Fencing

Test your nerve and challenge your reactions as you learn the art of fencing

Hints and tips

Remember your stance, perfect your balance, and feel the blade swish through the air as you dual with your opponent. With expert advice from our instructors, increase your agility and flexibility as you live out those imaginary sword-fighting adventures of your childhood.

• Stance

  Getting the ‘En-garde’ stance right will give you a head start against your opponent! Have your feet together at the heel, forming a right angle with your toes shoulder-width apart with the knees bent significantly. The weapon should be held slightly away from the body with the blade facing slightly upwards. Your other hand should be behind your body with the elbow bent and slightly below shoulder level.

• Footwork

  With so much of fencing being about timing, it pays to have fancy footwork! Try the ‘lunge’, a common way of delivering an attack where you reach forward with your front foot and straighten your back. Remember to keep your balance!

• Bladework

  There’s an exciting multitude of attacks and defences that can be made against your opponent. From straightforward simple attacks and crafty feints to simple parries and quick counters, combine your fast feet and swift thinking to land a hit or launch your return attack!