The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-12
FIRST MOVES
IN FENCING
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES TOO
OFTEN SIGHTED.
Professor j. Leslabay Outlines the.
Preliminary Movements as Taught
by the JoinyiIle-LePont French
Military school OF Fencing-The
4 French and Italian Methods Differ
Slightly.
nv PREDECESSORS J, LEsLABAY

A great many articles have been
gritten on fencing but almost all Of
them treat OF it in general. or spe-
cially of difficult thrusts and parties,
which are only understood by experts,
We will here explain the preliminary
movements of fencing as taught by
the Joinville-LePont French military
school of fencing.
How to Hold the Foil.
The way the foil is held in the
hand is very important, and should
not be overlooked. Hold the handle
of the foil In your right hand, the
thumb stretched over, and close to
meath. Hold the foil with the thumb
and the forehnger, the other fingers
always@on the handle, but loose, until
the time of the parry, when they
should tighten to, sustain it.
The Guard.
The guard is the best position indi-
Gated by experience to be ready for
either the attack or defense. The
guard should be taken in seven move
mentS.s&. ,..E
Position Of Attention.
The position of attention is the fol-
lowing: The feet at right angles with
each other, the head, erect, the right
arm and foil extending downwards,
the left hand hanging down natural
ly. the body so that your right side
will be facing your opponent
Taking the Guard from Attention.
First-Raise the arm and foil, the
hand opposite the eye, the thumb
over.
Seeond-Drop the arm and foil, the
point four inches from the floor.
Third-Bring the foil horizontally
to the body, turning the right hand.
nails beneath, at the same time bring
the left hand against the hilt, the
nails next to the blade. 81.
Fourth-Br1ng up the foil, bending
your arms, and passing it close to
the body, over your head, the arms
extended. >;
Fifth-Place the left arm behind
your head in curved position, at the
same time drop the right hand in
front of your right. breast, the elbow
not touching the body and we'll in
the point of the foil opposite your op-
ponent's right eye.
4, SiXth-Bend the legs, parting the
knees, without moving the feet.
Seventh-Place the weight of the
body on your left leg, advance the
right foot a short distance; the righ
heel exactly on the same line as the
left.
The following movements are
drawn from the guard position:
The Advance.
Bring the right foot to the from
without disturbing either the body o.
the foil, and follow with the left foo
at the original distance.
The Retreat
Bring back the left foot withou
disturbing either body. or foil. ant
follow with the right foot at the sam
distance. The advance and retrea
should be done quickly but withou
jumping. ."
The Calls.
Beat twice the floor lightly with tn
right foot without altering the pois
of the body. This exercise is to ties
the equilibrium Of the body, and I;
fencer in good guard should be abb
:, to do 1t at any time.
Extension of the Arm Brightly =
: Extend the arm without jerks, with
out moving either the shoulder or tn
body, at the same time turn the hand
placing the nails lightly over the poin
of the foil a little lower than tn
hand. ~
( To return "in guard bend the fore
arm without jerks. The fencer shoul
always (when his arm is extended
be able to see over his own wrist /
The Lunge.
4 The lunge should be vigorousl
done as it is the movement whic
arm as described. and immediatel
extend the left leg, and throw for
ward the right foot as far as possible
without losing your balance, the let
arm going down and leaving the han
-four inches from the left leg. TIL
right foot should pass close to tn
floor. Place the left foot fiat, wit
the knee turned outside. The fence
should lunge as far as possible, an
with practice will improve.
s. The Right Calf.
The right thigh is now at rigl
angles. To go back in guard" ben
quickly the left leg, bend the rigl
arm, and throw the body back in til
lt'guard' position, with the right foo
Some people call a long lunge lyin
down. This is a great mistake. On
ignorant persons will mistake what
called in fencing 'broken lunge" fl
Lying down. The lunge should /
spracticed as often as possible.
The Recover to the Front.
This exercise is the one whic
nuE