Fencing Practice Drills

Fencing is a combat sport. A fencer's uniform consists of five different parts: the jacket, glove, mask, plastron and breeches. For fencers wanting to take part in fencing in college, 42 universities compete competitively in this sport. The Summer Olympics holds fencing events every four years, one of four sports to have the honor. A total of 32 countries have won at least one medal in fencing (as of 2010).

  1. Dagger Drills

    • Dagger drills in fencing allow for competitors to gain a sense of motion on the floor. The dagger drill is for a pair of fencers to practice. Fencers need their sword, or rapier, for this drill. The first fencer thrusts with his rapier while the second fencer parries. The second fencer now thrusts while the first fencer parries. Ideally, the practice should start slow and then speed up as the drill goes longer.

    Circling

    • Circling drills build rapier control and movement through the process of fine tuning motor skills. These drills can be preformed with a single fencer. Stand across the room facing a circular object. Advanced fencers should use a small object while novice fencers should use a larger object. Fencers will make 10 clockwise movements, then 10 counterclockwise movements. To finish, make 10 "U" movements and 10 upside-down "U" movements.

    Reciprocal Drills

    • Soviet foil drills are more commonly known as reciprocal drills. These drills help develop a sense of timing and distance. The drill requires two fencers. Part one has a fencer as the attacker with a rapier. The rapier-less defender must maintain perfect distance without being touched. Part two has both fencers with a rapier. The defender may not use the rapier to block the other fencer. Part three allows both fencers to attempt to score with their rapier. When one attacks, the other can only use distance as a defense.