• Icebreaker —The glove game & how it relates to fencing –Attack/Defense/Feints
• Brief intro. to Foil (history/target area/handling foils safely/other weapons)
• 5-minute basic stretching of main muscle groups used for fencing
• Basic stance en garde – moving forwards & backwards
• Keeping distance (running then en garde)
• The lunge (footwork and lunges combined in Simon Says game)
• Watch electric fencing demonstration
• Holding the foil correctly, orthopedic grip, using the thumb to push/place the tip
• HITTING THE COACH! (stationary/moving/lunging)

Week Two: DEFENSE (BASIC LATERAL PARRIES: SIXTE & QUARTE)

• Try on masks-focus on safety strap on back of head and chin in place
• Sentiment du fer —The feel of the blade & hitting with accuracy
• Hitting gloves in pairs (stationary)
• Warm-up & stretch, lunging exercise — pull up partner
• Review en garde position, brief footwork,  lunge & hit coach’s gloved hand
• Check elbow is tucked in, fencer is “safe” in sixte position (one open target area)
• Parries and hand positions:  “Close the Door,"  “Give me Five” Quarte Parry
• Practice “catching” the blade with lateral parries of quarte & sixte
• The riposte—be efficient. “Beginners hang on to the blade for too long.”
• Parries & footwork—keep distance—stand your ground when you parry

Week Three: ATTACKS (WITH & WITHOUT THE BLADE)

• Choosing jackets/chest protectors/plastrons
• Review/check parries & riposte
• Fencing time & right of way
• Warm-up & stretch, brief footwork, lunges
• 3 attacks with no action on opponent’s blade—arm only/arm then step/lunge
• Add speed & commitment—catching glove game
• Beat attacks—using opponent’s blade as a springboard—tap with fingers not arm
• Putting on jackets/chest protectors/plastrons
• Structured, safe hitting each other.  Push the “thumb tack” -—not a jab/stab or punch
• With coach—choosing beat lunge or parry riposte, cues to watch for

Week Four: BOUTING (INTRO. OF DISENGAGES/FEINTS/CIRCULAR ACTIONS)

• Electrical equipment, reels, body cords and electric vests (lames)
• Review and discussion of competitive fencing tactics— “Use your footwork!”
• Intro: Beat disengage, feints & circular parries
• Finally: BOUTING! IFA Club members will referee while coach circulates among the strips offering advice/tactics and correcting form

*This is an accelerated class to allow beginners to get a taste of the sport. Beginners can take this class repeatedly until they are competent enough to join the club. Footwork is the key to being a good fencer and is an important part of being an IFA club member.

Register for Beginner Program through Mesa Parks and Recreation

City of Mesa Program Time Out/Registration

4 weeks per class. $10 registration with Mesa. $40 fee for 
instruction & equipment. Class size is limited to 8.

Tuesdays
Session I:   January 29th - February 19th
Session II.   February 26th - March 18th
Session III.  March 25th - April 15th

Session IV.  April 22nd - May 13th

Thursdays
Session I:   January 31st - February 21st
Session II.   February 28th - March 20th
Session III.  March 27th - April 17th

Session IV.  April 24th - May 15th

Register for Beginner Program through Mesa Parks and Recreation

City of Mesa Program Time Out/Registration