Fencing is a sport of skill and precision. It’s a popular activity in countries like France, Italy, Hungary, and Germany. Their fencers are household names, and there are fencing matches on TV, schools for the sport, and fencing leagues.
But in New Zealand, a lot of people may not be as familiar with the sport. This is changing, however.
What is Fencing?
Fencing is a sport that involves using a sword to score points against your opponent. It is one of the oldest sports in the world and was included in the first Summer Olympics in 1896. It is a popular sport in many European countries, including France, Russia, and Italy. Many of these countries have dedicated fencing schools and competitions. In these countries, fencers are household names. You may even see them on T.V or read about them in books. On the other hand, there are countries where fencing is less popular. Fencing is not well known outside of Europe.
Where is Fencing Invented?
Fencing has evolved from a form of armed combat into a sport that emphasizes agility, speed and endurance. The sport was popular in 16th- and 17th-century England where it was a fashionable martial art and a staged form of entertainment. In the seventeenth century Domenico Angelo introduced new rules that made the sport safer and more strategic. These changes helped make the sport more popular and less deadly.
Modern competitive fencing is regulated by the FIE. All fencers must wear a mask, glove, trousers or knickers, white stockings, flat-soled shoes and a jacket. They also wear a lame of conductive material that covers their target area and a body cord to allow the scoring apparatus to differentiate on-target hits from off-target ones. A touch on an off-target surface stops the bout but does not score a point. There are also rules of priority that determine who has the right to attack first. Before the introduction of electronic scoring equipment, four judges determined whether a hit had been made. Two judges stood behind each fencer, while a director observed from several meters away.
Where are the Best Fencers From?
Fencing Matakana is a sport where split-second decisions must be made, on the piste, in front of an opponent. Fencers learn to make the best of a situation and discover they are mentally & physically stronger than they thought. They are cheered on by their teammates & support from the crowd.
There are a lot of different ways to teach fencing and each coach has their own style. Sometimes this can be confusing for newer fencers. One coach might teach a high line parry with circle 6 while another coach may teach it with circle 3. This can cause confusion and even frustration for the developing fencer.
JF Fencing School brings a level of coaching unique to New Zealand. Judit graduated as a Physical Education and Recreation, Health and Sport Science Teacher from ELTE University in Budapest, Hungary in 1999. She brought this level of skill to New Zealand where she has raised many National and International Champions over the past 10 years.