.One touch "Duel of the Day" competition using game #5 above, end class
 
 
LESSON SEVEN
1.Review
a. Pendulum exercise with disengage-thrust-lunge (p 15)
b. Feint exercises - Pendulum, thrust, disengage-lunge(p 15)
c. Etiquette (p 18)
2.Game - Two way fencing tag (Direct attack,parry 4 riposte defense) (p 9)
3.Game - Two way fencing tag, (Direct attack, parry 4 riposte defense, feint attack) (p 9)
4.Game - Two way fencing tag, Use all attacks in game preceding plus counter parries) (p 9)
5.Competition - Game #4 above
6.One touch "Duel of the Day" competition using game #4 above, end class
 
 
LESSON EIGHT
1.Discussion - Parry 4, parry 6, using in combination to stop compound attacks (p 16 )
2.Parry exercises: (p 16 )
a. Parry exercise to teach parry technique
b. Parry 4 riposte technique
c. Parry 6 riposte technique
d. Parry 4 to parry 6 riposte technique
e. Choice parry exercise - Direct or feint attack, parry 4 riposte or parry 4 to 6 with riposte
3.Game - One way fencing tag (Direct or feint attack, parry 4 riposte or parry 4 to 6 riposte) (p 8)
4.Competition - Two way fencing tag (Same as preceding game but, add attacker's counter parry riposte against a parry riposte
 
 
LESSON NINE
1.Discussion
a. Review "Right of Way" (right to hit) rules (p 19)
b. Etiquette (p 18)
2.Review
a. Parry 4 riposte technique (p 16 & 17)
b. Feint attack (p 15)
3.Game - Two way fencing tag (Direct or feint attack, parry 4 riposte or parry 4 to 6 riposte, counter parries by either fencer) (p 10)
4.Discussion - Tell how last game was really fencing with the only limitation on the number of moves known
5.Fence 2 touches and change opponents till end of class
 
 
LESSON TEN
1. Class competition -
Single elimination, double elimination or round robin for 1, 2, or 3 touch bouts, depending on class size
 
 

GAMES

 
SHOULDER TAP GAME
Basic Position: Two students face one another, standing in an on-guard position. Their right toes are on a line, to the side of each other, but not quite touching . Their weaponless hands are placed so the palms are three or four inches apart and facing one another.
The Game: Fencer "A" (using his right hand) taps Fencer "B's" right palm and then tries retreating before Fencer"B" can reach out with his own right hand and tap "A's" shoulder. Fencer "B" is allowed to simply reach out, reach and lunge, or advance with a reach and lunge. The goal is for fencer "B" to tap Fencer's "A's" shoulder before "A" can retreat away. Switch roles after a number of trys. (Vary hand positions accordingly if one fencer is left handed, fencers should be about the same height)
Additional Rules: Fencer "A" must be motionless prior to tapping and may not start a body movement such as leaning away or retreating prior to touching "B's" palm. Fencer "A" may take as many retreats as desired while "B" can take no more then an advance-lunge and "arm reach" (thrust).
Variation: Either person can touch the opponents palm first. Two points are given for touching the opponent's shoulder and one for escaping.
Terminology: The fencers have not yet been taught correct terminology, therefore normal day to day words should be used to describe this and other games. Once terminology is taught use both correct words and common everyday terms together to help the students learn the meaning of fencing terminology.
 
 
 
ONE WAY FENCING TAG - with & without foils
Basic Position: Two students face each other, standing in an on-guard position so that when they extend their right arms their fingers just touch. This is the correct game distance: they then return to the on-guard position.
The Game Without Foils: Fencer "A" is the attacker. He/she must touch the opponents stomach with his finger tips to win. The opponent, Fencer "B" must try to maintain the starting distance from "A" no matter how "A" moves. "B" is not trying to touch "A", he/she is just trying not to be touched. Fencer "A" advances and retreats, trying to confuse Fencer "B" as to which direction he/she is going, so as to tag Fencer "B". If Fencer "B" can constantly maintain the starting distance, "A" will never be able to score. Fencer "B" must seriously try to maintain the distance and not let it change. When the distance is too large "A" will never score, when it is too small "A" can always score. No parries are allowed.
To correctly score the attacker should fully reach out with his/her arm. This provides protection by keeping the opponent away from the fencers own target while still scoring. It also starts teaching the important concept of "Right of Way" A touch with a bent arm is not counted, but the arm is normally kept bent prior to each attempt to score.
The Game With Foils: The same game is played but this time with foils. The distance from which to start the game is when each foil point is approximately at the middle of the opponent's foil. Adjustments can be made for variations in height between the two fencers. The fencers must make a hit with the point of the foil blade, instead of with fingers, in order to score. In this game the blades may not be used for any defensive purposes. Change off the attacking and defending roles often.
The Game With Defense: The situation is the same as specified above, but now the defender can use his blade to defend before scoring. Both the attacker and the defender can score. One fencer may only attack (no counter parries), the other may only defend and riposte. The attacker is told which attack is allowed and similarly the defender is told which defense may be used. No other attacks or defenses are acceptable.
Additional Rules:
If the fencers have a great difference in height, the shorter one may start at a closer distance than the attacker. The taller fencer would start at a longer distance when it is his turn to be the attacker. It is best to have fencers of similar height working together, though this is not always the case in competition.
 
 
TWO WAY FENCING TAG - with & without foils
Basic Position: Two students face each other, standing in an on-guard position. They extend their arms and position themselves so their fingers just touch and then return to the on-guard position. This is the correct game distance
The Game Without Foils: Either fencer may be the attacker. Both fencers try touching each other's stomach with their finger tips to win. They basically maintain the starting distance as they move forward and backwards, but either fencer can advance or retreat as he/she wishes and may let the distance get shorter or longer for strategic purposes. Either fencer can attack at any time. If both fencers touch at the same time then the one to extend his arm first is the winner. However, a fencer may not leave his arm extended for more then the time it takes to make and advance lunge or two advances. The arm must then be returned to the normal on-guard position. No parries are allowed. (Be sure the fencers are not covering their stomachs with their arm in order to prevent the opponent from scoring. This is very common!)
The Game With Foils: The same game is played as specified above , but this time with foils. The distance from which to start the game is when the foil points are approximately at the middle of the opponent's foil. At this distance the game can start. The fencers may make valid hits only when the weapon arm is fully extended. In this game the blades may not be used for any defensive purposes. If both fencers touch the one to extend first scores, but again the arm can be left extended no longer then the time it takes to make and advance lunge.
Two Way Fencing Tag With Defense: The same rules apply as for the simpler games of "Two Way Fencing Tag" when no defense is allowed. Now, the fencers can use blade actions for defensive purposes. The actions allowed are specified in the lesson plan. No actions other then the ones specified for that particular exercise may be used.
In The Unit Plan: The attacks and defenses to be used are listed in each lesson plan, usually in this sequence :
A. the attack,
B. the defense against the attack, and
C. the attack against the defense.
 
 
ONE TOUCH COMPETITIONS "DUEL OF THE DAY"
The students fence until the first touch is scored. It may be used as an exciting way to end a class as a one touch "Duel of the Day" or the students can be rotated and fence another one touch bout with a different opponent. This may continue as many times as the teacher wishes.
 
 

EXERCISES

TOUCH FROM ON-GUARD & WITH LUNGE
A. The two fencers stand in a comfortable, "conversation" type of stance. Fencer "A" has his foil point touching the floor, Fencer "B" has his foil aimed at fencer "A". "B" then gently touches "A" stomach with the point of his foil and slightly makes the blade bend. This is a good touch. Repeat for ten touches.
Explain how the foil blade must bend (bow out) in the same direction the fencer's thumb bends. Also, state that a good touch occurs when the point end of the blade hits with enough pressure to slightly bend the blade. Greater pressure of the point scores, but is not necessary and hits with the side of the blade do not score.
Blades do break occasionally. Hitting correctly can cut the number of broken blades by four. Light relaxed hits never cause broken blades. Hits which bend the blade greatly, when the fencer simultaneously rotates or lowers his/ her hand, snap blades.
B. Two fencers stand in the on-guard position facing one another as if going to fence. Fencer "B" lowered his/her foil so the point is touching the floor. Fencer "A" extends his arm to full reach and then advances until the point touches "B" and the blade slightly bends. This is the thrusting distance. From this distance, the fencers take turns thrusting and hitting ten times each.
C. From the position used in ""B above, have Fencer "A" makes one retreat. From this distance, Fencer "A" should thrust and lunge to score. Each fencer takes ten turns thrusting and lunging.
 
 
FOLLOWING EXERCISE
Basic Position: Two students face each other, standing in an on-guard position.
The Exercise: Fencer "A" leads with Fencer "B" following. Fencer "A" advances, retreats or lunges as he/she wishes, making sure that the movements are slow and rhythmical.
Variation 1. - Their finger tips are touching each others (no weapons).
Variation 2. - Same as #1 above but they stay about three feet apart, still facing each other. (This exercise works especially well if an elastic or regular rope is held at either end by both fencers.)
Additional Rules: The leader must not move quickly from advance to retreat or vice versa, making it difficult for the partner to follow.
 
TOUCH WITH LUNGE AFTER FOLLOWING
Basic Position: This is the same exercise as the "Following Exercise" but, a lunge ending in a touch is added. It is done first with finger touching and then with both fencers holding foils. When holding foils the fencers should be at a distance where each point is at the middle of the opposing blade.
The Exercise: Fencer "A" advances and retreats randomly, but smoothly. Fencer" B" must follow "A's" advances and retreats. When "A" stops and puts his hand on his thigh (no weapon situation) or his point on the floor, "B" then thrusts & lunges hitting with his finger tip or the foil point. They return to the starting distance after hitting. The exercise is repeated any number of times, and roles may be changed whenever desired.
 
 
DOUBLE TAP EXERCISES
Basic Position: Two fencers on-guard, holding foils, facing each other, points at the middle of each others blade.
The Exercise: Fencer "A" demonstrates, "B" mimics. Each exercise (a to f) should be repeated 10 times by both fencers. After a fencer mimics, both fencers return to the original on-guard position to start the next action.
A. "A" taps "B's" blade once or twice, "B" mimics.
B. "A" taps "B's" blade once or twice using hard or soft hits, "B" mimics.
C. "A" taps "B's" blade once or twice hitting on either side of the blade (four or six sides, using disengage for six and returning to on- guard), "B" mimics.
D. "A" taps "B's" blade once or twice, hard or soft, on either side of the blade,"B" mimics.
E. "A" taps "B's" blade once or twice, or taps once and thrusts, "B" mimics.
F. Same as "e" above but "A" taps once, thrusts and lunges slowly (does not hit). "B" tap-thrust and scores.
 
Purpose: These exercises are designed to teach:
A. the difference between unnecessarily hard hits and adequate light hits,
B. how to disengage, and
C. how to hit the opponents blade followed by a touch immediately after (beats & parries).
 
 
PENDULUM EXERCISE (FEINTS)
Basic Position: Two fencers on-guard, holding foils, facing each other, points at the middle of each others blade.
Basic Concept: A feint attack is a false attack meant to force an opponent to block (parry) when it would be unwise to do so. The attack consists of two actions. The first is the false attack (an advance with a thrust) followed by the second action, a disengaging (avoiding) movement while lunging in to score. There are many forms of feint attacks but, they always consist of the false attack followed by the avoiding action and the hit.
The Exercise:
A. Fencer "A" repetitively moves his foil back and fourth, between parry 4 and parry 6. Fencer "B" has his arm extended and aims at the middle of "A's" jacket, disengaging each time to avoid blade contact, always making sure to return to the original aiming position. This is difficult at first and needs emphasis. There are no hitting actions in this exercise.
B. Same as "a" above with the fencer standing on-guard with his arm extended aiming at "A's" target. Fencer "B" can lunge and hit at any time after the second disengage (avoidance).
C. Same as "b" above but, fencer "A" is in continuous motion making one advance, one retreat, one advance, etc. while moving his blade in a pendulum like movement. All of "A" movements must be rhythmic. Fencer "B" must thrust-disengage-lunge-hit at any time after the second advance. This is best accomplished when "A" is advancing.
D. Both fencers are in a stationary on-guard. Fencer "A" slowly parries 4 to start the action, fencer "B" disengages and thrusts (feints), fencer "A" parries 6, fencer "B" disengages and lunges, "B" hits (This is called a 1-2 feint attack).
E. Both fencers in stationary on-guard. Fencer "A" thrusts direct, fencer "B" slowly parries 4, fencer "A" disengages and hits.
Important Hint: For all Pendulum exercises, especially the first few, it is important to over emphasize the need to make rhythmic blade actions without speeding up or slowing down. The blade should also move the same width every sweep (pendulum like motion). Otherwise, the exercise is too difficult for a new student.
 
PARRY EXERCISES
Basic Position: Two fencers on-guard, holding foils, facing each other, points about at the middle of each others blade.
Basic Concept: A parry is a blade action by a defender which blocks an attack and prevents it from scoring. After blocking it is normal for the defender to try to take the initiative and hit. This hitting action after a parry is called a riposte. A block to the forehand side is called a parry 4 and to the backhand a parry 6.
The Exercise:
A. Parry exercise for technique - Fencer "A" stands still with his blade half extended towards "B". "B" can then repetitively practice parrying without riposting (thrusting) or parrying and riposting without hitting. It is best not to hit at this time.
B. Parry 4 Riposte Exercise - Fencer "A" makes a direct attack (thrust lunge), falls a little short of "B's" target. "B", without rushing, makes a parry riposte and hits. "A's" blade should be deflected away from the target. It should not return to aim so that "B" may easily score.
C. Parry 6 Riposte Exercise - Fencer "B" starts from a position called Four-Guard. It means the fencer is on-guard with his hand position in a parry four position. This opens the target on his backhand or six line. The chest is still the part of the body being attacked, but on the other side of the defender's blade. From this point the exercise is the same as "a" above. "A" makes a direct attack, "B" makes a backhand, or parry six, and ripostes to hit. The riposte may be above or below the attackers hand.
D. Parry 4 to 6 riposte - Fencer "A" makes a thrust (feint). When "B" attempts to parry 4 (he should do so slowly), "A" slips under "B's" blade and lunges (do not score). "B" then makes a second block, parry 6, which is successful and is followed by a riposte to score. The riposte may be above or below the attackers hand.
Parries in combination are important for stopping attacks with several actions (compound attacks) such as a feint attack. The principle is very simple, if you are unsuccessful with the first parry, parry again.
E. Choice Parry Exercise - This exercise is a combination of exercises "b" and "d" above. Fencer "A" always thrusts and lunges, however sometimes he/she also disengages (slips under the opponent's defensive blade action) to avoid "B's" parry. The exercise proceeds as follows: "A" thrusts and lunges, letting "B" parry riposte (hit). Next attempt, "A" thrusts, disengages with the lunge to avoid "B's" parry. "B" having missed the parry (4) makes a second parry (6) which is successful and is followed with a riposte to score. The situation should seem somewhat random so the defender does not know if the first or second parry will be successful.
 

INFORMATION

 TWO SIDES OF A BLADE
A sword blade has two sides, right and left, best understood as forehand and backhand. There is also above and below the blade, but it is not important in this unit plan. We are concerned with above the blade for the forehand and backhand. Forehand is called the "Four Side", backhand is called the "Six Side" For either right or left handed fencers the four side is forehand, etc. The numbers four and six describe hand/blade positions. Most books in English have incorrectly described the fencing target area by giving it the names of the hand/blade positions. The chest can be either the four, six or both targets, depending upon where the hand/blade is at any particular moment.
 
ETIQUETTE IN BOUTING
The basic etiquette necessary when fencing outside of competitions is:
• Salute a new partner just before starting to fence or drill.
• When bouting, acknowledge touches when hit. Acknowledgement can be verbal (say "I'm hit")or nonverbal (Raise back hand with pointer finger extended, meaning one touch against me)
• A fencer must acknowledge that he/she is hit, never say to the opponent "you're hit". If neither fencer acknowledges a hit then none is counted.
• Shake with the unarmed hand (left hand for right handed fencers) when ending practice or when changing partners.
 
RIGHT OF WAY
Right of Way is the basic rule governing foil fencing. It was developed to help duelists preserve their lives. A simple description of Right of Way is:
A. If only one fencer hits, no matter why, he scores.
B. If both fencers hit at about the same time, the fencer who extended his arm first scores, the other fencer does not score. Who touches first does not matter, who extends the arm first is of greatest importance.
C. If the fencer extending his arm (attacker) has his blade tapped (parried) by the opponent and they both touch at about the same time, the fencer who tapped the opponent's blade scores. Again,who touches first does not matter, who extends the arm first and then who taps (parries) is of greatest importance. The defender would score this time.
D. If the fencer extending his arm has the blade tapped (parried) by the opponent, but taps back, then he/she is the fencer to score if they both touch. Actually, no matter how many taps (parries) are made, the last fencer to tap the opponents blade would score when both fencers touch. (Remember, no matter what actions occur, if only one fencer touches he/she scores.)
 
STRIP SHAPE (The Fencing Area)
New rules governing the strip shape were implemented in 1988. A strip is 14 meters long and two meters wide. On-guard lines are two meters from the center of the strip followed by the end lines five meters further back. A fencer retreating off the end of the strip with both feet provides a free touch for the opponent. When a fencers steps off the side of the strip with one foot the bout is stopped. The opponent is then moved forward one meter and both fencers are centered on the strip. A fencer moving off the strip with both feet cannot score.
 
WHAT ARE ATTACKS AND DEFENSES
Attack - An attack is the extending or thrusting motion of the arm towards the opponent. Though most people would think of an attack as the whole body moving towards the opponent, in fencing, only the action of the arm constitutes the action of attacking.
Defense - In foil fencing, the defense is also not what one might think. The rule book says that the point of the attacker's blade must be momentarily deflected away from the defenders body. This simple act of deflection may be a hitting or pushing motion of the opponent's blade and it gives the defender the right to score (right of way) if both fencers were to hit.
 

 
REFERENCE
Basic Fencing Technique And Teaching Styles In Fencing, Aladar Kogler, Unpublished, 1984. (The Double Tap Exercise and Pendulum exercises have been taken and modified from this text.)