Sword Fighter Australia’s Fun 4 Kids Event - Warrnambool ‘08

http://www.fun4kids.com.au/rscms_homepagelist.php

Australia’s biggest and (self proclaimed) best children’s festival was held in Victoria’s western coastal town of Warrnambool, run by the “Fun 4 Kids Program” this July school holidays. Thousands of children and their parents visited this 8 day event run in the centre of this pretty coastal town.

Amongst a host of other activities including concerts by Dorothy the Dinosaur, and numerous construction zones for sand, wood, paper, boxes, felt, newspaper and anything else young minds can think of, the future fencers of Australia had a chance to swash and buckle with children from all over Australia.  

Following on from the event a few news media articles appeared; 

1 A photo in the local Warrnamboolnewspaper  ’The Standard’.

June 2008 [13]

Point in Line

Definition; Priority gained (prior to opponent) by extending point and Arm first and maintaining a horizontal plane directly at opponent.

Intent: Take priority prior to opponent, catching opponent into performing a counter attack, often performed whilst stationery, or during one step back.

Practice: Fast controlled movement of the point and blade ending in a stationery blade, with a partner, practice the Point in Line before the lunge of the other fencer begins

Tip: A controlled hand and still point make the action more effective and observable to the referee.  A mirror is an effective tool to keep the blade steady and observe the referees sight of the action (side view).

 The Fencing Timetable for the Beijing Olympic Games

Saturday 9th: Womens Sabre Individual

Sunday 10th: Mens Epee Individual

Monday 1th: Womens Foil Individual (Jo Halls)

Tuesday 12th: Mens Sabre Individual

Wednesday 13th: Mens Foil Individual

Wednesday 13th: Womens Epee Individual (Amber Parkinson)

Thursday 14th: Womens Team Sabre

Friday 15th: Mens Team Epee

Saturday 16th: Womens Team Foil

Sunday 17th: Mens Team Sabre

Friday 22nd: Womens Modern Pentathlon (Angie Darby)

For Further Information .Beijing Site.

Australian Folist Jo Halls came 22nd in Las Vegas last weekend

for more info fie.ch

June 2008 [12]

Parry Seconde (2)

Definition; Low line Parry, in outside line, hand pronated at pelvis height, point level at thigh / knee level.  More commonly used in Sabre, when defending the gauntlet.

Intent: To Parry down and outward quickly, often used as a variation and unexpected.

Practice: Defender stationary, attacker lunges at gauntlet, defender quick wrist & forearm  movement inside and down in parrying action, followed by riposte preferably to attackers (Sabre & Epee) wrist / arm.

Tip: Try not to twist the elbow too severely, which can lead to tendonitis and similar injuries.  As with most effective parries, a simultaneous small backward step, is very effective in increasing distance and allowing more time for the parry + riposte.

Italian fencing site Feder Scherma has an article on Vezzali’s win in the Havana World Cup.

Valentina Vezzali has won a record breaking 60 Gold Medals.

Legendary…

Australian Olympians have been involved in some interviews of late…

Links are available

The West Australian 

The Official Site of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team

The Official Site of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team

The Official Site of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team

Angie Darby interview

Jo Halls ABC interview 

Radio Interview

if you know of any more…please email: chris@swordfightersaustralia.com

as at 16 June 08,

The FIE has ratified the athletes and teams who will be competing in the Beijing Olympics in August.

for more details FIE.CH

June 2008 [11]

Counter Attack

Defintion; An attack performed after the opponent’s. (In Foil and Sabre it will not receive a point unless the opponents attack misses).

Intent: To preferably stop an attack in its tracks, thus taking over and achieving a hit.  Often in Foil and Sabre, the intent was to start first but didn’t in the referee’s opinion. In Epee a counter attack is performed to hit first as the target is closer than before.

Practice: An understanding of what is an attack is important before attempting, lunging into an attack is a practical situation, however the best scenario is that the first attack misses.  Stand just outside lunge distance with a partner and wait until the opponent starts attack, then lunge into it aiming for the chest (or weapon arm)

Tip: A fast counter attack is usually more successful, so short sharp movements directly into the chest

Timetable for Sydney AFF #4 Australian Nationals 2008

Friday 28th November 2008

Mens Foil 9.00

Womens Sabre 11.00

Womens Sabre Teams 3.30 (immediately follows individuals)

Saturday 29th November 2008

Womens Epee 9.00

Mens Foil Teams 11.00

Veterans Mens Foil 2.00

Veterans Womens Sabre 2.30

Sunday 30th November 2008

Mens Epee 9.00

Womens Epee Teams 11.00

Veterans Mens Sabre 2.00

Veteran Womens Epee 2.30

Monday 1st November 2008

Womens Foil 9.00

Mens Epee Teams 9.30

Mens Sabre 12.00

Veteran Mens Epee 2.30

Tuesday 2nd November 2008

Mens Sabre Teams 9.00

Womens Foil Teams 9.30

Veteran Womens Foil 1.00

Weapon Check

6:00 - 7:30pm Thursday 27th.

Also available: 1 hour before roll call . Each Day from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Venue: Anne Clark Netball Centre.. Church Street, Lidcombe.