Types of Fencing

• The first step is choosing a fencing club is to decide which type of fencing you would like to learn. "Sport fencing" is the international sport of fencing with the foil, epee or saber, as practiced in the Olympics. In the United States, sport fencing is governed by the United States Fencing Association. "Classical fencing" uses the same three traditional weapons as sport fencing, but emphasizes a martial approach to their use, as if preparing for an actual duel. "Historical fencing" is the practice of older weapons such as the rapier or the longsword, based on the study of ancient fencing manuals.
  
  

Sport Fencing

• The Worcester Fencing Club (worcesterfencing.com) in Worcester, Massachusetts offers lessons in modern sport fencing with the foil, epee and saber under the guidelines of the USFA. Both group classes and private lessons are offered. In addition to the standard three fencing weapons, classes are also offered in stage combat (the art of sword fighting for plays or movies) and in the Chinese martial Art of Tai Chi Chuan. Lessons in sport fencing are also available at the Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy (pioneerfencingacademy.com) in Easthampton, Massachusetts.
  
  

Classical Fencing

• Lessons in classical fencing are available at the Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The emphasis in this class is on the use of the foil, but lessons in the saber and epee are also available. Classes in the foil, epee and saber are also taught at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts. Instructor Ken Mondschein is certified as a "Prevot D'Escrime" (a provost, or "instructor of fencing") by the United States Fencing Coaches Association. He is also a Higgins Armory Research Fellow, and holds a doctoral degree in medieval history from Fordham University.
  
  

Historical Fencing

• Historical fencing lesson are offered at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester. The primary focus of these lessons is on the 17th century Italian rapier style, as described in the manuals of fencing masters such as Capo Ferro, Fabris and Giganti. Lessons are also offered in other historical weapons such as the baton, cane and longsword. The Association for Renaissance and Medieval Swordsmanship is based at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, but members meet as a study group at the Amherst College Alumni Gym.