Loughton Fencing Club

The warm up. This is not a work out, but is a series of exercises, which vary each week and are intended to raise the heart rate and exercise the muscles which are going to be used most when sword fencing that session. In particular, the calf and thigh muscles are very important is sword fencing, likewise the arm and trunk muscles. A warm up typically lasts no more than ten minutes. A useful part of the warm up is a game known as "The President Says." This is similar to the game "Simon Says", with a coach being the president. The coach calls out instructions such as "Take two steps forward" but you may only move if the magic words "The President says" precede the instruction. This game is intended to sharpen reflexes and aid concentration, both important in sword fencing.

Foot work.

Part of the warm up comprises detailed exercises involving the movement of the body backwards and forwards in a controlled way. This allows a sword fencer to attack and retreat as necessary during a bout in an orderly manner, without losing balance. The sword fencer can pace the bout and maintain the desired distance from the opponent using footwork. There are also technical rules to be observed, such as that with sabre sword fencing, the feet and legs must not cross each other.

Suiting up and arming.

The warm up is conducted in t-shirt and track suit or similar bottoms. Once it is over, it is necessary to put on the protective kit before any sword fencing can take place with weapons. The weapons are then selected for the chosen bout.

Sword fencing and separating into seniors and juniors for combat. Although seniors and juniors sometimes fence each other, usually two main groups form, broadly corresponding to adults and younger sword fencers. However, senior and junior sword fencing takes place side by side.

Coaching.

There are two experienced coaches at Loughton Fencing Club. Coaching takes place individually, in pairs and in groups. Instruction is also given by Alan, Aubrey and any sword fencer who steps into the breach.

Free fencing engagements.

There is always an opportunity either after coaching or even earlier to challenge an opponent to a bout. These individual contests are not run formally or as part of any internal organised competition and are very much up to the individual sword fencers.

Beverage breaks.

There is time for a drink and a chat.

Warm down - formal - juniors only.

At the end of the session, often there is an organised warm down for the juniors, to help them to relax after a good deal of exercise and to allow their muscles to recover naturally. The seniors tend to warm down by virtue of the fact that they simply cease to fence!