The Fortress Group
Fencing

TIPS

DRILLS

ITEMS FOR SALE

LINKS

Welcome to my fencing site. I have been the University of North Dakota Fencing Club Coach since 1988 and have been certified by the USFA Coaches College and the American Coaching Effectiveness Program. Our club program is primarily Foil, with Sabre on demand as time allows. I teach all age groups above 13 years old, with beginners through all levels. Traditional form is adhered to, with no 'flicks' allowed or tolerated.
Club membership averages 18 Foilists, most being recreational. The competitive ones, while fewer, do quite well. Due to the college setting, most members stay for two or so years before moving on - this being the bane of coaches everywhere.

The UNDFC meets at the UND Armory on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-9pm during the school year. Summer fencing is held at my home to get ready for the State Games. Both individual and group lessons make up the majority of practices. Each night ends with free fencing to try out new material. Fencing is done usually dry, with electric equipment spared for tournament practice. All visitors are welcome, and there is no floor fee. Young fencers under 13 are welcome if they have at least one year of experience.

Our competitions are usually in Winnipeg, MB., 2 hours away. Minnesota has a great program, and friendly fencers, but most tournaments are 6+ hours away. We have also enjoyed tournaments in South Dakota, Colorado, Washington, and in state. Some of the road trips have memories that will last a lifetime.

• $30.00 for university students with own equipment.
• $40.00 for university students and club equipment.
• $40.00 for non students with own equipment.
• $50.00 for non students and club equipment.
• $10.00 extra for electric equipment for competitors.

Individual lessons at my home are:

• $85.00 for a 22 hour beginners course.
• $15.00 for 1/2hr. intermediate level.
• $20.00 for 1/2hr. advanced level.

• Womens armor - full cover collar bone to waist, super light and strong 3/32" Kydex_TM. Two sizes.
  $65.00 ( $10.00 Optional side flex plates.)
• Poster - MURPHY'S LAW FOR FENCING (practical experience strikes).
  $5.00
• Poster - YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN TROUBLE WHEN--- (and strikes again).
  $5.00
• The Foiler - A 12"x12"x36" shoulder/hand carry rack for 25 foils. Full blade protection. Tapered to stand in back seat. You can supply most of the parts cheaper then I can send them.
  $45.00 for aluminum plate and instructions.
  $35.00 for PVC plate and instructions.
  $10.00 for instructions alone.
• Postage will be current rate for all items. ($7.76 for plastic plate 10-28-05)
• The Terror - Finally a use for all your broken blades. Uses all types. Mine uses 30 foil blades. Teaches fine finger, wrist, elbow, and shoulder control in easy stages. Loved by competitors, feared by beginners. Instructions on use and construction in wood or steel.
  $6.00

  For more information e-mail me.
  To order items, write to:
  Michael Anson
  Box 74
  Arvilla, ND 58214
  

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  These tips may help some of you. They are in no particular sequence, and will expand over time, so please read thru.
  

  • It is the student's responsibility to learn from as many sources as possible. Read good fencing books, ask questions of opponents, and experiment wisely.
  • The greatest book there ever was printed is The Theory and Practice of Fencing by Julio Martinez Castello in 1933. This is where I learned to fence after Jeff left.
  • Another great book is Modern Fencing by Michel Alaux in 1975.
  • More recently are FOIL by Charles Selberg in 1993 and Preparing the Mind by Aladar Kogler in 1993.
  • A great sabre book is Fencing With the Sabre by Roger Crosnier in 1955. Although electric sabre lets one 'cheat' on the hits with scoring with the blade side, and there aren't any more fleches, the text is pretty current.

  • Practice all eight parries from all hand positions - not just from enguard in fourth.
  • Do not create a safety hazard with wide swinging salutes - corner judges do not wear masks and may not 'be able' to see your hits.
  • Use sabre quint (5th) for foil, with hand stopping just over shoulder to defend weapon arm shoulder. May also be used offensively to open large target area.
  • Fence from enguards of 1st, 2nd, and 7th for great variety. You may thank me after you get used to it.
  • Try fencing with your blade at a 45 down off to your weapon side, exposing your entire body. Now use your feet. Blade actions are different yet effective.
  • Against opponents whom always seem to retreat just that right inch, try a rapid hop from the toes at the end of the lunge using your momentum. It'll gain 10-12".
  • Always consider a weapon as sharp.
  • When your coach says 'always do this' it means until something else is learned.
  • Rotate hand/blade some on parries and beats - contact with blade edge to lessen whip as blade is thicker in this direction.

  • Be sure you have adequate arch support in all shoes. Many times have I corrected this to my fencers' relief. Top center of foot should be in center of knee when squating.
  • Grip a towel in weapon hand with partner at other end behind you to give resistance as you lunge. This will engrain the 'hand before foot' rule.
  • Silicone auto lube scubbed into blades will help against rust. Wipe off excess.
  • Besure you use the right length tip screws - there are two distinct lengths.
  • CLR cleaner works well to remove rust stains from jackets. Oxallic acid works but is too strong for some materials.
  • Occasional Mink Oil preserves gloves alot longer.
  • If you can't afford new sneaks right now, clean old soles with brush and detergent, then draw designs with Shoe Goo all over for new traction. Even worked on mesh strips for quite awhile.
  • Carry instant glue for emercency wire fixes at tourneys.
  • Label all equipment.

  • Your diet affects your fencing and stamina more than you think.
  • Drink liquid meals during tournaments such as Ensure or Boost. No brick in the gut, and a steady fuel supply. Remember that a mask is a poor strainer.
  • Promax Bars have helped me alot, too.
  • Lifting weights helps the competitor - strong muscles move faster and last longer, and the concentration in training is enhanced.

  • Parking lots are usually quieter than motels for sleeping. Take ear plugs and bug spray for either.
  • Road trips require more time than planned, but can be quite enjoyable. Or at least they stick in your mind.

  • A lame that seems to have alot of new dead spots showing white light hits in it's middle may be caused by the reel.
  • Do not be afraid to ask for equipment checks during a bout if there are doubts.
  • Intermitant white lights during blade movements: check for loose barrel or bad wire.
  • Inconsistant colored lights in hits: change weapons - may have the wrong screws in the tip.

  Home Page

  This summer (1999) I made a trip to New York, where I got to fence in Buffalo and Ithaca. The Buffalo crew can be contacted thru Sherry at wuensch@sc3101.med.buffalo.edu. They are good people. The Ithaca crew were also friendly, with a great coach from whom I took several lessons. His training tends to be for the physically fit (trust me) and follows the traditional hit-but-don't-get-hit style of combat. I brought several of his ideas back to my club. Their web site is IFV and the contact is Adam Adrian Crown, Maitre d'Armes at ifv@clarityconnect.com

  A few links of possible interest:

  • Bookfind has a great search for Fencing books if you have the title or author.
  • Bookbarn found a couple old great books for me.
  • A map of the campus - we are at C8 corner opposite the heat plant.
  • John Nordlie is one of our fencers.
  • If you want something a little risque, try Viva la Differance.