Detailed below are a series of practice exercises, which may be attempted outside of the fencing salle. The aim of these exercises is to allow a fencer, who is only fencing once a week to improve their game outside of the presence of the coach.
This is a student's sheet, and presents the exercises to the fencer, a commentary, on the exercises is also available.
This exercise is taken directly from the Fencing.Net website. Each set of footwork is to be done continuously for 2 minutes, then take a 1-minute rest. When you reach the end of the piste, turn around and continue. These sets are to be done in series, so you should do all 7 sets in one session. As your conditioning improves, add another session or try to get your speed up a little more.
Remember you always have a choice of action, e.g. for the lunge:
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | |
| 1 | Extend | Step and Extend | ||
| 2 | Lunge | Step Lunge | Beat-Step Lunge | |
| 3 | Recover and Parry | Parry then Recover | Parry-Reposte then Recover | Parry –Reprise then Recover |
| 4 | Retreat |
Take one action from each row and combine them. Repeat for each combination. What differences do you find between the posibilities? Why would you use them? Note that the parry can be lateral or circular. What other actions could be included?
Watch yourself come Engarde at fencing distance against your reflection. Are you covered? Is the fencing arm cramped or over extended?
Recheck your guard position against the mirror – is it covered? How are your feet positioned?
Note that the excerise above can be repeated with any combination of foot and blade work, all that is needed is a list of actions.
| Foot | Blade | |
| 1 | Step Forward | Lateral Parry |
| 2 | Step Backwards | Circular Parry |
| 3 | Static | Semi-Circular Parry |
| 4 | Lunge/ Recover | No Blade Movement |
| 5 | Appel/ Balestra | Extension/ Return to Guard |
| 6 | Any combination of the above | Any combination of the above |
Roll a pair of dice and select one action from each column. Note this down and repeat ten times
Find a line and step up and down it. After every few steps check your feet. Try the following variations:
A fencing game to download is available at: http://www.cramphorn.co.uk/herts/download.html Start at novice level, and work up to champion level, or until you get bored. Watch the computer play itself. When is it vunerable? How does the computer react differently at different levels? What techniques can be used to overcome it? How does this translate into tactics?
List the variations to consider when executing a beat attack. Consider the differences between them, when they might be used, and how they can be countered.
Consider the following list of statements - the sort of information which maybe given to a fencer during a beginner's course. How many of the statements do you agree with? What exceptions to these rules can you think of, and when might they be used?
