How to Practice Fencing by Yourself

Practicing fencing by yourself is not easy. Nothing can substitute for the unpredictability and dynamism of a real partner. But it is possible to hone some skills on your own. Basic attacks like cuts, directs or doubles can be fine-tuned effectively with a stationary practice unit. Parries and more complex attacks like renewals are impossible without a real partner. Stationary practice units emulate real fencers and can be either purchased or built yourself for free.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-4
  • Duct tape
  • Pillow
  • Marker
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Instructions

  1. Assembling a Stationary Practice Unit

    • 1

      Mount a 2-by-4 vertically on the wall by either screwing it in with 3-inch screws or taping it to the wall with duct tape.

    • 2

      Take four pieces of duct tape and fold them into loops so that the sticky portion is facing outward on all sides.

    • 3

      Use this double-sided duct tape to secure an old pillow to the two-by-four. The duct tape should be placed in a row down the middle of the pillow and spaced out every 4 inches.

    • 4

      Draw one bull's-eye in each corner of the pillow with a permanent marker.

    Practicing Alone Using Practice Unit

    • 5

      Practice a footwork drill before addressing the stationary practice unit. Moving forward in a straight line with each advance, perform an advance lunge en garde, an advance double/lunge en garde and an advance triple/lunge en garde. Then, retracing your steps, perform a lunge/en-garde retreat, a lunge/en-garde double retreat and a lunge/en-garde triple retreat. Do this three times.

    • 6

      Face the stationary practice unit. Decide whether you want to strike each succeeding bull's-eye in a clockwise or counterclockwise order. Then lunge forward, strike the first target with a cut. Retreat, then lunge forward again. Strike the second target with a double. Double-retreat and double-lunge forward. Strike the third target with a direct. Triple-retreat and triple-lunge forward. Strike the fourth target with another cut.

    • 7

      Take a two-minute break. Repeat the footwork exercise. Then repeat the series of attacks. This entire workout can be done three times in an hour.