Lesson #2 - More Footwork

I am not as frazzled today as in the first lesson, though I didn't get much sleep last night.  The funny thing is I spent most of the night watching footage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Men's Foil competition.  I guess you could call it homework?

Managed to make it on time to this lesson, which works because I figure show up late twice in a row and your coach starts noticing a pattern.  Next thing you know you are unreliable and not suited to compete; the whole reason I'm in this thing to begin with--well, I guess to have fun, too.

I walk into an empty studio and ten minutes later a new prospect, Rich, walks through the door.  Great, I've been fencing for two days and now I've got to try and help Leslie, the coach, sell the club. 

Fencing Video: Beijing Olympics 2008 - Men's Foil - Sanzo ITA v Ota JPN - Part 1

This epic bout pits two great fencers together. Watch as they stay neck and neck through the entire first round.

Lesson #1 - Fancy Footwork

Good start to the day.  The alarm clock neglected to go off so I managed to wake up with just enough time to throw clothes on and rush to the fencing club.  Nothing gives a better impression than being late for your first lesson.

As I walked through the studio entrance, Leslie, the coach greeted me.  Seems she was willing to overlook my tardiness this time around. Phew!

She took me over to the weapons.  First, I needed to learn a little bit about a fencer's tools and the differences between them.  She explains the three swords to me: Foil, Epee (Eh-Pay), and Sabre.  Each sword measures at around three feet, but the main differences lie in their rules.