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Fencing Definitions Advance Step forward with fencer's front leg. . muuk iHweiww ur series of movements by wbicb a fencer tries to score a point against bis opponent Beat Sharp tap on the opponent's blade to initiate an attack or threat of attack Counter-Parry: A defensive movement by which the fencer makes a small circle with the tip of the blade, around the opponent's blade and moves the opponent's blade away Disengage: Break of contact between fencers' blades: Movement made by passing the blade under the opponent's blade. *-ri blades. En Garde Position taken before a bout begins Feint A false attack intended to get a reaction from tbe opposing fencer wbicb win open her up to a genuine attack. FJecherd running attack. been any real breaks in the club was during the first and second World Wars," Thompson said. Thompson has coached the fenc ing club for six years. He grew up in Columbia and was a member of the fencing club when he attended USC. Thompson moved away from Columbia when he graduated. He continued his fencing career and got coaching experience in other parts of the country. When Thompson moved back to Columbia, the fencing club needed a coach and he filled the position. Now he teaches a one credit beginner's fencing class at USC as well. Many of the fencing club's mem bers joined because they took the USC class. Senior Nicole Moen joined the fencing club after she took the class and has been a member for two years. X V ?K #x .X-k fek. Julia Korony, the highest-rated epee f Olympic demonstration at Blatt P.E. ' "I took the class for exercise, and I liked it and decided to join the club," Moen said. The fencing club also offers classes to people who want to learn fencing but can't take the USC class, Thompson said. It plans to hold a summer camp at Blatt P. E. Center in July for all ages. Thompson said the club is beginning to train all age groups and even people outside the school. Thompson said the fencing club now has over 25 members. He said not every member makes it to their Tuesday and Thursday practices. "It's a good number [of members] and a good club," Thompson said. "I think it's [the club] awful fun," said former USC student Steele Stolberg, who's new to the club. Membership is open to all USC I?! r' * ' >\ % ? ? ? Illl encer in South Carolina and a member c Center. Fencing teams from several diffe students, faculty and staff Thompson said all age groups are represented in the club as well as all levels of fencing skill. Members onl} have to pay a fee of $25 a semester tc inin. The fenrino rlnb nrnvides am equipment needed. "I've only been fencing with the club for about two months now, anc I'm not very good at it yet," Stolberg said. The fencing club hosts at least twc tournaments a year, although this year they've had four, including benefit the Harvest Hope Food Bank. "It was a really good tournament,' Thompson said. "We'll be doing one like it again." Most tournaments are held L?, J:?C __1 1. 1:1 UCLWCCll UiliClCllL 5CIIUUI5, IIKC 111U5I NCAA tournaments. The fencing club is not NCAA affiliated, but is part of the school's Sports Clut ^n ? v* ' * ?5 - : I SbHL 0 g ^ **s&^ iJ"i'"'ifiT^W^iifilll^L| i'MWi 11> in , i > m *>v^ I^eT^J- ' S^oSSS * kM ^Sfe- * ^"* 1 >f the Columbia Fencers' Club, scores a toe rent countries trained at USC before the 19 Council and receives funds from Student Activity fees. Each different fencing style has its . ^ r 1 I I r own sec or ruies. in epee, a aescen> dant of the dueling sword, a fencer i can be hit anywhere on the body. Fencers who fight sabre, a modern : version of the slashing calvary sword, 1 must hit from the waist to the head. ; Foil fencers must hit in the torso area. The foil sword is derived from ) the dueling rapier, a sword officers > generally used. Thompson said fencing is both a physical and mental sport. He said ' one can practice it for his entire life. : "Fencing is not just for the young and athletic," Thompson said. "For I example, I once fenced an 82-year: old, and he beat me." \ Thompson said one has to train the ? body physically to do movements it's ) not used to doing. One must train to I I jp 4 touch during an epee bout at a pre96 Atlanta Olympic Games. move and run around quickly. Thompson considers fencing a good physical sport. A fencer also has to deal with .the, mental aspects of the game. There are many techniques and strategies which must be considered. A fencer must be able to think niiirlrlu r\f hie npvf mmrp "Fencing is like chess on wheels. One has to make decisions like in chess, but they have to be made instantly," Thompson said. Thompson believes fencing can have many benefits for those who practice it. Thompson believes one the best things fencing does is build one's physical fitness. "Fencing is one of the best physical fitness sports," Thompson said. "In the 1976 OlvmDics. onlv weight lifters had higher physical fitness than fencers."