Beginner’s Syllabus

Week One:
Basic Equipment
Basic Weaponry
Classroom Rules
Expectations of a Fencer
Salute
On Guard
Advance
Retreat

Week Two:
Classroom Rules (Review)
Expectations of a Fencer (Review)
How to hold the weapon
On Guard with weapon
Advance / Retreat
Spacing
Thrust weapon
(Lunge – time permitting)

Week Three:
On Guard
Advance with weapon
Retreat with weapon
Spacing
“Safety Review”
Thrust with weapon – (first contact!)
Lunge / Recovery
Proper Manners and Etiquette

Week Four:
Advance with weapon
Retreat with weapon
Spacing
Lunge speed and technique
Lunge / Recovery with weapon (contact!)
(Beat attack 4 and 6)

Week Five:
Lunge / Recovery with weapon
Footwork
Beat attack 4 and 6
On the Stripe
Parry 6
Parry 4
Beat attack 4 and 6

Week Six:
Lunge with weapon (contact!)
Footwork
Parry 6 (with retreat)
Parry 4 (with retreat)
“Right of way”
Beat Attacks 4 and 6
Combinations (stationary)

Week Seven:
Footwork
Lunge with weapon (contact!)
Advance Retreat
Parry 6 / Parry 4
Beat attack 4 and 6
“The Feint”
Combinations (on the strip)

Week Eight:
Footwork
Spacing / Lunging / Parry 6 / Parry 4
Circular Parry 6 / Circular Parry 4
“The Feint”
Beat attack 4 / 6
Combinations
Mock matches

Week Nine:
Footwork
Spacing / Lunging / Parry 6 / Parry 4
Circular Parry 6 / Circular Parry 4
“The Feint”
Beat attack 4 / 6
Combinations
Matches

Week Ten:
Footwork
Spacing / Lunging / Parry 6 / Parry 4
Circular Parry 6 / Circular Parry 4
“The Feint”
Beat attack 4 / 6
Combinations
Matches

13 Responses to Beginner’s Syllabus

  1. Carla Wilkinson says:

    My son may be interested on fencing. Please email me some info. He is 8 years old.

  2. Carla Wilkinson says:

    so like when are practices

  3. Hi,

    Thank you for your interest. Please contact coach Thad Schmenk at 843-697-1528.

  4. Thais Ponder says:

    My son, who just turned 10, may be interested on fencing. Please email me some info.

  5. Thais Ponder says:

    PS: I already e-mailed Mr. Thad & I also tried to contact him on the phone number provided on this site. I would like to know dates & times for practices, information about equipment & uniform, and fees. thank you!

    • Hi,

      Thank you for your interest. Please contact coach Thad Schmenk at 843-697-1528. Or email him at thadsensei@hotmail.com.

      Mount Pleasant Recreation handles the administrative part of the fencing lessons. See their course catelogue for prices and times. The cost of equipment is separate, just like for soccer or baseball. It’s pretty really reasonable.

  6. Karen Young says:

    We currently live in Kenosha, WI and my son (9) is taking fencing lessons at the local RecPlex. My husband is considering a transfer to Charleston and I am looking for information on fencing lesson availability and cost for our son. He has been fencing for a year but is still very much a beginner (no dedication or will to practice has kicked in ….yet!). Right now, it’s just fun and we’d like to continue if we move.
    KAren

  7. LaVonne Marshall says:

    Having taking signed up for fencing lessons once every Tuesday at my school, I was curious as to see if there are any classes for 16 year old beginners. So I can improve outside of that small practice.

    Info please?

  8. Kyle says:

    When are classes for adults and how much are lessons?

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