The best way to fence is with other people and under the supervision of a skilled professional.If you already have equipment and basic training, you can continue practicing at home.This may be a good time for you to focus on honing your skills.
Step 1: For stability, position your feet.
Your feet should be separated by shoulder length.Your body should be facing away from the opponent.The front foot should be facing your opponent.The back foot should be facing in the same direction as the front foot.Your feet should be 90 degrees from each other.This position allows for maximum stability, while allowing you to lunge as far and forward as possible with your front foot.To extend out to your toes, your knees should be bent far enough.As if sitting, your butt should be pushed downward.Make sure your front foot is in line with your blade.Maintaining accuracy is important.Proper fencing position requires some lower body strength, but allows for maximum mobility.Your right foot should be front foot if your right hand is dominant.If you have a dominant left hand, your left foot should be the front foot.
Step 2: Keep your distance.
If your goal is to stay far enough from your opponent that you are just out of reach from the tip of their sword, then you should always try to do so.It will take a lot of practice to understand how far this is.You need to be quick on your feet to maintain this distance.It leaves you in control until you are ready to strike, even if you can't lunge and hit your opponent.
Step 3: It is time to advance.
An advance moves you closer to the opponent.Your legs should always be shoulder length apart during the three step move.Lift your front foot and move it slightly forward.The toes on your foot should not be touching the ground.Move your back foot the same way you moved your front foot.As you move your back foot forward, lower the toes of the front foot so that you are no longer on the ball of your foot.This move flows like one fluid motion.
Step 4: There is a retreat.
As far as the advance, the retreat will move you backwards.The retreat allows for small movements that do not compromise stability.To land on the ball of the foot, begin stepping back with the back foot.Once on the ball of the foot, move the heels to the floor and let the front foot slide back.
Step 5: It's a Crossover.
The larger movement allows you to travel a greater distance at a faster pace.When moving forward, take your back foot and move it forward in front of and past your front foot.Take your front foot and move it past the back foot so that you can return to your resting position.The front foot should be behind the back foot when moving backward.If your feet are square with your shoulders, then move your back foot backwards.
Step 6: Lunge.
A lunge is a quick, long step forward that you use to reach as far as possible with your sword.If you want to perform a lunge, you have to step forward with your front foot and hit the ground first.You will need to recover quickly so as not to be vulnerable to a counter attack.How far you lunge depends on your skill level.If you want to cover the distance between you and your opponent, you should lunge as far as you can.If your leg strength is not enough to recover from that distance and return to your normal fighting position, then you should consider making a more modest lunge.Pull your front leg back as quickly as possible by bending the back knee.The retreat step is to make sure that your opponent doesn't advance quickly on you.When lunging, your back arm should be straight with your shoulders, instead of facing up.As you lunge, this will help you maintain your balance.
Step 7: Get in shape.
You need cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, and core strength to excel at fencing.Some of this can be obtained by extensive practice with fencing, but additional exercise can enhance your fencing ability as well.Consider jogging for endurance.Core strength practice includes sit ups, plank, slobber, and bicycles.Consider squats and lunges for leg strength.
Step 8: Practice.
Fencing involves a lot of coordination.If you want to master quick, seamless, and balanced motion, you should practice the footwork.To keep up a fast pace of movement, you should work up the endurance.There is nothing natural about fencing.It will take a lot of practice to master.Do not give up because you can't seem to master the movements, if you are serious about fencing.You shouldn't be able to perform them initially.It is a good idea to practice in front of a mirror.
Step 9: You should position your arms correctly.
The back arm should be positioned behind your body with your bicep parallel to your shoulders and your forearm bent upward, as if in a curl position.Your front (sword) hand should be facing forward, with your elbow away from your body.The palm of your hand should face up toward the ceiling if you open up your back arm.To control your sword, use your dominant hand.You should use your left hand if you are ambidextrous.Left-handed fencers have an advantage because it is difficult for their opponents to adjust to their fighting styles.
Step 10: The sword should be lightly touched.
It is difficult to get full wrist motion with a firm grasp of the sword.Use the thumb and first two fingers only to lightly secure the sword, allowing for easy flicks of the wrist.To align your sword with your arm, keep your hand straight.If your forearm is not aligned with the sword, it will be more difficult for inexperienced fencers to bend the hand.
Step 11: Use small wrist movements.
If you rear the sword all the way back behind your head, you can put all of your body weight into a slash.If you were to use a real sword in fencing, it would probably hurt, but it makes all your attacks obvious.Keep your arm straight and use your wrist to make all of your movements.
Step 12: First, push with your arm.
A thrust is when your arm and leg move forward to reach something.Your attack will be telegraphed by the leg.Instead of doing both motions at the same time, focus on moving the arm slightly before moving your leg.
Step 13: It's good to practice accuracy.
Ensuring that you can thrust the sword exactly where you need to in order to penetrate your opponent's defenses is a point of good body alignment.You should be able to hit a dime when you thrust.Pick a small target and practice hitting it over and over again to see if you can hit it.Try to verify your form if you are still not able to thrust accurately.You can see if you are using the correct form by looking in the mirror.You should make sure that your front leg is aligned with your sword, that the sword is in your forearm and that you elbow is close to your body.You should practice twisting the sword with your wrist.This sort of motion is important for disengaging your sword from your opponent's sword, freeing you to attack when you have become tangled up.
Step 14: You can train with a partner.
There is no substitute for working with a partner.Understanding when to make your moves, appropriate distance from an opponent, and keeping your feet on the ground can only be learned with someone else.A friend is willing to join you in your practices.
Step 15: Fencing equipment is expensive.
You can save money by going to a professional club.Purchasing equipment before you know you can fence is a waste of money.Around $250 is the cost of your fencing outfit.A visit to a fencing club, including professional instruction, equipment rental, and the opportunity to compete against other members, will cost between $20 and $50.
Step 16: Do you think it is dangerous?
While safe in a controlled environment with professionals, an untrained person could easily hurt herself when fencing.You should not fence at home if you don't have the proper equipment.
Step 17: If you want to fence alone, ask.
There isn't much to do swinging a sword by yourself.Fencing is about interacting with other people and people with different fighting styles.
Step 18: The impact of a mentor should not be forgotten.
Fencers need precise posture.Since there are relatively small differences in body position, it can be hard to observe yourself and correct mistakes.A professional observer will most likely give you feedback.If you watch fencing for form, you can compensate for the absence of a mentor.If you want to learn more about fencing form, you can watch instructional videos online.Professional fencers can be seen in fencing contests to see how they fence.
Step 19: Look for alternatives.
Some universities have fencing programs.If your school has fencing, check it out.You can look for a fencing club.Local fencing clubs can be found in many areas.An instructor who can help you master your skills and a group of people who you can compete with are typically included in these.