Introduction I have tried to sum up my work in Hungary, Germany and Canada and find a way to best help the Singapore fencing coach developing programs. I don’t want to limit the age of who can use this program as in Singapore we have, often not only have kids in the group, the groups rarely have homogeny. It was very difficult to find the best terminology, where French and other schools of thought could be understood. Maybe some of the positions are too exactly defined but I think it’s helpful for understanding and the application for everybody. I didn’t give too much information about basic physical education. I have tried to concentrate on fencing specific material. It is helpful for non- fencing teachers or coaches to use it. The most important thing with beginners is to give fan and correct technique. A good atmosphere with motivation and developing the basics is the goal. Try to find exercises where the combat aspect of fencing is dominate and give the feeling what it means to win. Be first to motivate, you need to give a good example. Your dress and your demonstrations have to be correct. Be there 10 min before the class begins. I tried to sum up in 10 steps the first level in epee fencing. With this knowledge it is possible to give a good opportunity for developing beginner fencers. This program is useful for all the coaches who would like to find the logical development from beginning to competitive fencer. It is very important to teach a wide repertoire and not to specialization too early. Best of luck with your young or beginner groups and I hope you enjoy the experience. Dr. Gabor Salamon 2012 Singapore The Fencing/Summary of Lesson Plan 10 Step lesson plan Page Step 1: On-guard position/Step forward/Step backward/ 1 Gripping the weapon/ Arm extension Step 2: Hit (thrust): while standing still/with step forward/ 2 with step backward/The lunge/Straight hit with lunge Step 3: Parry( sixte-quarte) ---- remise 4 Engagement ----- Counteractions Step 4: Parry riposte ( sixte-quarte)---Counteractions 6 Engagement hit—Counteractions Step 5: Parry (second -septime)----remise 8 Engagement--- Counteractions Step 6 Parry riposte ( second-septime)---Counteractions 10 Engagement hit—Counteractions Step 7: Beat attacks ( quarte-sixte-seconde-septime) 12 Step 8: Opposition hit for defense 13 Step 9: Feint attack 14 Step forward lunge Step 10: Attack in time ( l`attaque dans la preparation) 15 Counter attack (I`attaque dans l`attaque) Step 1 Introduction Talk about epee fighting and epee history( combat weapon, dueling, modern sport) .Epee is a thrusting weapon, the touch registered with an electrical contact (point).The target includes the whole body from foot to head, and the goal is to touch earlier than the opponent. If the touch is at the same time, the result is a simultaneous hit and valid. Show epee, mask and glove On-guard position( After demonstration come to on-guard position) The front foot is positioned at a right -angle, approximately. 1.5 to 2 feet in front of the back foot(use lines on floor if any). The body`s center of gravity lies in the midway the feet.. Both knees are equally bent, weight must be equally distributed between both feet. The torso bent light forward and is rotated approximately 25 degrees to the fencing line. The weapon arm half –extended in the line of the shoulder with the forearm parallel to the floor. The hand is supinated in a position of about 1:30 hour on the clock with the elbow facing inward. The point of the weapon threatens the opposing target area(hand) Step forward (After demonstration execution oneself) From on- guard position, the step forward is executed by simultaneously pushing off with the back foot and releasing the front foot forward. The movement of the front foot begins by lifting the toes. To resume the on-guard position, the back foot is pulled forward Step backward (After demonstration execution oneself) The backward step begins simultaneously release of the back foot and the pushing off of the front foot, and ends with the pulling of the front foot backward. The torso always remains in the same position independent of the movement direction. Gripping the weapon The thumb, slightly bent, rest on the handle. The forefinger is adjusted to the handle from below, ,gripping at the first joint; the weapon is directed from the front of the hand. Or :the thumb should be bent slightly to oppose the fist joint the forefinger, the handle lying completely within the palm. If it`s possible use pistol grip in small size. On guard position with the weapon Arm position is the same as in on guard position without the weapon. Point of weapon threatens the opposing target area.(hand).The guard (coquille)is on the outside and defended the outside. The owns point threatens to the opposing hand, and defended the inside. Shoulder have to be relaxes. Arm extension (Line position) (after demonstration execution oneself extension.) In the final position, the guard of the weapon is higher than the shoulder and covers the high line on the armed side. The point tends low and inside, threatens the opposing shoulder. Supination of the hand is the same then in guard position. The shoulder mast be relaxed. If you have mirror in the hall, gym, use it for self control. 1 Step 2 Revision (recapitulation) of step 1 On guard position, step forward, step backward, moving with the weapon, arm extension. Distance keeping : coach moving slowly with step forward and backward in front of the students who are in rows. They have to adjust to maintain distance. Exercise with partner changing who is the leader. The same exercise with the weapon in hand. Take blade contact and slowly keep distance . The blade position gives a chance to control the exact distance.. New in step 2 Hit (thrust) while standing still Hitting movements are performed by extending the arm and guiding the weapon with the hand in such a way the point of the weapon touches the opposing target area. The hit is the same movement as in extending the arm. with the weapon, only the touch on the target need stabilizing the on- guard position, with the arm being high and lightly bent. Do not change the hand position while extending the arm.( no rotation) Execute: on wall target, with trainer, with partner. The correct footwork relative to the distance was chosen, if in a thrust the blade has a slight bend. Exercise forms A, In one time(action): on your own at your own time B , In partners time(reaction) 1, From the blade. From the partners signal with his blade ( pressure, change, release) start with the action. 2, From the opponents footwork. On the opponent`s footwork (step forward, lunge etc. ) start with the hit. 3, Blade and foot together. This is the best combination to start a successful action. This system is valid for all fencing activity.!!! Hit: with step forward Extending the arm, step forward and touch. The arm extension occurs before the step forward. The guard of the weapon must remain in the same high position and supination of the hand(no rotation). Execute: on wall target, with trainer, with partner. Hit: with step backward (stop hit) As the blade begins to band after the hit, execute the step backward. At the finish of the step, the arm is back in on-guard position. Execute: standing at close distance, extending and, after hitting, stepping backwards: on wall target, with trainer, with partner. The Lunge The lunge from the on-guard position is executed by simultaneously pushing off with the back leg and extending the front leg. The movement of the front leg begins by lifting the toes and extending the knee, moving the heel over the floor until the back knee is full extended and the heel of front foot lands on the floor. In epee fencing, the optimal lunge position is where the back leg and the thigh of front leg form a straight line. After stabilizing the end position ( shin of front leg at a right angle to the floor) begin the recovery by the pushing off with the front foot and bending the back knee, return to on guard position. The arm is usually extended before the legs begin to move, and returns to the on guard position after the recovery. The other arm is extended back and parallel to the back leg and returns with the recovery. Execute: (after demonstration oneself with correction of the coach 2 Straight hit with lunge .Start first with the extension of the arm, followed by the lunge. During the hit, the weapon must travel at the same level remaining in supination , (don`t change the hand position.) Execute(: after demonstration) oneself on wall target, with trainer, with partner. 3 Step 3 Revision of step 2 Partner exercises: hit straight standing still at close distance starting in one`s own time. or in the partners time (on partners release, change or pressure with the blade). start the hit .If the torso leans slightly forward it`s not a major error. Execute the same hit with step forward, backward and lunge depending on the blade signal and distance. Now from step 3 Parry. The primary objective of parry is to deflect the opponent thrust from the target. The parry is a timely deflection of the attacker`s weapon from the target with the movement of the blade. In the end position of the parry( the elbow remains bent or is withdrawn more .