I I
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1984 Volume 36, No.1 TABLE OF CONI American September/October, 19
Editorial ...... , ...... The Officers' Corner ...... FENCING(ISSN 002·8436) Letter to the Editor ...... Official publication of the National Calendar of Events .. United States Fencing Assn. Inc. Postmaster: Send all returns and changes of ad Notes From the Olympics ... . dress to: USFA, 1750 East Boulder St.,Colorado Results, 1984 Olympics ...... Springs, CO 80909. Visiting Olympians ...... AMERICAN FENCING magazine (ISSN 002- by Scott Knies 8436) is published bi-monthly for $7.50 for non Image Matching, Part II ...... members by United States Fencing Association, by Kenneth Morgareidge Inc., 1750 East Boulder St., Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Second class postage paid at Colorado Winners of JI. Art Contest .. ,. Springs, CO and additional mailing offices. New View of Sabre Directing by Orban and Keane ",1978 Amateur Fencers League of America, Inc. Dedicated to the memory of Bulletin Board: JOSE R. deCAPRILES, 1912-1969 Coaches' Accreditation, Kada MIGUEL A. deCAPRILES, 1906-1981 Atlanta Open, Maccabiah Gal CanadianHeroes,Cleveland C Editor: Mary T. Huddleson Temple Collegiate ...... Art Director: Diane King Technical Talks ...... Business Manager: Anne Whiting by Joe Byrnes COu 8::;: Send all contributions and correspondence to: OJ Results: :1. AMERICAN FENCING Garden State Games; Birmini 2201 Bywood Drive 10..4 0:= Beach Blanket; Mid-Atlantic ~ Q . OJ Oakland, CA 94602 Southeast JI. Camp ...... > Q8~ USFA President: Lewis Siegel W U:J ~CD USFA Secretary: Fred Rhodes, D.D.S., 458 West U1 u ~ Briar Place, Chicago, IL 60657. - Z lD ~ l)ubli~heJ bi-mvlllhly. Sub"uiption for Hun member" of the U1 US1-A i.:, S7 5011\ tlw U.5. and '19.L'( dse\A,.here. Opinionsexpres ex: 'II LL~ 0~ ex: ex: C!: sed in articles do not necessarily reflect the view of W:J QJZ(\J or the US FA. WW Bravo for the letter-writers' We actually had gathering of athletes from all parts of the world. more than the expected few seconds of Olympic Certainly world championships in individual -by Lewis Siegel & C fencing shown on television. Certainly the in sports cannot compare with the diversity and terest shown by all of you whu tuuk the time to interest generated in the Olympics. Dear Fencers and Friends of Fencing: tie-in with our sport and that 1 write to ABC had something to do with it. Some With Westbrook having captured a bronze to talk to them about becomin~ of you sent us copies of your well-written letters medal, is U.s. fencing on a winning streak? Only We need your help! We are trying to and we know of one eighth grade math teacher (a Peter knows the years of practice, pressure, and upgrade the entire Fencing Program in cial sponsor? Who can convin, fencer) whu had her students compose and sign hard work which that medal represents. The next America (recreational, junior, and or Sony, or Panasonic to dona an epistle to Mr. Roone Arledge, whom we fuuryears will tell us whether anyone is "'iIIingto senior). We want to raise the level of USFA video cameras and dec thank, along with the eighth graders and other equal his efforts. Meanwhile, we congratulate utilized at clinics, circuit event: writers. fencing in our country to rival the top Peter and try to bask, however briefly, in his the divisions to aid us in tead Was the '84 Olympics a success? The answer is reflected glory. European competitors. Other sports a definite "Yes''', even for fencing, which proba Let us then tum to the immediate matter at have set out similar goals and ac disseminating knowledge aro bly suffered as much as any sport from the East hand: getting our own organizational house in complished it, so can we. It's going to country? European boycott. The withdrawal of some 40% order. Our new administration is calling for vol take dedication, imagination, hard We need numerous goods of our strongest fencing nations leaves some unteers and we hope they have an overwhelming vices, not to mention cash thing to be desired in a competition. However, work, cooperation, contacts, money, response from all parts of the country. The task complish the task at hand; bu one calUlUt win medals by withdrawing. The Ita our leaders then will have before them is to figure and the resources of those who con lians, the French, the West Germans were there, out what to do with the volunteers, once they tinually ask: "Is there any way I can attract the support we need i as well as tha Romanialls and the Chinese. We have them. help?" given the opportunity to e had some excellent fencing, including that pro Do we have any volunteers to send in toAmeri We need a corporate sponsor (or "right" door and approach an duced by the Canadians and the Americans. can Fencing representative and interesting news ear. vVe are creating a public We can probably safely say that the Olympics, sponsors) to take our program to heart from sections and divisions? We suspect that kit that will show the corporat although slightly skewed, are here to stay. No there is a guod deal more fencing activity gOillg and aid us in achieving our goals. There one seems ready to give up this great quadrennial on than is reported all a nationalleve!. -MTH are many ways that many kinds of we can generate enough good people and companies can help and positive media attention to jus this doesn't only mean by giving support. So if you have a "( relative, or just an idea of w A Winning Text for Your Fencing Class monetary donations, because donated goods and services are as good as might see or talk to at a corr Basic Foil Fencing money. For instance, we spend please write and let us know. Second Edition thousands of dollars a year on domestic One other note, the one thi By Charles Simonian and international air fares, hotel ac member in the USF A can do t The Ohio State University commodations, and auto rentals. Who to encourage family members, 1982/104 pages/Paper/S7.95 and those fencers who have no ISBN 0-8403-2726-9 amongst our "fencing family" has a re lative or friend who can aid us in secur done so, to join the U5FA. T Basic Foil Fencing is an up-to-date text that presents the latest members we have on our ro fencing rules for competition. It covers equipment for fencing. ing an airline to be the "Official Airline elementary bouts. rules and officiation. history of fencing. class of the U5FA", in exchange for airline better the "case" we can mak organization. teaching ideas. and references. tickets? Who knows some way or cause. So please, get out and age membership. It will hel Order Your Copy Today! someone who can help us convince Hil ton, or Holiday Inns, or Sheraton to be body. Please------send me Basic Foil Fencing by Charles Simonian. (40272602) __. Yes, I would like to receive a copy for adoption consideration the "Official Hotel of the USFA", in Course nam~ _____. Enroll. Sem/Qtr ______exchange for hotel rooms around the world? Likewise, who can help us at __ Yes, I would like to purchase a copy. (Check/Money Order enclosed) tract a rental car company, etc? Who Name Address ------:c:-:--:---,;=:--~----- can help us convince the manufacturer Affiliation City State/Zip _____ of the THREE MUSKETEERS candy ~ 1042 bar; or Oldsmobile Cutlass; Buick 1111 ~.~ 1V:n~all/'H~~t ~~~ing 0Jmpany LeSabre; Wilkinson Sword Blades; f=~ Touche Pens, that they have a natural PRIEUR NATIONAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS 1984-85 DATE EVENT PLACE NOV. 2,3 *TEMPLE OPEN, COLLEGIATE PHILA. PA SPORTS 9,10 *CIRCUIT #1: MEN'S FOIL Duel @ Dallas DALLAS,TX TWO CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE 10,11 *ClRCUIT # 1: WOMEN'S FOIL - Duel @ Dallas DALLAS, TX AT YOUR SERVICE 17,18 *PENN STATE OPEN, COLLEGIATE PENN STAT] PARIS 24,25 *CIRCUIT #1: MEN'S EPEE - Grand Prix CLEVELANI: DEC. CIRCUIT #1: MEN'S SABRE - S. Jose Classic SAN JOSE, C DISTRIBUTORS 1,2 *CIRCUIT #2: WOMEN'S FOIL - Csiszar PHILA., PA 2 *CSISZAR WOMEN'S EPEE PHILA., PA American Fencers Zivkovic 9 NIWFA CHRISTMAS COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL T.B.A. Supply Modem Fencing Equipment 8,9 *CIRCUIT #2: MEN'S FOIL Michel Alaux N.Y.C. 1180 Folsom SL 77 Arnold Road San Francisco, CA Wellesley Hills, MA JAN. 12,13 USFA COLLEGIATE OPEN T.B.A. 94103 02181 12,13 *ClRCUIT #3: MEN'S FOIL - D' Asaro SAN JOSE, ( 20 CIRCUIT #2: MEN'S SABRE - Pillar NYC. 26,27 *CIRCUIT #3: WOMEN'S FOIL - Helene Mayer SAN FRANC Southern California Fencers Equipment Individual & Team 5335 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. 90029 fOUNDED IN 1788 FEB. 16-18 *USFA lliNIOR OLYMPIC FENCING CHAMPS. CLEVELAN[ OLDEST MANUFACTURER OF FENCING EQUIPMENT MAR. 2,3 CIRCUIT #2: MEN'S EPEE - PenL Internat!. SAN ANTOt IN THE WORLD REGIONAL WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE CHAMPS. *CIRCUIT #3: MEN'S SABRE - Mardi Gras NEW ORLEI 9,10 EASTERN MEN'S COLLEGIATE CHAMPS. NEW YORK 19,20 NCAA MEN'S COLLEGIATE CHAMPS. NOTRE DAII 21-23 NCAA WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE CHAMPS. NOTRE DM LETTER TO condenser, which is not obligatory. 23,24 CIRCUIT #3: MEN'S EPEE SA.'\[ JOSE, ( THE EDITOR We are prepared to repair the machine or *USFA INTERNATL sabre - "A" & TEAM NYC. machines declared defective, but we think APR. 4-8 THE PRIEUR the problem encountered is due to the *WORLD UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIPS ARNHEM,H lightbulbs which are replaced by lightbulbs (Team expected to leave March 30) TRAINING MACHINE stronger than the electronic system was 12,13 *CIRCUIT #4: WOMEN'S FOIL CHICAGO, j made for. 13,14 *CIRCUIT #4: MEN' FOIL CHICAGO, In an article that appeared in AMERICAN 20,21 CIRCUIT #4: MEN'S EPEE Cherry Blossom WASHINGT The solution to this problem is very sim FENCING, our material was put to blame 21 CIRCUIT #4: MEN'S SABRE - C. Elthes NYC or WA~ and I can't accept the interpretation given, ple: it consists of replacing the stronger that denigrated the fencing machine built bulbs by similar lightbulbs used by JUN. 1-8 USFA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS CLEVELAN[ by PRIEUR. PRIEUR, that is of the 12V 100mA (attaina 'Confirmed Dates I got the impression that the machine put ble wherever you can purchase Our equip 1985: MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SUMMER EVENl to blame was our training machine. As its ment). This training machine was selected by the name indicates, this machine was made for JUL. 5-15 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BARCELO French Fencing Federation for its reliability training. For this reason, it does not have SPAIN and sturdiness. More than one thousand "yellow lights," an antiblocage system that 15-25 MACCABIAH GAMES ISRAEL machines of this type are used in France. we call "system anti-fraud." 22- USOC NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL BATON The French team itself trains at the National This machine is not a model designed for LA (Opening Ceremonies, July 26) Sports Institute in salles equipped with World Championships or Olympics; it is 26-28 Tentative Dates for Fencing Events these machines. made for training. Contrary to what the ar ticle seemed to insinuate, it is very robust We thank you for your attention to this AUGUST 4 Last Day of Sports Festival matter. and reliable, made with high quality elec 24--- WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES KOBE, JAr tronic components. For further precau -Freden'c Pabiou, PRIEUR-SPORTS SEPT. 4 tions, the second generation of the NOTE: All electrical eVr!nb ill the Xurth AmericwL CitLuit u:ill be 'ldd 011 When there are two events on t! machines was equipped with a security the fir;:'! win slart at 4 p.m., Friday, and continue through the sCi.xmJ. Ii.Jtilld. second event will start on Satl; thruugh tht- first twv faunds, [ulIu<..,}t:.d by the LOlltinuuliott of the first event. After all the flap over the award to Visti to provide the machines and equipment for the Games, the Russian boycott changed the situation. All machines and reels were Uhlman (West Germany) and the strips were made locally of bubble-type aluminum sections which could be flipped over and used on either side. Everyone seemed happy with them. All finals were staged with dramatic ef fect on a large theater stage. Seated thereon Peler Westbruol. (USA) is cungratulated Csuua Eltlzes, after wiHniHg lhe brullze m in the background were two tiers of black Photv by Rubert lVlz11ard. & white tuxedo clad VIPs (mainly presi dents of fencing organizations and FIE of ficials) who resembled rows of solemn penguins. In front of them, facing the au dience, were score keepers and timers (in pumpkin colored uniforms) and in front of them was the single fencing strip, upon which the white clad finalists performed. Peter Lewison (Men's Foil) liked to come fuji" L1iLiil (Chillll), lcfl, us. Conwlicl J-Iuili~"h (Jr. Germ""y) ill lhe individual dZ"lIlpiullship buul. Photu by Rubert from behind to win the hard way. In the Millt.1Id. second round, with the bleacher crowd chanting "U.S.A.", he pulled off this feat twice; after lagging 4-0 behind Wendt (Au stria) and 4-2 behind Harper (Britain), he pulled out and won both bouts 4-5. Both Lewison and Benko (Australia) were popu In the 1984 Olympics there were 466 Seen marching behind the Panama flag lar with the crowd in the third round; after fencers representing 41 countries. in Opening Day ceremonies: Maxine 5 minutes of fencing in their bout, they Peter Westbrook is the first Ame.r.ican to Mitchell, Panamanian fencing coach, 'four were tied at 4-4, but Peter waited patiently reach the top eight of an Olympic sabre time U.S. National champion and U.S. and scored the final touch, to the delight of competition since 1948, when George Olympian. the pro-American spectators. Worth placed 5th and Tibor Nyilas 7th. He Cornelia I-Iullis,-h n'V. Germany) left, vs. Varina Vac ,":len,s Fuil Teall1 c1WlIlpivl1>' (Italy) Nu is the first American to win an Olympic For the Men's Foil finals, our own Al "w,mi (Italy) ill i1 hard -[uught lealll buut. AF photo. Cenolli, Scuri, Cipressa. AF photo. fencing medal since Albert Axelrod took a Davis created a stir as a side arm judge said he did not consider winnin§ bronze in Rome in 1960. during the bout between Cerioni of Italy medal in Sabre Team as a defeat. Peter upset gold medal favorite Gian and Gey of W. Germany. Al maintained big success because it has not hap franco Dalla Barba 10-9 on hi~ way to the that Cerioni covered his target and was hit long time." 8-man final. He came back from a 6-1 de on the hand, so the hit was awarded. Italian Csaba Elthes, on his U.S. sabre ficit to tie 8-8 before winning the bout. coaches and trainers flew out on the stage place finish: "They fenced terrib coach and I have tra.ined for four years from behind the curtains on the right. West to beat the Italians. They are the best in the Germans poured out from the left. The Di Jujie Luan, Women's Foil cham world - very experienced. But our work recto ire Technique (see penguins above) China, has been fencing for ten) on my defense has paid off," he said. got involved in a lengthy discussion. The formal press conference and thro Csaba Elthes: "1 know Peter can beat the decision was: no touch, but a warning preters, she said her strategy in th world's best. I am very happy. Peter did a against Cerioni. He went on to win the bout tion was to be "aggressive and c( great job. All I ask in the final is that he against Gey 11-9. won by being daring." Asked wh, fence his best." best competitors, she expressed 1 Laszlo Szepesi, sabre coach for France, the USSR was not present anc West Germans and the Italians were the toughest. She said she \\'ould receive "spiritual glory" as well as material rewards when she returns to China. Her coach said, "She adjusted her emo tions well" as she progressed through the competition. Cornelia Hanisch, silver medalist, said that Luan was very strong and that the Chinese are getting ahead in fencing now. Sparked by Hanisch, the West Germans later won their first \\'omen's Team Olym women's foil, with her pic title by beating Romania 9-5 in the finals. plLUlu. They had earlier survived their most hazardous encounter ,,'ith their perennial rivals, the Italians. That match was very tense and went to the last bout, ending in an 8-8 score with a 2 touch margin for the Germans. The Italian and German coaches were quite active in expressing their thoughts throughout the match. In the 3rd round of individual epee, Bob Peter lVestbruuk (USA) attads Jean Banos (Canada). Photo by Larry Bessel, LA Times. Marx, with 4 defeats, was trailing Volker FischerofW. Germany, with 1 victoryand3 defeats, when the latter reportedly hit the sportsmanlike conduct," and had them Women's Foil 42 entries floor outside the strip on purpose to stall for continue the bout, which Bob won 4-5. The Finals: 1) Jujie Luan (China); 2) more time. The director cited him for "un U.s. officially protested to the Directoire Hanisch (W. Germany); 3) Dorin, roni (Italy); 4) Elisabeta G Mike McCahey (USA) us. Khaled Al-Awadhi Technique that Fischer should have been (Romania); 5) Veronique Br, (Kuwait). Photo excluded from the competition. To no avail. (France); 6) Laurence Modaine ( Instead, Fischer advanced, on touches, to 7) Sabine Bischoff (W. Germany); 8 the next round and eventually to the finals Gaudin (France). of 8, while Marx was eliminated. Eliminated in 3rd round: 20) Debr, (USA); 23) Vincent Bradford (U RESULTS Eliminated in 2nd round: 21 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES Angelakis (U.S.A). IN LOS ANGELES Fencing, 1 - 11 August, 1984 Sabre 33 entries Finals: 1) Jean Fr. Lamour (Fra Men's FoilSS entries Marco Marin (Italy); 3) Peter W. Finals: 1) Mauro Numa (Italy); 2) Matthias (U.S.A.); 4) Herve Granger-Vey Behr (W. Germany); 3) Stefano Cerioni ance); 5) Pierre Guichot (France); I (Italy); 4) Frederic Pietruszka (France); 5) Mustata (Romania); 7) Giovann Andrea Borella (Italy); 6) Matthias Gey (Italy); 8) loan Pop (Romania). (W. Germany); 7) Philippe Omnes (France); Eliminated after DE w/repechage: 8) Thierry Soumagne (Belgium). ]\IormanJo (U.S.A). Eliminated after DE with repechage: 11) Eliminated after 3rd round: 17) Peter Lewison (U.S.A). Lofton (USA). Eliminated after 2nd round: 28) Gregory Massialas (USA); 30) Michael McCahey (U.S.A.). CUlliilLUCJ Epee 63 entries Italy; 5) China; 6) U.S.A.; 7) Britain; Finals: 1) Philippe Boisse (France); 2) 8) Japan; 9) Canada; 10) Argentina. Visiting Olympians By Bjorne Vaggo (Sweden); 3) Philippe Riboud (France); 4) Stefano Bellone (Italy); 5) The U.S. lost to Romania 8-4 and to China Michel Poffet (Switzerland); 6) Elmar Bor 9-5 to settle for 6th place in the elimination During July, as all of California readied round. mann (W. Germany); 7) Alexander Pusch itself for the Los Angeles Summer Games, (W. Germany); 8) Volker Fischer (W. Ger San Jose and The Fencing Center joined in many). Sabre Team 8 Teams the Olympic spirit by hosting a training Eliminated after 3rd round: 17) Stephen 1) Italy; 2) France; 3) Romania; 4) W. Ger camp for the Canadian Olympic Fencing Trevor (U.S.A.); 18) Robert Marx (U.s.A.). many; 5) China; 6) U.S.A. Team and the modern pentathlon teams Eliminated after 2nd round: 38) Lee Shelly Romania beat the U.s.A. 9-3. In the match from Sweden and Australia. (U.S.A.) for 5th place, China beat the U.S.A. 9-7 From July 19-26 the Center bustled with activity as the Canadians worked morning Epee Team 16 Teams Men's Foil Team 14 Teams and afternoon sessions and two evenings 1) Italy; 2) West Germany; 3) France; 4) 1) West Germany; 2) France; 3) Italy; 4) of bouting with club members, guests, and Austria; 5) U. S.A.; 6) Great Britain; 7) Canada; 5) Sweden; 6) China; 7) Korea; 8) pentathletes. Canada was represented by Britain; 9) Switzerland; 10) U.S.A. China; 15 fencers (full teams in sabre, epee and China upset the U.S.A. 9-4 in the prelimi 8) Belgium; 9) Japan; 10) Argentina; 11) women's foil), three coaches, and a man ChuuillurJ scores a stop hit while tea nary round. Our team held France to an 8-8 Kuwait; 12) Egypt; 13) Liberia; 14) Hong ager. ssureault looks on. Photo by Ian Sul1Jila; Kong. tie score and beat the Saudis 8-5, but China The Canucks were picked up at San salle equipped with borrowed The U.S. lost to West Germany 9-2 and beat and France advanced with 2 clear match wins. Francisco airport in an air-conditioned machinery from Northern Califor Great Britain 9-6 to take 5th place in the 38-passenger chartered bus donated by the elimination round. sion and Eleanor Turney. owners of the charter company. Once in The Canadians began training Women's Foil Team 10 Teams San Jose the Canadians checked into a day. Head Coach Jean Michel we 1) West Germany; 2) Romania; 3) France; 4) dormitory on the San Jose state campus women's team and Henri SassinE that had been converted into a mini reurs. Epee coach Jean-Pierre L, Olympic village of sorts. Wrestlers, not join the team for another four Jlljit: I Urlll (Chifla) is parried by SewIg-:5uUJI Oil (Korea). swimmers and track Olympians from Ja to a coaching conflict with the ( pan, Norway, Finland, Australia, and The Fencing Association. Netherlands also stayed in the dorms, In the meantime, the epeeists c where athletes were housed and fed three their own drills, exercises and bo meals a day for $21.55 per person, per day. group until their coach was ab! While the Canadians were settling into them. The high point of the traini their rooms, the first group of Olympians red Tuesday night at the Center came by the Center for fencing practice. Canadian epeeists, led by Dessur The Swedish modern pentathalon team- Jean-Marc Chouinard, romped a! four athletes and four coaches - arrived Swedes, Aussies and local fencer: for an afternoon workout accompanied by ing U.s. National Epee Chamr: a reporter and photographer from the top Soter from San Francisco. newspaper in Stockholm. The group in Yet all was not work for the C cluded coach Bengt Lager, who is the son who took the day off before flyin! in-law of USFA administrator Anne Whit Angeles. Provided loaner cars an ing, and Fencing Master Bela Rerrich, who by the Chamber of Commerce g has produced many world-class epeeists helped coordinate San Jose's pre· for Sweden over the years. effort, half the Canucks went to ~ Rerrich gave lessons in one of the salles cisco's Pier 39 and the other hi while the photographer took portraits of beach in Santa Cruz. sweating pentathletes, topless and bout The Fencing Center and Centra ing, with their epees tilted between their nia Division also threw a good 0 legs. After the five member Australian can bar-b-que and kegger one nil' team arrived - three pentathletes and two Olympic visitors. It ended with a coaches -- the Swedes and Aussies bouted each other on the four strips in the Lodge (continued PART II Image matching has some consequences both slow action of a good preparation does three do against me, and how can I use that to hit his right collarbone. Your im in your training and in your fencing. In your things: 1.) Your opponent can see it more easily him?" Or to put it another way, "What prepara he begins to extend over yo training you will spend a great deal of time work and is more likely to respond in a predictable tion will make this fencer respond in such a way croisse. If you are on the alert YOI ing on d srnJ.ll nurnbcr of attacks. It is iIHportant manner. 2.) The sudden speed of the attack is that I can attack him with the move that I do make your countre-4 beat attack to work a variety of attacks in lessons and in unexpected (principle of acceleration). 3.) You best7". react, neither do you. You repeat practice, because you need to explore different can more easily concentrate on your opponent if An example: You have an opponent who has a or make a different preparation t attdcks in forming and developing JOUI own best you are moving slowly than if you are trying to very strong countre-6 croisse in foiL The conven to produce the same image. Thi game. Also, the working of an attack allows you move quickly. You will see your opportunity tional wisdom would be to either 1.) avoid being to recognize it quickly when someone else uses it, sooner. hit by that move by not putting your blade where UWhat is he kE: even though it is not part of your repertoire. But Continuity of movement is important because he can take it with that move, or 2.) wait for him for a fencer to know 4 or 5 attacks and to know the preparation must not appear to be a separate to attack with it and make a parry by (eg.) a on to make f them really well is sufficient. And just as impor "move", but flow naturally from the previous countre-4 beat and riposte. In the case ofL) if you particular m01 tant is to know 4 or 5 preparations to set up each movement and be integrated with footwork and try to avoid every strong attack your opponent attack I distance controL If your opponent doesn't re makes or might make, you will end up hamstr persistence will payoff by produ One of the first things you should do is to sit spond the way you want him to, you keep mov inging your own game. In the case of 2.), by tunnel vision in your opponent. \ down with your coach and talk about your ing, repeating the setup until he does. simply waiting for your opponent to attack, you only what you want him to see. Tr strengths and weaknesses and decide on the 4 or After you have practiced the attack and the leave the initiative to him. That gives him the tant step in psychologically domi 5 attacks that you want to make the heart of your preparations for it, practice what I call "limited advantage of time and distance for his attack. As you try this method, you wi! game. They should not all be of the same type. move bouting". Your partner fences however he You are relying solely on the native speed of your go for long periods without a toue!' But they should strike a balance that reflects your likes, but you can use only one attack and prep own reactions to see his attack and respond to it. some of the best epee bouts ever fe own individudl character as a fencer. If you are aration. You must work at setting it up again and lt is easy enough to say "Make a countre-4 beat minutes with only one touch fairly tall with a long arm, you might want to again until you can hit with it. Then reverse roles. parry and riposte, but if he is really fast and at the strategies emphasize looking for include only a couple of attacks on the blade, and Each fencer should observe and criticize the right distance, he will hit you before you can even your opponent and attacking it. 1 let the rest be deceiving moves and intra-attacks other's preparations and attacks. meet his blade. That is, unless you know just image matching, you are not conc, at longer distance. As you continue to develop You will find that your preparations are not when he will attack. The only way you can know your opponent is using a strong r you will want to add other moves. Remember, going to work all the time, or even most of the for sure when he will attack is if you can cause ever. In fact you will more oft, the list is not going to be engraved in stone. Your time. The image won't be easily matched. You him to attack. stronger moves because those are t repertoire will gro\\ dnd change, and you want to will have to use endless patience and not attack most likely to make. The psycholo: chose moves you \\ill be comfurtable with. until you provoked exactly the right situa hitting someone as he is making w Then you work those attacks, and I do mean tion. \\,ith every single preparation you must be "What preparation ers his "Sunday punch" will be « work. Drill has always been a major part of a totally alert for your opportunity to attack. You will make this Remember, you are no longer I fencer's training and you must practice your at must practice very intense concentration. You attack that you think might work. . tacks until they are more than second nature. cannot make a preparation just to be moving fencer respond .. " to set up the other fencer for an a They must be an integral part of you that can be around. No move is wasted, every move has a know will work When you do a called up in the smallest instant. As you work the purpose. This is where the preparation comes in. Your have a far better chance of hittin~ attacks you also map out and work on the 4 or 5 choice of tactics is not only the choice of attack but have pre-programmed both your setups for each attack. Working with a partner, of preparations. What attacks of yours will your opponent, and you will attack wi try the preparJ.lion slowly dnd see how early you Ii •• • be totally alert ... opponent be most easily led into and what prep confidence. can see and attack into your partner's response to arations of yours will most easily do the leading? Perhaps the most important fact it. How early does the image happen and how intense concentration." You must first decide what move in your own cess I've been discussing is the old quickly can you attack? As you work, you are repertoire will work against (or one might even thyself". In your fencing you mu developing in your visual memory the image to As you become more proficient with each at say in cooperation with) your opponent's move. own game better than anybody elSE be matched and learning what you have to do to tack and its preparations, try going from one In this case a countre-4 beat attack against his totally tamili"r with your own s elicit that image in your opponent preparation to another as smoothly and continu countre-6 croisse. But you must also know what weaknesses. You must know wI You will find that perfe"ting the preparations ously as you can. When you use several different you can do that will cue your opponent to make moves are and which of them are for the attack is just as important as perfecting the preparations, flowing from one to the next, to set his move. What is he keying on to make that work under any given circumstanc attack itself. Two crucial aspects of the prepara up the intended attack, it becomes very difficult pdrlicubr move? That is what guides your choice parations that will make them wo tion are speed of movement and continuity. The for your opponent to detect the real purpose of of preparation. It is your preparation that causes expressed here do not constitute a , speed of the preparation will depend upon and your movements. your opponent to make his move, but at your do provide one way of formulatir must be t are of pretty poor quality; nobody wants to those yokels in America, and if they want it Governor's Cup Awards (for best overall use them for long. So the blades are strip shorter, let 'em grind it. 1984 GARDEN STATE GAMES presented to Vince McGovern and Darlem by InJ.)in Bernstein, FCILL.'illg ChairlllaJl ped out and re-pointed and re-wired, usu The moral? American importers really ally with French or German assemblies. should check their stocks: a measuring jig THREE STATES Fencing was again a prominent part of However, Russian foil points are in short for length isn't difficult to set up. the second annual Garden State Games. IN SOUTHEAST squat little housings, unlike the longer, Trials were held in all four regions of the HOLD STATE GAM] slimmer west European types. Put one of state, under Regional Coordinators Gladys by Cathy Abramsol1, SE Sec. Chmn. the latter on a Russian blade without grind Orsi, Tom Boutsikaris, Art Blumert, and ing it down and the result is almost certain Alabama and South Carol Bruce Canino. The final events took place in to end up far too long. IN MEMORIAM first statewide games this ~ the Rutgers Athletic Center on July 14-15. (2) What about the rest of the over-length We have just received the sad news of the fencing as a scheduled ev, Dave Bryer handled site preparation and blades? For them I am afraid there is no death, after a long illness, of June Golds Sunshine State games have Joe Byrnes served as Armorer, assisted by excuse. What is distressing, too, is to see tein, wife of our editor-emeritus, Ralph four years. Art Blumert. Officiating was very ably how many of these giants come into this Goldstein. Through it all, as over the de Results: handled by Denise O'Connor, Ralph Zim country bearing the names of distinguished cades, Ralph has continued to make impor FLORIDA European manufacturers, although there is tant contributions to our sport. The fencing merman, Steve Sobel, Barbara Campi, Kerry Swick, and Irwin Bernstein, with Men's Foil: Men's Ep' no guard or point made, that I know of, that community extends to him and his family help from the regional coordinators. Strips 1 Von Segern (0' Aleda) 1. Centra would make them of legal length. our deepest sympathy. 2. Zeyin (Fl. Atlantic) Segern were prOvided by Dave Bryer of Rutgers 3. D'},1ikhell (Bakutie) 2. Gatew, Here I suspect the answer is what I was and Ray Miller of William Paterson. Kerry 3. Gold C told over twenty years ago by a distin Swick served as Vice-Chairman and Sports Men's Foil Team: guished name in American fencing. Euro 1. Central Florida (Von Segem, V-20 Men Information Specialist. Dr. Nick Rizzitello pean manufacturers and shippers are only \litLhdl, 1I\J\\"~()n, Goheen, 1. ArnaU( (a former fencer) served as our trainer. A!lde!~()Il) 2. Alvare: This year, we added interscholastic 2. Gateway 3. Kirley 3. Florida Coast \ events to our program to increase the Women's number of possible finals to 13. Unfortu U-20 Men's Foil: L DunloF Quality fencing wear and nately, our turnout in the Masters (over 40) 1. Ratliff (Zevin FC) 2. Robert, 7 2. Alvarez (Ft. Lauderdale FC) 3. Billing" events forced their cancellation but we in equipment at competitive prices 3. Duvding (Zevin FC) tend to try to hold them in 1985. Overall, the Men's Sal Garden State Games has firmly established Women's Foil: 1. McFarl; 1 Stewart (Ocala FC) 2. itself as a permanent event and has plans 2. Dunlop (FSU) 3. for continued growth and improvement in 3. Roberts (Forrest F.) Adidas- SHOES-SWEATS 1985. Men's Sal Women's Foil Team: Results: 1. Central 1. Gateway (Stewart, Deeney, CoodIT Men's Open Foil: L Jeff Bukantz, 2. Jim Flint, 3. Vince 2. Gold C France Lames-BlADES·ACCESSORIES McGovern. 2. 3. Gatew Women's Open Foil: 1. India Hayes, 2. Rachel Hayes, 3. Gladys 3. Central Orsi. U-20 Men V-20 Women's Foil: 1. Campo Men's Interscholastic Sabre: 1. MIke Motz, 2. John Toomer, Jr., Sanfelli-ClOTHING-MASKS-BAGS 1. f-1uLLhi~un (FIT) 2. Alvare; 3. Onal Leichter. 2. Marino (Boyrton Beach FA: 3. Birley ( Men's Interscholastic Epee: 1. James Marsh, 2. fhlldIY :0:"e:",.Hl, Sherry Posthumus 3. Jacobs (N. P. Richie FC) VISA- Mastercharge 3. Steven Stammer. Women's Men's Epee Marlene D'Amico Men's Open Epee: Vince McGovern, 2. Jim Flint, 3. Mark Hecht. 1 Robert" FREE price list upon request 1. S,-ltuunm..l}"l..'f (U Fla.) 2. Co Directors \-Vomen's Interscholastic Foil: 1. Darlene Pratschler, 2. Cheryl 2. AbldneJu (D' Alerta) 3. Gates, 3. Anna Legedza. Von Segem (0' Alerta) Men's Interscholastic Foil: 1. Brent Schenck, 2. Jdll~<':~ ).tush, 3. GRECO T I Ll(.lJvl..k Central Ph 40 North First St. Women's Open Epee: L Darlene Pratschler, 2. Sharon Selig, 3. San Jose, Ca. 95113 :\1..:nldn :rLdnu. ich. ALABAMA Men's Open Sabre: 1. Brian Keane, 2. R.l1ph Bdl.l!l!uni, 3. Jeff Twenty-six competitors feno The Fencing Post (408)298·5858 Ti",llil'J.ll. Annual Alabama State Garnes Men's Sabre Women's F, mingham on July 7 and 8, 1984. This is the day, July 14. It drew foil and sabre fencers (34 entries, Group I) were held on Saturday; men's foil (32 entries, Group I), women's 1. Glon (VA) 1. Szabuni, first year that fencing was included as an from around the Southeast and exposed 2. Franek « 2. Nagy (N epee (18 entries, Group II), and men's sabre event. It was open to all Alabama residents. fencing to thousands of area residents. 3. Richards 3. }'l by Harry F. Blade IF YDU HAVE NOT TRIED US YET, WE THINK YOU SHOULD YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH RENAISSANCE The annual Mid-Atlantic Senior Section WE GUARANTEE IT! als were held on May 12-13 at the Johns MASTER CARD. VISA AND C.O.D. ORDERS ARE ACCEPTED BY TELEPHONE' The Birmingham Fencers Club held its Hopkins University in Baltimore. Men's III third annual Mall Tournament on Satur- epee (40 entries, Group II) and women's foil C~OO.5e ,'vlen', Fail leU/II [inulo. !Veil Germany (GI?lf #74) vs. Italy. AF photo. During the five day camp, the kids par ticipated in a tough program of cales Salle 0'A rmes Kadar thenics, footwork drills, individual and FENCING ACADEMY group instruction in all three weapons, a weapons maintenance and repair clinic, Since 1958 and a directors clinic led by Mitchell Gross of Atlanta. Video tape was used extensively Quality school for during training sessions, lessons, and bout progressive fencers and coaches ing. SEND US YOUR RESULTS If you don't send it to us, we can't Photo bv it. Send us the name of your competition, At Blade, we proudly work every day to obtain the world's finest fencing g date and place it was held, number of en offer it to you at the lowest overall prices in America. What we don't mam tries, and the top finishers (and their fenc . ourselves to our own exacting standards, we handpick from the finest manuf, ing clubs). Send results to: AMERICAN II in Europe: Allstar, France-Lame, Soudet, Negrini. We offer generous discc FENCING, 2201 Bywood Drive, Oakland, : help schools and clubs. And now we offer yearly rebates to reward our growir CA 94602. i of loyal indi,;idual customers. 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