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Affiliations The Huntsville Fencing Club is a member of the United States Fencing Association (USFA), the governing body of modern fencing in the United States. The USFA is a member of both the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE).
Open Fencing We practice at the Huntsville Athletic Club (HAC) in the Aerobics Room on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to around 5 p.m. Visitors are always welcome. Club membership (not required for students in the beginning class) is $30 per year, prorated, the membership year being August to July. Floor fees are $3 per visit, waved for first-time visitors. These are the only required fees, and they are used entirely to pay club expenses such as rent and the purchase and maintenance of club equipment. Out-of-state visitors are not required to join the club unless they routinely train with us. Members of other clubs are welcome, but if they intend to train with us routinely we require them to become associate members.
Instruction We offer group instruction in beginning foil, individual instruction in epee, foil, and saber, and periodic clinics in footwork, technique, tactics, and weapon repair. Occasionally, we offer clinics in historical fencing, specifically the smallsword, backsword, and cutlass. Students may begin learning to fence at almost any age, and we have had many students begin in their forties, fifties, and sixties. However, we seldom instruct students under the age of twelve, as fencing does require a minimum level of physical and psychological development, and most youth under twelve, no matter how bright, athletic, or enthusiastic, do not meet this requirement. We do not want to see a young student’s enthusiasm diminish in the face of the physical and mental discipline fencing requires. On a case by case basis we will occasionally teach a beginner one-on-one, instead of in a class setting. Interested parties may inquire, but in nearly all instances we refer the student to the next beginning class. The decision is the instructor’s. Instruction is provided by Benerson Little, a fencer for more than thirty years who studied under Hungarian world-class fencers and masters Dr. Francis Zold and Dr. Eugene Hamori. (see Links Page)
Beginning Foil Beginning foil is an eight session class (sixteen total hours of instruction) designed to provide the beginning fencer with a thorough practical ability in the basic skills necessary for free fencing. Safety is emphasized. The course also leaves the novice fencer with a working knowledge of the traditions, courtesies, and rules of fencing followed worldwide. Fencing is physical, psychological, and intellectual, and few sports have a history as rich and colorful. We provide all necessary equipment (foil, mask, glove, and jacket). Students must wear comfortable clothing, preferably athletic, and athletic shoes. Sweat pants or similar clothing must cover the legs: shorts do not adequately protect the legs from inadvertent thrusts or hits. Court shoes are preferred over running shoes, but are not mandatory. The class fee is $100, payable not later than the end of the second class. Students are not required to join the club during the class, nor pay floor fees. The class is normally offered five times per year, on Saturdays, Noon to 2 p.m. Class size is limited and the fee is subject to change, so please inquire and register early.
Individual Instruction We also offer epee, foil, and saber individual lessons. Lessons are usually available Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Our goal is to promote the sport of fencing, thus our rates are very reasonable; we are not a business. A polite word of caution: if you're
looking for a club where hand-holding is the norm, this is probably not be
the place for you. Although we offer thorough instruction and are always
willing to assist fencers, we have neither the time nor the philosophical
inclination to engage in excessive hand-holding of fencers or, for that
matter, their parents. In our opinion such over-attention, while it may make
good business sense for some clubs, is ultimately counter-productive.
Over-attention wrongly teaches fencers to rely on their instructors rather
than upon themselves, thus denying them the greatest lesson that fencing
teaches, that of self-reliance under pressure.
Clinics We hold periodic clinics (1) for former fencers who wish to begin fencing again but are perhaps too rusty to jump right back in, (2) for current fencers who desire additional instruction in footwork, technique, or tactics, and (3) for those who wish to learn more about weapon repair and care. Clinic dates are determined as required, and typically consist of one or two two-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays.
Inquiries If you are interested in taking classes, arranging for lessons, or attending a clinic, please use the Contact Us form located on our website and we'll gladly get you the information.
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Copyright © 2004 Huntsville
Fencing Club. All rights reserved. |