All About Fencing

[super_dad]

What are the things that you would need to buy for this? (attire, sword?, face mask? bandaid? :P)

[ChiefKiasu]

super_dad:

What are the things that you would need to buy for this? (attire, sword?, face mask? bandaid? :P)

There's quite a large investment in the multiple layers of protection and clothing the kid has to put on to avoid the bandaids. Other than the t-shirt they were, there are 4 more layers on top protecting the body. But occasionally there could be accidental hits on the arms and legs that result in small bruises.

The equipment comes in the form of \"German-made\" (expensive) and \"China-made\" (read - more affordable for mortals like us). Still the cheapest package costs a hefty $500 odd.

[super_dad]

$500…wow. But logical, since this sport is quite a specialized one.

[phantom]

Compare to those judo and other martial arts which is much cheaper, what does fencing offers that are different from those?

[ChiefKiasu]

phantom:

Compare to those judo and other martial arts which is much cheaper, what does fencing offers that are different from those?

I guess it's kind of like golf versus hockey. It is a weapons sport, so you need to compare it with things like kendo. It is not a contact sport like judo, but still requires a substantial level of physical endurance with all the leg work. You need to focus all the time. With electrical fencing, it is really like navigating in a mine field... one wrong move and you lose a point to the opponent. There is a lot of strategy and mind games going on... you need to learn your opponent's strengths and weakness quickly and adapt on the fly. Lots of probes, feints, scare tactics, plots within a plot stuff. You choose if you wish to attack or defend. Fencing is one of the very few sports where both men and women can compete as equals.

[phantom]

ChiefKiasu:

I guess it's kind of like golf versus hockey. It is a weapons sport, so you need to compare it with things like kendo. It is not a contact sport like judo, but still requires a substantial level of physical endurance with all the leg work. You need to focus all the time. With electrical fencing, it is really like navigating in a mine field... one wrong move and you lose a point to the opponent. There is a lot of strategy and mind games going on... you need to learn your opponent's strengths and weakness quickly and adapt on the fly. Lots of probes, feints, scare tactics, plots within a plot stuff. You choose if you wish to attack or defend. Fencing is one of the very few sports where both men and women can compete as equals.

I know fencing have lots of sparring during training. Does the kid get injured easily during such sparring session?

[ChiefKiasu]

phantom:

I know fencing have lots of sparring during training. Does the kid get injured easily during such sparring session?

Hard to get hurt if you are wearing that many layers of protection. The head mask is made of steel, and provides protection for the neck. The only time my son got bruised was in his competition last month when his opponent hit him on his arm, and that was the first after almost a couple of years of fencing.

[super_dad]

ChiefKiasu:

phantom:

I know fencing have lots of sparring during training. Does the kid get injured easily during such sparring session?

Hard to get hurt if you are wearing that many layers of protection. The head mask is made of steel, and provides protection for the neck. The only time my son got bruised was in his competition last month when his opponent hit him on his arm, and that was the first after almost a couple of years of fencing.

Just wondering...is the long skinny sword (whatever you call it), sharp and pointy?

[ChiefKiasu]

The weapons range from foil to epee and sabre. The way points are scored are different with each weapon. Beginners normally start with the foil. Yes, it is skinny and pointy, but the tip is actually a flat spring-loaded top (like that of an FM radio antenna) which, when depressed, registers a hit during electric fencing on the board.

[super_dad]

Hmmm....so cannot make the Z mark? :lol: