45. Individual Foil Fencing

Event: Individual Foil
Date: 28th February 2014
Location: Colchester and District Fencing Club, Gilberd School, Colchester
Cost: £25 for one month membership
Rules: Individual fencing bouts last for three periods of three minutes each, or until one fencer has scored 15 hits against their opponent. In the event of a tie, athletes fence for one more minute with one randomly assigned 'priority'. The first to score a hit is the winner, but if no hits are scored the 'priority' athlete wins the bout. Hits are recorded electronically, and are scored by hitting the opponent with the tip of the weapon. Foil is a light weapon derived from the court sword, and foil fencing has strict right-of-way and timing rules. The torso is the target area. 

   

The Event:

 

Scores:

Ellie: 15

Sarah: 12

 

London 2012 Winner: Elisa Di Francisca, Italy.   

 

Comments:  

Sarah: It was time for our last fencing bout. I was determined to make my short arms and legs land some hits, and was definitely thinking more about my lunges and posture. I still felt a bit confused about the right-of-way scoring in Foil, and once again decided to just go for it and see what happened! We've only been fencing for a month, and I think we've both really advanced in that time. Today's match was closer than the others, and we were both thinking much more about our tactics and form, and the footwork seemed to come a bit more naturally. We're going to miss the CADs, and have had such a fun time learning the techniques and differences between the three different swords.

Ellie: It was during this last fencing bout that I realised that I was trying to force Sarah into doing things. I was looking to encourage a shot, to parry this and then get a clear shot at her chest - which seems to be a theme running through our recent events (sorry Sarah). I also tried to be a lot be more lunge-y and take advantage of the length of my body rather than rely on the speed of my (slow) feet. It's both encouraging and a pity that this awareness of tactics has come now. I'm happy that I'm not concentrating on my footwork or body positions as much anymore but it's a shame that we now have to leave fencing! 
We have had a great experience and this is completely down to the people at our chosen club. The coaches have been spirited, the fencers have been accommodating, the parents have been encouraging and we've had some great newcomers to work alongside too. I'd urge anyone that is looking for a physical and mental challenge that is out of the ordinary to look no further than fencing.

We couldn't have been made to feel more welcome by the CADS; the coaches, the fencers and the parents were all amazing and so encouraging, they really got involved with our Challenge, and we can't thank them all enough!

We're obviously biased, but we can't think of a better club to contact if you'd like to take up fencing. Plus they have cake sales on the last Friday of the month! Their website has more info: http://www.colchesterfencing.com/