From: sinister@ac.dal.ca
Newsgroups: rec.sport.fencing
Subject: Olympic and Classic and SCA, and stuff....
Date: 13 Dec 92 14:36:48 -0400
Organization: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

In article <Qf_nPQe00YUnQ1Tdsy@andrew.cmu.edu>, Randy M Bruno <rb6b+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
>     I'm strictly a foil fencer, but (after talking to lots of classical
> fencers and lots of SCA fencers) I believe there is something to be said
> for SCA technique. I don't think either technique is significantly
> better than the other (although perhaps one is marginally better).

	Don't take this as a flame, good sir, it isn't.  In point of fact,
the SCA recreates the type of fence which is the forebearer of the now-
Olympic style.  Our fencing concepts are of the period before which, in
France for example, dueling was outlawed.  The current Olympic-style of
rear-hand high, 2X14 piste and twisted-body stance are a result of honor
duels having to be fought in alleys in the middle of the night.
	The SCA in-the-round style is a result of a time when it was 
perfectly acceptable for two swordsmen to pick a time and place to settle
thier differences; generally a feild out of town where they wouldn't be 
bothered.  As well, the use of the non-weaponed arm as a blade-deflector
roates the stance around somewhat.  So, in a sense, it is SCA fencing 
which is "Classical" in origin :).
	Just my humble opinion :).

>     A friend of mine who is a classical fencer and knew nothing about
> SCA style showed up at an SCA event and destroyed every SCA fencer he
> encountered. I think it would be rather arrogant of classical fencers to
> conclude that this proves classical technique is any better than SCA
> technique.

	I agree... I'll probably regret this statement at my next Eastrealm
rapier tourney, but I'll say it anyway :).  I pride myself on being able
to "kill" 3 for 5 bouts any Olympic-style fencer I've yet met.  I've 
specifically taught myself a period Itallian style of a chap named Cappeoni.
I also, just to be a pest, mix in a bit of Agrripa, depending on who I am
fencing.  I also teach and practice these styles ALOT, specifically with
"Olympic-killing" in mind.  

> Classical (or "sport") fencers tend to practice more
> frequently and work-out (in a strict athletic sense) more often than SCA
> fencers. (Of course, there are exceptions.) It's unfair to SCA technique
> to judge it by the amount of training the participants are able to
> invest in it.

	I agree wholeheartedly....  Recently, a pupil of mine at his
first rapier-tourney placed 3rd out of 15 to 17 combattants.  Essentially
because we had been practicing twice to three times a week for a little
while.  It should be noted he was fencing by Cappeoni, vs a largely
Olympic-style crowd.  The two fellows who beat him out were much more
experienced, having the ability to used alternate forms (2nd place was
dueling with rapier and buckler predominately and 1rst, as I recall was
rapier and attack-dagger, mainly).  Training heavliy vs occasionally 
will by definition have an significant effect. 



	Michel R. Vaillancourt  (Known in the SCA as Cosmano)
	sinister@ac.dal.ca			Halifax, NS
Newsgroups: rec.sport.fencing