THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-19
 

30 December 2005

1.  BEGINNERS' COURSE SCHEDULE:  Our beginners courses for January and February start as follows at the Salle at 11058 Washington Highway in Glen Allen:

Tuesday - 3 January at 7:00 pm

Monday - 6 February at 7:00 pm

2.  NEW YEARS SCHEDULE:  Over the New Year's weekend the Salle has the following schedule:

December 31st - no open fencing at 12 noon.

January 1st - no open fencing at 11:00 am

January 1st - at 1:00 pm the 3 Weapon New Years Tournament (see below)

January 1st - at 3:00 pm Escrime Artistique practice

3.  THE 3 WEAPON NEW YEARS TOURNAMENT: Have you sat too long, partied too hard, ate too much, etc. over the Holidays?  Have you not fenced in too long?  Do you just want to get out and fight?  Well, if the answer is yes, then the 3 Weapon New Years Tournament is for you.  Open to all Salle members, the ground rules are simple - come and fight your favorite weapon against your favorite opponents.  We will run a single pool - if there are just a few fencers, everyone fences everyone.  If a horde shows up, we will fence until everyone has fenced a set number of bouts.  You can fence any opponent with any weapon that is mutually agreeable - Fence opponent 1 with foil, number 2 with sabre, number 3 with epee or any combination thereof or stay in only one weapon.  Entry fee is $1.00.  Medals will be awarded based on the number of participants.

And if you still have Anniversary Tournament bouts to fight, you can fight them also.

4.  SKILL PROGRESSION RECOGNITION:  Congratulations to the following members for progress in the Salle's skill progression training system:

Amateur Foil Level 1 (Red):

Charles Wendt

Kelley Wendt

We have several members who have passed practical requirements at Level 2, and the new Level 2 knowledge material will be ready the first week of the New Year.

5.  REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR MAIL BOX:  Invoices and notices (including the new price card for 2006) are in your mail box.  Parents, make sure your young adult fencers bring home the contents.

6.  TRAINING TIP:  The key to rapid, smooth mobility on the strip is footwork.  Every day practice the following set of footwork at least 20 times (even world championship level fencers spend hours each week working on their footwork):

(1) Advance

(2) Advance twice

(3) Retreat

(4) Retreat twice

(5) Advance then retreat

(6) Retreat then advance

(7) Advance and lunge

(8) Retreat and lunge

(9) Advance, then retreat and lunge

(10) Retreat, then advance and lunge

Remember to stop randomly once every several sets and check the position of your feet.  Your feet should be on the fencing line, approximately shoulder width apart, in an L shape with the heel of the back foot, heel of the front foot, and toe of the front foot in a straight line.

7.  NOBLE COMPANY OF THE SWORD VOLUNTEERS:  Our Escrime Artistique competition team (the Noble Company of the Sword) has started training with the Medieval Long Sword and Great Sword.  We still have opportunities for anyone interested in historical swordsmanship, but we are looking for people who are willing to put in the serious long term effort needed to master an entirely different form of swordplay and a very different form of competition.  If competing at the international level against the best historical swordsmen and swordswomen in the world is a challenge you want, come to the next session on Sunday afternoon.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-18

5 December 2005

1.  BEGINNERS’ COURSE TONIGHT:  We start our Beginner’s course for December tonight at 7:00 pm in our facility at 11058 Washington Highway.  The class meets every Monday night for 8 weeks for one hour and provides an introduction to foil fencing, experiences with epee and sabre, and an end of class tournament.  Cost is $85.00 for the course, including equipment use – we supply foil, mask, a clean jacket for each session, glove, and plastron.  

2.  BAD WEATHER POLICY:  The Salle opens on time for all scheduled courses and lessons unless there is a snow or ice accumulation on roads that makes it dangerous to drive.  In case of doubt please call 241-0972 and err on the side of caution.  We can always make up lost time on the strip – traffic accidents are much harder to deal with.

3.  MAITRE D’ARMES DIPLOMA AWARDED:  On 1 December Walter Green was formally awarded the diploma of Maitre d’Armes by the Academie d’Armes Internationale, the international federation of 16 national associations of fencing masters.  Maitre d’Armes, or Fencing Master, is the highest credential in fencing, awarded based on the completion of rigorous examinations of teaching skill in all three weapons and the submission of an academic thesis.  Maitre Green completed his practical examination at Bad Karlshafen in Germany on 9 October before a panel composed of the President of the AAI, the President of the Akademie der Fechtkunst Deutschlands (ADFD), and the Training Leader of the ADFD.  He previously qualified in the lower grades of Prevot in June 2005 and Moniteur in all three weapons in 2004.  Maitre Green is one of 55 fencing masters in the United States recognized with national and international credentials.

4.  YES, WE FENCE:  Sunday’s open fencing generated a new Salle record – 10 fencers fought 51 bouts in one hour.  Open fencing runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on Saturdays and from 11:00 to 12 noon on Sundays on days when the competition team is not at a meet.

5.  ANNIVERSARY AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATION:  After open fencing on Sunday, the 18th, at 1:30 pm we will host an informal reception in the Salle to celebrate our first year of operation in permanent facilities.  Even if you do not come to fence, do plan to enjoy food and comradeship with us.  

6.  INTRODUCTION TO ESCRIME ARTISTIQUE:  Because spaces are limited, please confirm if you plan to attend the introductory Escrime Artistique workshop, starting at 1:30 pm on the 11th.  This workshop has been approved by the United States Fencing Coaches Association for four hours of professional training for fencing coaches.  We will cover the evolution of historical fencing, escrime artistique rules, and safety guidelines, and introduce participants to the first solo exercises in Medieval long sword and great sword and Renaissance rapier.  Cost for Salle members is $20.00, for others $40.00.

7.  ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM:  Maitre Green has been tasked by the United States Fencing Coaches Association’s Certification and Accreditation Board with the development of a national program to train Assistant Instructors.  The Assistant Instructor certification is designed specifically for fencers who will help train other fencers in Beginner and Group classes in the club setting.  If you are interested in helping teach, and would be willing to serve as a pilot tester for the program, please let Maitre Green know.

8.  ANNIVERSARY TOURNAMENT AND LADDER:  Both the Anniversary Tournament and the Quarterly Ladder tournament are being competed, with a lot of challenge activity going on.  For Classical Fencers the Anniversary Tournament event is the Marxbruder Shield. You can fence bouts in either one at Weekend Open Fencing, in or after class sessions, or just about any time the Salle doors are open.  So if you have not signed up, do so, and use the bouts you fight to gain fame and glory, or at least a better place in one of our regular salle competitions.  The Anniversary Tournament has a $1.00 entry fee to meet the cost of medals, and the Ladder is free.    

THRUST AND CUT

The E-Newsletter of Salle Green

No. 2005-17

26 November 2005

1.  DECEMBER BEGINNERS' CLASS:  Our December Beginners' Class starts on Monday, 5 December, at 7:00 pm in the Salle at 11058 Washington Highway in Glen Allen.  For new students detailed directions are available on the website at http://www.sallegreen.com/directions.html.  We will have three Beginners' Classes ongoing in December as we finish October's and November's.

2.  IN CASE YOU DID NOT SEE IT:  Each year the editorial and photographic staff of the Richmond Times Dispatch selects the best photographs of the year.  Our own Taylor Watson, seen through her fencing mask, made the front page of the E Section on 25 November as one of those best photographs.

3.  ANNIVERSARY TOURNAMENT:  December marks the first year of our operation in our permanent facility.  To celebrate we are hosting an anniversary tournament (you can sign up through our competition registration link at http://www.sallegreen.com/competitions.html or in person) in foil, sabre, epee, and one touch epee.  This will run from 1 through 31 December and is open to all Salle members.  Registration fee is our standard $1.00.  The tournament will be run as a pool unique in each weapon - in other words everyone fences everyone else.  Large score sheets will be posted in the salle, and you may arrange a bout with any other fencer in the pool that you have not fenced already at any time during the month.  Placing will be based on the number of bouts you fight, your percentage of victories, and touches scored versus touches received.

4.  ESCRIME ARTISTIQUE INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP:  On 11 December from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm we will be conducting an introductory workshop in Escrime Artistique.  Escrime artistique is competitive historical fencing with an emphasis on displaying mastery of medieval, renaissance, and 17th and 18th century weapons and swordplay along with the ability to represent the period in costume and manners in timed scenarios, typically 2 to 3 minutes in length.  The workshop will cover the rules of Escrime Artistique, safety, differences between historical and modern fencing, and an introduction to the technique of Medieval long sword and great sword and Renaissance rapier.  Cost is $20 for Salle members and $40 for others.  Our goal - a competitive Escrime Artistique team.

5.  WEEKEND OPEN FENCING:  We will be open for Open Fencing on Saturdays and Sundays through December - Saturdays at 1200 and Sundays at 1100.

6.  COMPETITIVE RESULTS:  At the Richmond Ratings Rally on 19 and 20 November we fielded the largest team of competitive fencers in the Salle's history in a single event.  We are very proud of our competitors:

Foil E and Under, a D1 event with 59 fencers, 8 of whom were classified E - Courtney Prothero in her third tournament placed 36th.

Foil C and Under, a C2 event with 27 fencers, 16 of whom were classified C, D, or E - Courtney Prothero placed 26th.

Sabre, a D1 event with 17 fencers, 8 of whom were classified D or E - Ke Ma placed 7th, losing in a hard fought bout in the direct elimination to the eventual winner.

Epee, a C2 event with 36 fencers, 17 of whom were classified C, D, or E - Raymond Watson placed 23rd. Joseph Iaquinto, our E rated Epeeist, placed 24th. Jonathan Iaquinto in his third tournament placed 30th.  Terri Noll, fencing in her third meet in her total of three months of fencing, placed 35th.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-16

22 October 2005

1.  SALLE SCHEDULE:  The Salle schedule fluctuates from time to time based on a number of factors.  So everyone is on the same page, here is the current schedule:

MONDAY 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Classical Fencing Course
WEDNESDAY 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Intermediate Group Lesson
THURSDAY 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Beginner's Class
SATURDAY 12:00 noon to approximately 1:00 pm - Salle Members Open Fencing - all members are welcome to come and fence.  The format is to fence as many bouts as possible.  
SUNDAY 11:00 am to approximately noon - Salle Members Open Fencing - all members are welcome to come and fence.  The format is to fence as many bouts as possible.

Now here is what causes variations:

BEGINNER'S CLASSES - each beginner class is an 8 week class, meeting on the same day of the week.  However, I rotate nights of the week for each new class is scheduled between Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

SALLE MEMBERS OPEN FENCING - on weekends when the competition team is on the road for tournaments we do not meet.  I hope to change this as we qualify assistant instructors this year, but today the policy is team on the road = no fencing at home.

2.  LESSON CARDS: One of my most difficult tasks has been managing the billing and invoice process.  When you do not come to a class or practice, monthly billing penalizes you - at the same time each month I have to make multiple searches to issue invoices on the correct date, generating more work for me.  So, here is what we are doing.  As members pay fees in October and November we are converting to a card system.  You will have a card that indicates the number of lessons you have paid for.  At each lesson we will punch a hole in the card.  When the number of holes equals what you have paid for, it is time to pay again.

3.  LADDER: The August through October ladder tournament has only two more weeks to run - we have ladders in foil, sabre, epee, and modern pentathlon epee.  Challenge one up, challenge two up, challenge someone.  Make your bouts count toward the annual Salle Three Weapon Championships.

4.  THE AAI INTERNATIONAL COURSE WAS VERY GOOD: I met some interesting people (including a schlaeger master candidate, complete with scars), learned a lot about the politics of fencing, put in hours on the strip, and passed my Maitre examination in all three weapons (only the thesis to finish, and I am on page 47).  The course taught an instructional system, focused on all instruction being very realistic, and used a 5 minute lesson format - and I brought away some very useful ideas that will help the salle.  Three of us passed examinations; my colleagues Leonardo Portes of Brazil is a new Prevot and Patricia Howse of the Royal Military College of Canada is a new Maitre d'Armes.  My examining panel included the President of the Academie d'Armes Internationale, a Vice President of the AAI and President of Akademie der Fechtkunst Deutschlands (the German fencing masters association), and the Training Leader of ADFD.  As I look back on it, my panel at all three levels has included Presidents of national academies of arms (with Wendell Kubik for Moniteur and Arnold Mercado for Prevot), an interesting record.

5.  AND SO WAS THE PAN AMERICAN FENCING ACADEMY: The weekend after I returned from Germany I attended a seminar by the Pan American Fencing Academy in San Antonio, Texas.  The focus of this seminar was the new requirements for Moniteur - we worked through the actual format of the examination and practiced the group lesson extensively.  I think I can say that we now have the understanding to prepare our members who are interested in a professional coaching career effectively for their first examination.  

6.  ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO COACH?  As the salle grows we need more instructors to help manage our classes.  We will be offering instruction in coaching in a series of half day weekend seminars starting this winter.  If you are interested please contact me.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-15

31 August 2005

1.  FIRST USFA MEET:  Our fencers got their first taste of action for the 2005-2006 season at the US Fencing Association's Virginia Division Ratings Rally in Charlottesville on 28 August.  The epee event was C2 class with 25 fencers, including 6 D and 2 E classified fencers.  Kinneret Colon in her first epee meet scored touches on everyone in her pool, except the eventual first place winner - a very respectable performance as the shortest, youngest, and least experienced epeeist entered.  Joseph Iaquinto won 3 and lost 2 in his pool, advancing to the direct elimination as the 9th seed, and then finished 7th, earning his E classification in his first USFA tournament.  Melvin Columbanus did a first rate job of strip coaching for Joseph - and we need more strip coaches, so don't hesitate to volunteer.

2.  SEPTEMBER BEGINNER'S CLASS:  Because of scheduling conflicts, our September class will be run as a 6 session, one month class, with 90 minute classes on 12 (Monday), 19 (Monday), 22 (Thursday), 26 (Monday), and 29 (Thursday) September.  September is a great month to start fencing, so don't hesitate to come on the 12th at 7:00 pm. 

3.  IF YOU ARE INJURED:  The reality of life is that sometimes we get hurt - rarely in fencing, but we drop stuff on ourselves, twist our ankles, slam fingers in doors, etc.  And sometimes it takes time to heal, sometimes a lot of time away from sport.  It does not have to be.  Unless your physician says "no physical activity of any type," we can work with you to keep you fencing and let you heal at the same time.  I give seated lessons to fencers with leg injuries; we can work with your other hand or on footwork for arm injuries; gentle blade action to refine technique can be designed to accommodate almost any injury.  In other words you can continue to progress.  So don't think injured means no fencing - find out from your physician what you can do, and I will work with you to make it happen.

4.  LABOR DAY FENCING:  Scheduled classes will meet as normal on Monday, 5 September, Labor Day.  If you want to schedule lessons, please contact me.

5.  SATURDAY/SUNDAY FENCING:  The Salle will be open as usual for team fencing on Saturday (1200) and Sunday (1100).  The majority of our fencers are now meeting Sunday, but either day is available for all three weapons.  If you plan to come either day, please check with me so I can let you know who will be at the Salle.

6.  LADDER:  A new page for the current Salle ladder will be posted this week.  As everyone knows our focus is fencing bouts - the 5 touch format forces you to think about fencing as a contest between two fencers.  The ladder is a 5 touch experience that counts - you can fence a competition bout any time you want one.  If you are better than the fencers above you, challenge them and move up.  If you are weaker challenge those stronger than you to improve your fighting ability.

7.  WELCOME:  To two new Salle members - Terri Noll is a beginning epee fencer and Courtney Prothero comes to as an intermediate foil fencer from the West Coast.  We are glad you are part of the Salle.

8.  THREE WEAPON POINT CHAMPIONSHIP:  The current standings in the Salle's annual point competition are now posted on our Salle Competitive results page (http://www.sallegreen.com/champions.html. 

9.  THIS NEWSLETTER'S TRAINING TIP:  Many fencers wonder what they can do to improve their footwork.  One of the obvious answers is to do more of it.  First, understand exactly how an advance and a retreat are supposed to be executed.  Then do the following drill: (1) advance, (2) check your foot placement by looking - in line, right spacing, toes pointing in the right direction, (3) adjust to correct, (4) retreat, (5) check your foot placement by looking - in line, right spacing, toes pointing in the right direction, (6) adjust to correct, (7) advance, etc.   Do at least 10 advances and retreats in the morning and 10 at night every day for a week, more if you can.  Then see if your footwork in the Salle is improving.   

10.  WHEELCHAIR FENCING:  Our efforts to develop a link to the wheelchair sports community continue and seem to be bearing fruit.  On 20 September we do a presentation for the Virginia Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association - I already have a volunteer wheelchair athlete to take a demonstration lesson.   

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-14

13 August 2005
 

1.  SALLE MEETING: A reminder - our first Salle meeting for the 2005-2006 season will be this coming Sunday, 14 August, at noon in the Salle.  There are a number of important items of business - not the least of which is a report on what we have accomplished this past year and setting our strategy for next year.  If you are available, please come.

2.  A REMINDER - SALLE CLOSED:  The Salle will be closed from the 15th through the 21st of this month.   I am attending the Oregon Fencing Alliance advanced sabre coaching workshop in Portland, Oregon - at the same time we will have paint drying from a new coat of sealant on the fencing floor.  Our normal schedule will resume on 22 August.

3.  CONGRATULATIONS: To graduates of our June 2005 Beginner's Course.  In their class tournament the final ranks were:

First - Adrianna Foster

Second - Andrew Stevenson

Third - Courtney Ryan.

4.  SKILLS RECOGNITION:  The following fencers have completed requirements for one of our skills recognition programs:

Classical Rank 2:

Linda C. Barrett

Sara Vial

Michael Workman

Level 1 (Red) Sabre:

Ke Ma

5.  ANNUAL REPORT AND STRATEGY:  A copy of the summary version of the Salle's Annual Report for 2004-2005 and our Strategy for 2006 is in each member's in box.

6.  RATINGS RALLY:  If you are planning to fence in the 27-28 August Ratings Rally in Charlottesville, please immediately contact me so that we can schedule tune-up lessons week after next, plan transportation, and plan a weapons maintenance session.  Full electric equipment, full uniform (in good condition) along with protective equipment, and USFA membership is required.  The next meet is the Kickoff Open, three weeks later.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-13

9 August 2005
 

1.  SALLE MEETING: I've been asked by Paul Stairs, one of our classical foil fencers, to request that ALL Salle Green students set aside a few minutes to meet at the Salle this Sunday, August 14 at noon for a meeting to discuss items of interest to ALL members and for a special presentation.  This will be a brief meeting but one which I don't think you would want to miss.  Any member with a suggestion, question, proposal, etc. will be given the floor so think about issues you might want to bring up.  YOU NEED NOT COME PREPARED TO FENCE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING.
 

2.  4 FENCERS 33 BOUTS:  At the Sunday team practice the four fencers present decided to apply the training tip from Newsletter 2005-11.  In 75 minutes they fought 33 bouts in sabre and epee.  The fencing was fast and the turnaround between bouts minimal, with the only delay being the wait for the bout on the other strip to end to allow partner changes.  Everyone fought the equivalent of a complete pool and the first two rounds of direct elimination in the 75 minutes, something that typically takes three hours in a meet.  And everyone agreed that the result was a superior conditioning workout.

3.  SALLE CLOSED:  The Salle will close from the 15th through the 21st of August.  I am attending the Oregon Fencing Alliance advanced sabre coaching workshop in Portland, Oregon - at the same time we will have paint drying from a new coat of sealant on the fencing floor.

4.  LADDERS:  The draw for the August-October Salle ladders was completed on 7 August, and the first bouts have already been fenced.  The current ladder standings are:

Epee:

1 - Ethan Cover

2 - Ke Ma

3 - Raymond Watson

4 - Melvin Columbanus

5 - Joseph Iaquinto

6 - Kinneret Colon

One Touch Epee:

1 - Melvin Columbanus

2 - Joseph Iaquinto

3 - Ethan Cover

4 - Ke Ma

5 - Raymond Watson

6 - Kinneret Colon

Foil:

1 - Jospeh Iaquinto

2 - Ke Ma

Sabre:

1 - Joseph Iaquinto

2 - Minta Smith

3 - Ke Ma

4 - Raymond Watson

5 - Tom Watson

Fencing is an unusual sport - we get better when we do it.  We don't get better when we don't do it. If we never try to beat the fencer who is better than we are we will never be better than that fencer.   So use the ladder to help organize your fencing.  Make a point of challenging the person above you (or the person two above you) whenever you get a chance - it gives focus to your fencing by making each bout count for something.  And foil fencers, sign up for the ladder.  Probably half our Salle membership are primarily foil fencers - so start fencing!

5.  RATINGS RALLY:  The first fencing meet of the competitive season is a Ratings Rally on August 27th (Foil and Sabre) and 28th (Epee) at Buford Middle School in Charlottesville.  If you are planning to compete, please immediately contact me so we can arrange final tune up lessons in the week prior to the meet and so we can make sure all of your equipment is in order.  If you have not joined the United States Fencing Association yet, you can do so at the meet (and that is the simplest way - if you send your money to Colorado Springs be sure to enclose a fax sheet so they can verify that you have paid).   

6.  CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES:  Every Salle member has a mailbox.  Check it regularly.  Among other things that go in it are receipts for lessons and your monthly invoice - parents, please either check the box yourself or make certain your fencer checks it.

7.  WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AT THE SALLE?  Today if you want fencing equipment you have to order it from a vendor.  Would you like the Salle to stock common items so that you could see, handle, and then buy?  None of the suppliers offer a significant discount for resale, and some offer none - you would not make a large price saving, and the Salle would not make a fortune, but there would be a convenience factor, especially for new fencers.  Let me know your thoughts.

8.  THIS NEWSLETTER'S TIP FOR BETTER FENCING:  Think point (in sabre, think cutting edge).  Always know where your point is going - see the target and concentrate on the point getting there.  If you focus on extending your arm, you have moved the blade forward, maybe toward the target, maybe not - if you move the point (or cutting edge) toward the target you have a hit in the making.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
Special No. 2005-12
31 July 2005 corrected edition

1.  2005 SALLE 3 WEAPON CHAMPIONSHIPS:  The following are the final standings in the 2005 Salle Green Three Weapon Championships.  The Championships are based on points earned in all Salle and United States Fencing Association competitions - with one point being awarded for each place added up from last in the meet.  Point competition is open to all Salle members, regardless of whether they fence in USFA meets.  First Place and Salle Three Weapon Champion for 2005 goes to Melvin Columbanus.

1st - Melvin Columbanus - 38 points

2nd - Joseph Iaquinto - 35 points

3rd - Cara Carne - 28 points

4th - Jonathan Iaquinto - 23 points

5th - Kinneret Colon - 11 points

6th - Raymond Watson - 7 points

7th - Ethan Cover - 6 points

8th - Ke Ma - 5 points

9th - Tom Watson - 4 points

10th - Austin Ivey - 2 points

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-11
30 July 2005

1.  AUGUST BEGINNERS CLASS:  Our August Beginner's Course will start at 7:00 pm at the Salle on Washington Highway on Tuesday, August 2nd.  August is a great month to start to learn fencing - still warm enough that you will really appreciate an air conditioned salle, and early enough that you can get in the full swing of the Salle's point awards this year.

2.  FOIL ON SUNDAYS:  If you want to fence foil against other foil fencers, we have open foil fencing following the epee team open fencing on Sundays, starting at about 1200 (the Epee Team works starting at 1100). This is an excellent chance to get to know other Salle members and to work on putting your lessons to the test of facing another fencer.

3.  THIS NEWSLETTER'S TIP FOR BETTER FENCING:  Never free fence (fencing without keeping score and without a regular bout structure).  If you want to develop a specific action, do conventional exercises with another fencer, such as exchange drills.  If you intend to use your full range of skills, fight a bout for either 5 hits or 15 hits - then remember and record the score.  For our competitive team, we track these scores on a daily and monthly basis toward your specific goals for numbers of bouts fenced and your overall indicators.  But even if you are not oriented toward competitive fencing, you are required to fence a certain number of bouts for Ranks 4 and higher in our Classical program.  The bottom line is that if you are not keeping score, you have no way of understanding whether you are (1) winning or (2) improving.  Bouts simulate bouts - nothing else does it as well - so don't waste your time and the other fencer's time by not being serious about what you are doing.  (Full credit to Dr. Paul Stairs for the idea of including a tip in each newsletter, something we will be doing from now on.)

4.  NEW LADDER DRAW:  The quarterly ladder draw for August through October will be done this coming week.  If you want to fence on the ladder (and every Salle member is most welcome, regardless of skill or experience), please send wgreen@sallegreen.com an e-mail indicating foil, sabre, or epee, two or all three.  The key rules are that:

(1)  the initial ladder seed is completely random.

(2)  you may challenge up to two fencers above you on the ladder - challenges for other than on a fencing day are posted on the Salle bulletin board - so check it (the equivalent to posting of the pools or the direct elimination ladder at a tournament).

(3)  challenge bouts can be fenced any time on arrangement - but must be done within 2 weeks - failure to meet a challenge is the same as a defeat.

(4)  your standing at the end of the three months ladder gives you points in the Salle Three Weapons Championship.

(5)  remember, no matter how good they are, anyone can be beaten on a given day, so challenge regularly and often.

(6)  bouts can be fought dry or electric.

5.  SCHEDULE:  The Salle schedule should be back to normal in terms of my availability for lessons.  The Summer Scholars program I was responsible for running for Disaster Science at the University of Richmond ended today.  So please confirm lesson times with me.

6.  ADVANCED SABRE COACHING SEMINAR:  The Salle will be closed 16-22 August, as I will be attending the Oregon Fencing Alliance's advanced sabre coaching seminar in Portland, Oregon.  This seminar is being presented by Ed Korfanty, the coach of our successful 2004 Olympics Women's Sabre squad, and is in conjunction with an elite sabre training camp hosted by OFA.

7.  WHEELCHAIR FENCING:  On 7 July I attended a meeting of PosAbilities Unlimited, an alliance of programs for people with disabilities in central Virginia.  I was well received, and there may be some potential for the development of wheelchair fencing in our area. 

8.  SALLE MEETING:  Dr. Stairs suggested the excellent idea of holding a Salle Meeting, and, even better, he volunteered to take the lead on the first such meeting.  We will be circulating further details shortly - please watch for them and plan to participate.

9.  GARCONS DU SALLE:  In the traditional model of apprenticeship in salles, several of our members have expressed an interest in learning how to teach fencing in their weapons of primary interest.  The traditional title for such apprentices was, up through the 1930s, "Garcons du Salle."  Already Melvin Columbanus has started leading footwork instruction and helping with epee teaching on Wednesdays.  Expect to see others become involved as part of the process of preparing for qualification as Moniteurs of the United States Fencing Coaches Association and the Academie d'Armes Internationale. 

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-10
4 July 2005

1.  JULY BEGINNERS CLASS:  Our July Beginner's Course will start at 7:00 pm at the Salle on Washington Highway on Thursday, 14 July.  July is an excellent month to start to learn fencing - early enough that if you want to continue on as a competitive fencer for you to develop skills needed to enter amateur competition this year.

2.  REPORT FROM THE SUMMER NATIONALS:  Salle Green had one fencer at this year's United States Fencing Association Summer Nationals in Sacramento, California.  Cara Carne entered in both Women's Youth 14 Epee and Women's Under 16 Epee, ending up in pools of very strong competitors.  On Friday, 1 July, she placed 77th in Youth 14 - her pool included the number 2 ranked Youth 14 Women's Epeeist in the country, along with the 31st and 47th ranked fencers.  On Saturday, 2 July, she placed 58th in Under 16 - her pool included a B rated, 2 C rated, and 1 D rated fencers, and the 14th and 15th ranked Cadet Women's Epeeist and the 28th ranked Youth 14 Women's Epee fencer in the country.  She drew the eventual Silver Medalist in her direct elimination bout in the round of 64.  Cara's goals were simple for this event: (1) go and experience the process of a Nationals (she is now our expert on the what, where, and how of the event), (2) score at least one hit against every opponent and win at least one bout (accomplished), and (3) find the baseline of her own performance and of the field to move forward to significant improvement in her fencing skills for next year.

Summer Nationals are always chaos and always fun - now extending over 10 days, there are dozens of events to watch and learn from.  We watched the wheelchair events carefully because the salle is exploring how to offer wheelchair instruction - the standard was very high with rapid blade movement, forceful torso lunges that picked the chairs and the restraining frame off the ground, and very accurate point placement.  The standard in Women's youth epee approaches the best epee we see fenced in our Division, and the standard in Men's Division 1 Epee is very fast, powerful, and based on long attacks.  I watched sabre refereeing with interest, and saw that correctly formed attacks earn the right of way, as they always have.  In all weapons, you have to have confidence in what you are doing and put that confidence into your execution.

It was good to see old friends and to have conversations with my fellow professional coaches.  Dave Micahnik had great insights on the relationship of modern pentathlon epee to epee fencing, and on the importance of the extended arm.   Tony Gillham and I discussed at some length actions based on distance, the balestra, and the importance of the back leg in the lunge.  Wendall Kubik had useful perspectives on fencing master training in Germany, and Richard Strass and I debated over fencer performance (his daughter and Cara Carne faced each other in the Youth 14 Direct Elimination).

All of the major equipment vendors were there, and there are some interesting developments in equipment.  Leon Paul's new epee blades, both regular and maraging, are superb, and their Pozdnyakov sabre is the best balanced sabre I have ever handled.  The Golubitsky foil grip with its adjustable lower prong is very nice.  We also spent time talking with Branimir Zivkovic, and he graciously mounted his ZII paddle handles for Cara's epees.  The proliferation of new point designs continues - armorers now have to maintain a wide range of parts and be familiar with more designs. 

Bottom line - plan to qualify next year, and start planning to go.  You will be very glad you did.  

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-9
29 June 2005

1.  JULY BEGINNERS CLASS:  Our July Beginner's Course will start at 7:00 pm at the Salle on Washington Highway on Thursday, 14 July.  July is an excellent month to start to learn fencing - early enough that if you want to continue on as a competitive fencer for you to develop skills needed to enter amateur competition this year.

2.  EPEEIST CARNE AT THE SUMMER NATIONALS:  Cara Carne is competing at this year's summer nationals in Youth 14 Women's Epee and Under 16 Women's Epee on 1 and 2 July.  Everyone think positive thoughts - she is our first fencer to compete at this level since the 1970s.

3.  SALLE SCHEDULE:  The Salle will be closed on 30 June through 3 July for the Summer Nationals.  If you are in town, are scheduled to fence, and want to fence on the 4th of July, we will be open.  Remember, one of the organizers of the Boston Tea Party was a fencing master!  What could be more patriotic than crossing swords to remember his service to his country. 

However, from 11 July through the end of the month our schedule will be disrupted by commitments to a three week long summer scholars program at the University of Richmond during weekdays.  I will work with you to reschedule, work on weekends, or whatever other strategies may be appropriate to keep your development on track.

We expect to keep the Sabre Team practice on Saturdays at noon, and the Epee Team practice on Sundays at 1000 on track - with the exception of the weekend of 16-17 July when we will be closed for the Commonwealth Games.

4.  SALLE EPEE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  Our Epee Championships were hard fought, with strong competition in all three events.  Joseph Iaquinto won the Epee Championships and the Classical Epee Championships (fenced dry for 1 touch, with double hits as double defeats, on a 20 foot by 3 foot strip with no time limit).  Jonathan Iaquinto won the Modern Pentathlon Epee (fenced electric for one touch with a 1 minute time limit and double hits not counted).

5.  CLASSICAL CDS:  If we solve all of the technical issues, we hope to have available by the end of July CDs with all 6 basic classical exercises for ranks 1 through 4.  These will help classical fencers master the exercises and improve their form and execution of the basic footwork and blade work actions up through the Grand Salute.

6.  FEDERFECHTER CUP:  The Federfechter Cup is a tournament named in honor of the Federfechter, one of the professional fencing guilds of Germany in the 1500s.  The Cup was last competed for in 1971 in Duluth, Minnesota, by members of the Dry Fencing Association, probably the first classical fencing club in the United States.  The Salle will resurrect the competition this August as a Classical Foil meet and a One Touch Classical Epee meet.  Watch for details - all Salle classical fencers are encouraged to start planning to fence in this event.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-8
20 June 2005

1.  SALLE EPEE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  A reminder - the Salle Epee championships will be held on this coming Sunday, starting at 1:30 pm.  Entry fee for all three events is $1.00.  We will fence electric epee for 5 touches, followed by one touch dry epee on the classical strip, followed by 1 touch modern pentathlon epee.  Come and fence, come and watch, come and help judge dry epee.

2.  DEVELOPMENT SQUAD FOR 2005-2006:  This past year we had a reasonable amount of competitive success as a new salle - unfortunately this year's lead female epee fencer will not be with us next year, meaning that we have work to do in developing both new salle leadership and a stronger depth of competitive fencers.  From this year's experience, we know what it takes a new fencer to move to competitive success in one year:

... three lessons a week
... full electric equipment (one set of everything - the Salle provides backup weapons and body cords)
... participation in every available competition - an average of two meets a month starting in mid-September

If you want to compete next year in state amateur competition, want to go from zero to 60 quickly, and are willing to work, I will work with you on lesson scheduling and pricing, especially while you acquire the necessary equipment.  Let me know - no matter what your experience level (even if you have only thought about being a fencer) we can get you there.

Our goal is to field at least five competitive fencers in the fall and grow by the end of the year to being able to enter at least two complete men's or women's teams in the team championships.  This year we qualified two for the national championships - next year I would like to qualify at least four.   So there is work to do.  The payoff is the rush that comes with being the best that you can be at something.

3.  SALLE EMBLEM:  Below is a black and white copy of the coat of arms granted to the Salle by the American College of Heraldry, a voluntary body that registers heraldic grants of arms in the United States.  The central shield is green with silver crossed swords, and with an alternating white and black border.  This shield will appear on the Salle patch, now in the process of being manufactured.
 

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-7
13 June 2005

1.  JUNE BEGINNERS CLASS:  Our June Beginner's class starts tonight, Monday, 13 June, at 7:00 pm in the Salle at 11058 Washington Highway.  Directions are available on the Salle website.  Come dressed in athletic clothes
that are comfortable to move in and with flat soled athletic shoes.

2.  WALTER GREEN PROMOTED TO PREVOT D'ARMES:  At this year's United States Fencing Coaches Association Conference, Walter Green passed the written and practical examinations for promotion to Prevot.  This certification is nationally recognized in the fencing community and is internationally recognized by the Academie d'Armes Internationale, the federation of national professional coaching organizations from 18 countries.  In the United States fencing professionals progress through three levels: Moniteur (entry level coaches certified to teach group lessons in one, two or all three weapons), Prevot (full professionals capable of preparing students for national level competition), and Fencing Master (or Maitre d'Armes - capable of managing all aspects of preparing championship athletes).  These qualifications are not easy to earn - a number of Moniteur candidates were unsuccessful at the conference and 2 of the 4 Prevot candidates also did not pass all required elements.  Currently, there are 96 recognized Moniteurs, 26 Prevots, and 52 Fencing Masters in the United States.  Thanks and full credit are due to Sue Mahon, who served as the three weapon student for the examination and to every salle member who helped refine my teaching technique and made me work hard this year to achieve this step.

3.  COMPETITIONS:  We have four major meets left this year in which we have fencers participating:

a.  June 18-19 Virginia Division Ratings Rally - Foil and Sabre on Saturday, Foil and Epee on Sunday at Buford Middle School in Charlottesville.  A link is available off the Virginia Division website to preregister using Fred, a tournament website.

b.  June 26 Salle Green Epee Championships - we will be fencing 5 touch electric epee, 1 touch dry classical epee, and 1 touch electric modern pentathlon epee.

c.  July 1-10 US Summer Nationals - we have Sue Mahon in Division III Women's Epee and Cara Carne in Youth 14 and Under 16 Women's Epee in Sacramento, California.

d.  July 16-17 Virginia Commonwealth Games in Roanoke - all three weapons in a variety of formats over two days.  You can preregister online at the Commonwealth Games website.

4.  LADDER TOURNAMENT:  Yes, we do have a ladder, and here are the rankings:

FOIL:
1 - Workman
2 - Joseph Iaquinto
3 - Mahon
4 - Jonathan Iaquinto
5 - White (on leave through August)

SABRE:
1 - Joseph Iaquinto
2 - Mahon
3 - Jonathan Iaquinto
4 - Ma
5 - Thomas Watson
6 - Raymond Watson

EPEE:
1 - Carne
2 - Joseph Iaquinto
3 - Jonathan Iaquinto
4 - Mahon
5 - Columbanus

All initial rankings were determined by draw.  Fencers may challenge up one or two positions, and change place with the other fencer if they win.  The ladder runs quarterly, with this ladder ending 31 August.  If you are not listed, but want to be, please contact Walter Green.

5.  STANDINGS:  This past year was our first year back in competition in Virginia since 1976.  In the Virginia Division point standings our small cadre of competitive fencers has done quite well:

Women's 3 Weapon - Sue Mahon ranked 14th
Men's Epee - Melvin Columbanus ranked 100th
Women's Epee - Sue Mahon ranked 6th, Cara Carne ranked 15th
Men's Sabre - Mark Ma (a new salle member) ranked 35th
Women's Sabre - Sue Mahon ranked 2nd
Unrated Women's 3 Weapon - Sue Mahon ranked 3rd

6.  REMINDER:  Sabre practice for the competitive team is on Saturdays at 1200 and Epee on Sundays at 1000 when we do not have a tournament.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-6
2 June 2005

1.  CHANGE IN SCHEDULE FOR JUNE BEGINNER'S CLASS:  Due to a business trip, the scheduled June Beginner's Course will start on the 13th of June at 7:00 pm.

2.  SALLE CLOSED 3-9 JUNE: All classes scheduled in the 3-9 June time period will be held the following week at their normal scheduled time.

3.  TEAM PRACTICES:  Starting on Saturday 11 June, we will resume team practices. 

The Salle is open for competitive sabre fencers at 12:00 noon on Saturdays, and for epee fencers at 10:00 on Sundays.

4.  SECOND CHANGE TO DATES FOR SALLE EPEE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  To avoid at least three more conflicts, we will slip electric epee, classical dry one touch epee, and modern pentathlon electric epee to the 26th of June, starting at 1:30 pm.  Because we are fitting three events in one day, we need to know if you are going to fence so that we can be ready in advance – preregister by contacting Walter Green.  Entry fee is $1.00 to help cover the cost of an appropriate permanent plaque to record the names of winners of the five Salle championship events this year.  Medals will be awarded to 1st through 4th place.  Come to fence.  If you are hesitant about fencing, come to officiate - we need judges and scorekeepers (and we can train you to do these jobs very quickly).  Or just come to watch, and cheer.

5.  SALLE 2005 SABRE CHAMPION:  Sabre was a real fight with no favor asked or given - in a pool of 7 (one fencer fenced hor concurs with the results not counting toward the Championships), Sue Mahon claimed the 2005 Salle Green Foil Championship with 5 victories.  Second Place – Joseph Iaquinto, 3rd Place – Ray Watson, 4th Place – Jonathan Iaquinto.  Congratulations to all who fenced for a tough, competitive event. 

6.  SALLE 3 WEAPONS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:  As of the completion of the Salle Foil Championships, the following was the standings for the Salle 3 Weapons Championship for 2005. 

Sue Mahon - 89 points

Melvin Columbanus - 23 points

Joseph Iaquinto – 11 points

Cara Carne - 10 points

Jonathan Iaquinto - 7 points

Raymond Watson – 5 points

Thomas Watson – 3 points

Austin Ivey – 2 points

There are still a number of events, including one round of the Ladder tournament, the Epee Championships, a USFA Ratings Rally, and the Commonwealth Games, to count in this progression.

7. CLASSICAL RANK PROMOTIONS:  Congratulations to the following Salle members for having completed the requirements for Rank 1 in Classical Foil:

Paul Stairs

8. LADDER POSTED: The ladders for foil, sabre, and epee are posted in the Salle.  If you are not on the ladder you are missing a chance to fence in a regular competition format earning points toward our Three Weapon Championships.   Key rules:

a.  You can challenge 1 or 2 places above you.  If you win, you replace the person you challenged.  Fencers have two weeks in which to fight a challenge bout.

b.  Bouts can be fenced after any class or on our regular class practice days or any time that you can arrange with the other fencer and for the use of the Salle.

c.  All bouts are 5 touch – electric or dry is at the discretion of the two fencers.

d.  Referees and judges will be used when available.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-5
21 May 2005

1.  CHANGE IN SCHEDULE FOR JUNE BEGINNER'S CLASS:  Due to an unexpected business trip, the scheduled June Beginner's Course will start on the 13th of June at 7:00 pm.

2.  A REMINDER - SALLE SABRE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SUNDAY, 22 MAY:  All Salle sabre fencers are invited to participate in our annual Salle Sabre Championships at the Salle on Sunday afternoon, 15 May, starting at 1:30 pm.  This is a dry (or steam) event.  Depending on the number of participants we will run pools, promoting from those pools to subsequent rounds.  Entry fee is $1.00 to help cover the cost of an appropriate permanent plaque to record the names of winners of the five Salle championship events this year.  Medals will be awarded to 1st through 4th place.  Come to fence.  If you are hesitant about fencing, come to officiate - we need judges and scorekeepers (and we can train you to do these jobs very quickly).  Or just come to watch, and cheer.

3.  SALLE 2005 FOIL CHAMPION:  In a hard fought pool of 5 (one fencer fenced hor concurs with the results not counting toward the Championships), Joseph Iaquinto claimed the 2005 Salle Green Foil Championship with 3 victories.  Second Place - Sue Mahon, 3rd Place - Jonathan Iaquinto, 4th Place - Melvin Columbanus.  Congratulations not only for tightly contested bouts (one touch would have made the difference more than once), but also for clean and precise fencing that was fun to watch and direct. 

4.  SALLE 3 WEAPONS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:  As of the completion of the Salle Foil Championships, the following was the standings for the Salle 3 Weapons Championship for 2005. 

Sue Mahon - 82 points

Melvin Columbanus - 23 points

Cara Carne - 10 points

Joseph Iaquinto - 5 points

Jonathan Iaquinto - 3 points

There are still a number of events, including one round of the Ladder tournament, the Sabre and Epee Championships, a USFA Ratings Rally, and the Commonwealth Games, to count in this progression.

5. CHANGE TO DATES FOR SALLE EPEE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  To avoid conflict with Memorial Day Weekend, we will slip electric epee, classical dry one touch epee, and modern pentathlon epee to the 12th of June.  Because we are fitting three events in one day, please let us know (1) if you are planning to fence and (2) if you can fence on Sunday morning, so that we can adjust the schedule.

6. CLASSICAL RANK PROMOTIONS:  Congratulations to the following Salle members for having completed the requirements for Rank 1 in Classical Foil:

Linda C. Barrett

Jonathan Iaquinto

Joseph Iaquinto

Sara Vial

Robb White

Michael Workman

7. LADDER FINAL DRAW: We will do the draw for the Ladder Tournament in all three weapons at the Salle Sabre Championships. If you want to fence in the ladder for June-August, please make sure you either send an e-mail or let us know in person.    

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-4
12 May 2005

1.  A REMINDER - SALLE FOIL CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS COMING WEEKEND:  All Salle members are invited to participate in our annual Salle Foil Championships at the Salle on Sunday afternoon, 15 May, starting at 1:30 pm.  Depending on the number of participants we will run pools, promoting from those pools to subsequent rounds.  Entry fee is $1.00 to help cover the cost of an appropriate permanent plaque to record the names of winners of the five Salle championship events this year.  Medals will be awarded to 1st through 4th place.  Come to fence.  If you are hesitant about fencing, come to officiate - we will need judges and scorekeepers (and we can train you to do these jobs very quickly).  And if you just want to come watch, that is fine also.

2.  FOR PLANNING PURPOSES:  The Salle Sabre Championship will be held 22 May, and the Salle Epee (fenced electric), One Touch Epee (fenced dry), and Modern Pentathlon Epee (fenced electric) will be on 29 May.

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-3
28 April 2005

1.  MAY BEGINNER’S CLASS:  Our May Beginner’s Class starts at 7:00 pm on 3 May in our facility on Washington Highway.  This is a great time to start fencing – with a summer in front of you, there is ample time to be ready for the start of the new season in the fall.  Come dressed in loose fitting athletic clothing with flat soled shoes.

2.  INTERMEDIATES:  Congratulations to the following Salle members who have completed the Beginner’s Class and moved on to specialize in a favorite weapon in our Intermediate group on Wednesday nights:

Croix Brushwood
Ethan Cover
Austin Ivey
Wayne Rachel
Minta Smith

3.  NATIONALS:  Salle Green has two fencers who have qualified for the 2005 Summer Nationals in Sacramento, California.  Sue Mahon will compete in Women’s Division III Epee on 6 July, and Cara Carne will fence in Women’s Youth 14 Epee on 1 July and Women’s Under 16 Epee on 2 July.  In addition, Cara Carne has been invited to compete in the US National Modern Pentathlon Championships on 24 June, and Sue Mahon will represent the Salle in Epee at the Southeast Sectional Championships in Columbia, South Carolina, on 30 April.

4.  VIRGINIA DIVISIONAL FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS: The US Fencing Association’s Virginia Division Championships will be held at Buford Middle School in Charlottesville on 6 and 7 May.  Sabre and Foil will be fenced on 7 May and Epee on 8 May.  

5.  PAN AMERICAN FENCING ACADEMY SESSION:  Coaches need training too – Walter Green will be working on his Foil instructional technique in San Antonio, Texas, on 6-8 May at the Pan American Fencing Academy under Maitre Vincent Bradford.

6.  SALLE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  The Salle Championships will be held in five events on Sunday afternoons starting on 15 May:

15 May – Foil
22 May – Sabre
29 May – Epee, One Touch Epee, Modern Pentathlon Epee

Entry fee for each day is $1.00 to help cover the cost of awards.  Any Salle member may enter.

7.  SKILLS PROGRAM PROMOTIONS:  The following members have met the requirements of the Salle’s skill level development system:

Level 1 (Red):
… Cara Carne in Epee
… Sue Mahon in Sabre

Level 2 (Blue):
… Melvin Columbanus in Epee

Level 3 (Bronze):
… Sue Mahon in Epee

8.  SALLE LADDER: All Salle members are invited to join the Salle Ladder competition in any or all of the weapons.  Position on the ladder will be determined by draw, and fencers may challenge one or two positions up on the ladder.  If you win you trade places with the fencer you challenged.  Every quarter we will restart the ladder.  The ladder will formally start on 9 May, so drop wgreen@sallegreen.com a note of you want to be included with your choice of foil, sabre, epp, or any combination.

9.  SCHEDULE:  With meets and coach’s travel the Salle will be closed on the following dates:

29 April – 1 May – no Sunday morning team practice – Southeast Sectionals
6-8 May – no Sunday morning team practice – Division Championships and Pan American Fencing Academy
3-5 June – no Sunday morning team practice – United States Fencing Coaches Association Conference
30 June – 7 July – no class meetings – United States Summer Nationals

10.  SALLE TO HOST CLASSICAL FENCING INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP:  In conjunction with the University of Richmond’s Classical Fencing Instructor Program, the Salle will host a Classical Fencing Demonstrator workshop on the weekend of 13-14 August.  We will need students for the workshop student instructors, and Salle members will be welcome to attend the various presentations.     

11.  THREE WEAPON CHAMPIONSHIPS POINT STANDINGS:  Starting this month the Salle is introducing a three weapon championship to recognize Salle members who actively participate in fencing.  Competition in outside meets, in the Salle Championships, in the ladder, and in other designated events contribute to the point totals.  Standings based on competition participation in the 2005 season to date are:

Sue Mahon - 73
Melvin Columbanus - 21
Cara Carne - 10

12.  A SINCERE THANKS TO: Tom Watson and Melvin Columbanus for their generous donations of drinks for the refrigerator.  Much appreciated!

13.  AND THERE IS A BIG HUNK OF IRON … sitting in the front of the Salle administrative space – our new weight machine.  Capable of supporting 24 different weight training exercises, it is an important addition to conditioning for our athletes.  We will be adding other conditioning equipment in the next two months as we start to enter the preparation macro-cycle for the start of the fencing season next fall.

14.  A REMINDER: When we are open on Sunday’s the Salle team practices, starting at 1000.  If you are interesting in raising the bar on your game in any weapon, be there.

THRUST AND CUT

The E-Newsletter of Salle Green

No. 2005-2

25 March 2005

1.  PLANNING STARTS FOR SALLE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  We are still working dates to fit in with the Division and Nationals Schedule, but our plan is to hold our Salle 2005 Championships during late May and June.  We will fence Foil and Sabre dry, dry one touch Epee under classical rules, and modern electrical Epee.  The tentative plan is to hold each event on a different Sunday afternoon.  Events will be open to current Salle members and anyone who has completed or is enrolled in a Beginner's course at the Salle.  Plan to come to fence - and we will need judges as well. 

2.  SCHEDULING: We have three events left in the Virginia Division's regular competitive season, two of which do not have firm dates, and six events total for the remainder of the year:

• 2-3 April - the William and Mary Open

• unknown date but probably 23-24 April in the vicinity of Winchester - the Division Youth events qualifier for the Summer Nationals

• 30 April-1 May - Sectional Championships in Columbia, South Carolina

• sometime in May - the Division Championships

• 1-10 July - Summer Nationals in Sacramento, California (Youth 14 Women's Epee is 1 July, Under 16 Women's Epee is 2 July, Division III Women's Epee is 6 July)

• 16-17 July - Virginia Commonwealth Games in Roanoke

3.  MAHON QUALIFIES FOR DIVISION III NATIONALS:  For the first time since 1975 a Salle Green fencer has qualified for the United States Fencing Association Summer Nationals.  At the Division Qualifiers Sue Mahon placed fourth in Women's Epee and will be going to the Division III Summer Nationals in Sacramento.  She won 2 of 3 bouts in the preliminary pool and her first direct elimination bout, eventually loosing in the semi-final to Beth Larson (a C rated fencer and the eventual winner) of the Richmond Fencing Club and to Nancy Bowden of the Virginia Academy of Fencing in the fence-off for 3rd Place.  

THRUST AND CUT
The E-Newsletter of Salle Green
No. 2005-1
2 March 2005

1.  MARCH BEGINNER CLASS STARTS MONDAY, 7 MARCH: (Check the date - some of you may have an earlier date in your calendars.)

March is a good month to start fencing - and our 8 week beginner's course is a good way to start.  The March class will meet at 7:00 pm on 8 consecutive Mondays for 1 hour.  We cover the history of the sport, the essential rules, safety, basic techniques of foil fencing, introductions to sabre and epee, and a concluding class tournament.  The cost is $60.00 plus an equipment use fee of $25.00 for the entire course.

2.  WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY:

Our competitive fencers have been on the road for sabre and epee meets across the state.  Results include:

THE RATINGS RALLY (Harrisonburg) on 26-27 February:  Final results have not been posted.  On Saturday Sue Mahon fenced sabre in a 15 fencer field that included 1 D and 2 E classified fencers, winning 3 bouts in the initial pool and losing 10-15 to the eventual 2nd place winner in the direct elimination.  On Sunday Sue Mahon and Melvin Columbanus fenced epee in a 34 fencer field, including 4 C, 7D, and 4 E classified fencers.  In her first competition in epee, Mahon won 1 bout in the initial pool, won her first direct elimination bout 15-7, and then lost to the number 2 seed.  Columbanus won 2 bouts in the initial pool and then fenced a superb bout in the direct elimination - the first 3 minute period end tied at 0-0, and the following periods saw a very careful exchange of hits, with Columbanus eventually losing 5 to 4 (an extraordinarily low score for a 15 touch bout) to the number 12 seed.

THE HANGOVER CLASSIC (Richmond) on 8-9 January:  This was a very strong competition, with 36 sabre fencers in a B2 class event, and 50 epee fencers in an A2 class field.  Sue Mahon placed 27th in sabre, and Melvin Columbanus in his return to competition after a 3 year absence placed 47th in epee.  In all fairness, Columbanus's pool was the unclassified fencer's nightmare - with 1 A, 1 B, 1 C, 1 D, and 1 E rated fencers.

3.  CARNE TO TRAIN AT THE OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER:

Cara Carne, our newest epee competition team member, joined us in January.  Cara is a member of the national modern pentathlon development squad, and trained under Elaine Cheris, a former US Olympic Team member, and fencing coach for the modern pentathlon, based at the Cheyenne Fencing Center in Denver.  Modern Pentathlon includes five sports, with competitors participating in shooting, running, swimming, riding, and fencing events in a single day.  Pentathlon epee is one fought for one touch in one minute.  Cara is returning to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a one week intensive training session starting on 20 March - we are working with Elaine Cheris and with the US Modern Pentathlon National Coach to ensure her training prepares her for national youth pentathlon events.

4.  GRADUATES:

Congratulations to graduates of our Beginner's Courses:

December 2004 Course (December-January):  Matt Hubbard, David Newsome, Jennifer Newsome, Raymond Watson, Thomas Watson

January 2005 Course (January-February):  Linda Barrett, Lindsey Green, Tom Hoke

5.  SALLE GREEN RETURNS TO TEAM COMPETITION:

For the first time since 1975 Salle Green will field a team in Virginia Division USFA competition next Sunday in Fredericksburg at the Division Team Epee Championships.  Good luck to Cara Carne, Melvin Columbanus, and Sue Mahon - we are proud you are carrying the Salle's name.

6.  CLASSICAL GROWTH:

We now are achieving critical mass in our classical fencing program.  With Cheryl Callahan, Jonathan Iaquinto, Joseph Iaquinto, Terry Simmons, Paul Stairs, and Robb White, we have a solid basis for continued development in classical foil.  Plans are afoot for the revival of the Federfechter Cup, an old trophy (last fenced for in 1971) of the Dry Fencing Association, an early effort at the development of classical fencing.