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Salle Green a modern and classical fencing school
A Comparison of Approaches to Fencing |
Salle Green offers instruction in both modern competitive Amateur Fencing and in Classical Fencing. We have a long association with Classical Fencing (Maitre Green was active in a Classical Fencing organization known as the Dry Fencing Association in Minnesota in 1971), and a longer association with Amateur Fencing, dating back to 1965 (Maitre Green fenced sabre for Duke University and studied sabre under Fencing Master Giorgio Santelli in college). We believe that both approaches offer advantages that compliment each other and that enrich the range of fencing experiences available to our students. For those interested in the differences between the two approaches, the following table provides a comparison that may be helpful in finding the approach that best suits your needs.
| Amateur Fencing | Point of Comparison | Classical Fencing |
| modern Olympic sport - the weapon is a sophisticated piece of sporting equipment used to score touches against an opponent - the focus is on hitting the opponent more times than you are hit | Philosophy | European combat art - fencing is done as though the point of the weapon were sharp - the focus is on hitting without being hit |
| sport is constantly evolving to maximize competitive success - our teaching is based on modern Russian and Hungarian schools | Evolution | technique is based on the classical French and Italian schools of the late 1800s and early 1900s |
| emphasis is on the development of elite competitive athletes - recreational fencing in clubs is also valued | Focus | emphasis is on personal development of excellent technique, self-discipline and physical fitness, and on combat with fencers you like and respect and who share your values |
| Foil, Epee, and Sabre - weapons use French and orthopaedic grips - individual students may start with weapons that best suit their development as competitors | Weapons | Foil, Epee, and Sabre - weapons use the French and Italian grips - individual students start with the Foil |
| bouts are scored by electrical equipment that eliminates debate as to hits - all bouts are fought until opponents are hit 5 times - officials in competitions ensure safety and a fair contest | Scoring | bouts are scored based on acknowledgement of touches that land with no requirement for electric equipment - judging of bouts is done to broaden the understanding of the officials and the fencers - Foil and Sabre are fought to 5 touches, Epee to 1 touch |
| bouts are fenced in a competitive format to provide training for tournaments | Fencing in the Club | informal assaults are fenced without counting touches for recreation and to assist in the development of technique |
| state, sectional, and national individual and team competitions in 3 weapons for men and for women, for teams, and in age groups | Competition | club tournaments for all fencers are judged on both the number of touches scored and on the excellence of style and technique |
| 5 level national classification system based on competitive success - Salle has a 5 level proficiency award system based on mastering techniques to competition standard | Personal Progression | Salle has a 9 level Classical Fencing Rank system based on basic skill development, training in skills against other fencers, and free bouting |