This book is an excellent resource for beginning and
intermediate fencers, with lots of illustrations and thorough glossary of
fencing terms. Although it is true that one cannot learn fencing from a
book, Foil
is a great aid in both learning and teaching fencing. The advanced fencer
will also find that Foil is an excellent reference work. Perhaps
most importantly, foil teachers will find this book a great help --
especially if they are interested in developing a group instruction
program.
Maestro Selberg was the first person in the United States
to develop a successful group fencing program -- as opposed to the
traditional model of individual lessons as the primary teaching mechanism
-- during his tenure at UC Santa Cruz in the 1970s. The system he
developed for group instruction is well described in the book. His model
of instruction is what we have based our teaching upon here at Salem
Classical Fencing.
Selberg is one of the brightest minds alive today in the world of
fencing, with more than 50 years of fencing to his credit (including a
foil team gold medal at the 1970 World Masters Championships -- a
first-ever for American fencing). His understanding of the art and
science of fencing is second to none. He is one of the few people still
alive who studied under the great fencing teachers of the 20th century
-- Erich Funke, Hans Halberstadt, Aldo Nadi, George Piller, and Jack
Nottingham, among others.
When Selberg revised his book in 1993, he saw what was happening in
the world of competitive fencing and correctly described the divergence
of electrical fencing and standard fencing (what many people now
describe as classical fencing) into what are now two entirely separate
games. His writing is targeted primarily at the "standard"
foilist, but there is plenty for the aspiring electrical fencer as well.
"Standard foil fencing is the best possible foundation for every
fencer," writes Selberg.
Table of Contents
- Fencing, Past and Present
- Equipment
- The Foil and Rules of Play
- Footwork
- Defense and Parry Systems
- Methods of Attack
- The Riposte and Counterattacks
- The Psychology of Practice and Tactics
- Judging and Directing Standard Foil
- Modern Electric Foil Fencing
- The Tournament and Tournament Strategy
- Appendix
- Glossary
