Beginner's Hall

(back to The Salle)


Ok, whilst I get this up and running (which knowing me should take a while), I will leave a list of basic fencing vocab. This isn't a lesson, so I won't be going into details.

I do not encourage anyone to try these things out for real, unless you know what you are doing. I remind other fencers that fencing, even training, without a mask and plastron is dangerous and goes against every regulation across the globe. I will not be held responsible for anybody's tomfoolery. :D Most fencers do warmup drills with their arm in fencing position, but without a sword. This way, they don't have to worry about which way it's being pointed!

I invite you to try and use this vocab underneath the line break, and see if you can get the hang of "using" it in some role play. Just edit the page and try it out. Have fun, and if you need to, ask!


NEW= soon I will start to give structured lessons, but I want people to try things out for themselves first. We will be working on a simple course that should introduce you into fencing with about 10 or so days of training. [darkscribe].


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The following words and descriptions assume that the fencer is using a single-handed sword or knife. They still apply for two-handed blades, but with moderations:

"En Guarde": Basic fighting stance. Designed for maximum speed and ballance. More later.

Thrust: A basic stabbing attack. Usually made with the whole of the blade in line with the target. A thrust is aways made to connect, it's not a "poke" or a "tickle"; it's a good, powerful movement intended to kill or wound.

Parry: A block. There are many kinds of parry, but all follow the same principles. A parry is not a wild sweep, it must be controlled. The intention of a parry is to stop an opponent's attack making contact. It's not flashy and not complicated. Try and meet the weakest part (tip) of your opponent's blade with the strongest part of your own (nearest the handle). More on this later.

Riposte: This is the technical term for a reply to a parry, i.e "parry and riposte". Is usually a thrust, but sometimes a cut. A riposte, as opposed to a thrust, is the direct result of a parry, and for now should be thought of as part of the same move.

Cut: A basic attack with the edge of a blade. Cuts should be clean and calculated. Try not to swipe. Rather, aim for a limb and try to make a clean contact. Be prepared for a parry and reposte from your opponent.


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Practice here.

[windowframe] steps out of the shadows grinning, "time to make a fool outta' meself." Cecil, who she had managed to persuade to be her opponent, steps forward, they both adopt the on guard stance.

Cecil starts with a cut to [windowframe]'s right arm, Silver responds with a parry and riposte.

That's good! Dark thrusts gently at Silver.

Silver's eyes go dinner plate size "woah" she mutters as she uses another parry and riposte to thrust back at Dark.

Dark parries Silver's blade.

Ok, technically after each parry and riposte etc, they each have differenct names like "first counter attack" and stuff, but it's so boring, we won't go into it. You're doing pretty well.

^^ Silver decides to go on the offensive, and tries out a cut to Dark's left arm. Dark doesn't parry in time and Silver scores a hit to Dark's arm.

Dreamer comes into the classroom, but sees that the teacher is busy. "Maybe I should come back later?"

Never too busy for you dreamer. Want to have a go?

Silver can't believe she actually did something right, but seeing some one ese wants a go, she drags herself and cecil to the side, out of the way.

Dreamer adopts the on guard stance, then thrusts at Dark.

Dark parries and ripostes with a cut to Dreamer's shoulder.

Dreamer gets hit on the shoulder, then cuts at Dark.

Dark parries and stops for a breather.

Dreamer stays on guard and watches Dark warily.

Dark thrusts at Dreamer's waist gently.

Dreamer parries and ripostes with a thrust at Dark's arm.

That's really good Dreamer, well done!

Edana runs into the salle. "Sorry, I'm late." She wonders what she should do about an opponent.

I or anybody else can be your opponent for now Edana. I just want to see if you can use the vocab above.

Edana goes into the on guard stances and thrusts at Darkscribe.

Dark parries and ripostes to Edana's chest.

Edana parries and ripostes with a thrust to Dark's abdomen.

Mirime enters holding her sword and issues a challenge.

Dreamer takes the challenge and becomes on guard.

Mirime holds still warily for a moment, eyeing Dreamer, then darts in and aims a cut at Dreamer's side before leaping back and bringing her sword up in the middle guard stance.

Dreamer parries and ripostes with a thrust at Mirime's middle.

Mirime parries easily and executes a riposte to thrust at Dreamer's thigh.

RiverStar enters smiling.

Dreamer jumps to the side, then cuts at Mirime's arm.

RiverStar laughed, "Great, get to watch my friends going at it."

"Well try it for yourself RiverStar".  Dark salutes RiverStar and faces her, on guard.

RiverStar grabs herself a sword and quickly gets into on guard stance, smiling the whole time.

Mirime takes the hit and steps back to examine the wound. "A shallow cut, nothing more," she says, and raises her sword into the guard stance.

Dreamer grins, then thrusts quickly at Mirime's legs.

Mirime dances aside and brings her sword down to parry, and flicks her wrist to aima cut at Dreamer's side.

seadog grabs a sword and is ready to fence

Dark faces Seadog and thrusts gently to his chest

Sea, parries with hes sword

Cuts to Sea's haed, slowly.

Sea parries and ripostes

Dark parries and cuts to Sea's flank.

sea parrys and says (your good),sea hits back with a cut to darks right leg.

(Thank you).  Good hit.

sea, looks at dark and swing hes sword as a thrust against darks chest.

seadog steps inn whit a smile on his mouth, and waiting for somewon to challenge him.

Mirime steps forward with a shrug. "Well, I guess Dreamer is done.." She raises her sword in a guard stance.

seadog attacks whit a thrust against her throat.

Mirime parries and runs off.

Seadog is putting away his sword gently and awaits a new one to challenge him..

Lol, yes the old tactic of running away! Extra mark for initiative :D

I think that now, students who have used the hall for a few moves can stop, unless they particularly want more practice with the basic moves.  Soon lesson onewill be completed, ready for you all to have a shot at.  I have decided that I will also be doing assesments in the future live in a private chat salle.  [darkscribe]