The Jack of Swords - Fencing Instruction

Instruction

Jack of Swords teaches fencing as a martial art. Fencing is one of the few western martial arts and will help students develop mental focus and control. Fencing benefits the body by toning the legs and upper body. Nine minutes of fencing is equivalent to running a mile. Fencing is also a good aerobic workout.

Classes are currently being held through the O'Fallon, MO Parks and Environmental Services Department.

To contact the O'Fallon Parks Department call: 636-379-5575. You have to log onto their website to register for classes. www.ofallon.mo.us (Please let me know if there are any problems. I can't link you directly to registration since it the link/site changes every season.) Unfortunately you'll need to go to the whole document download PDF format and scroll through it, fencing is after the athletics section, or you can try just looking in the fitness section download.

To sign up with the St. Charles Parks Department please visit their website at http://www.stcharlesparks.com. Equipment is provided for beginning and intermediate foil classes. Due to the cost of equipment I cannot provide equipment for every class requested. To this end I encourage students committed to continuing their education to obtain their own equipment. This will also enable the student to practice at home.

For any questions contact Robert

Quick Overview of Classes
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		O'Fallon 8 - 9 p.m.				O'Fallon 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Tentative Class Schedule for 2007 There will be at least 3 days during the year when we will be bumped from Civic Hall due to other events put on by O'Fallon.
Winter 2008
Saturday Mornings January 12 - March 15	Beginning Foil	9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Mornings January 12 - March 15	Intermediate Foil	10:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday Evenings January 9 - March 13	Beginning Epee	8 - 9 p.m.
Spring 2008
Saturday Mornings April 5 - June 7	Beginning Foil	9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Mornings April 5 - June 7	Intermediate Foil	10:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday Evenings April 1 - June 3	Basic Smallsword	8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Summer 2008 (with some breaks for summer travels)
Saturday Mornings June 21 - August 30	Beginning Foil	9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Mornings June 21 - August 30	Introduction to Longsword	10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday Mornings June 21 - August 30	Advanced Foil	11:30a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday Evenings June 17 - August 26	Spanish Rapier	8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Fall 2008
Saturday Mornings	Beginning Foil	9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday Mornings	Intermediate Foil	10:30a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday Evenings	TBA	8 - 9 p.m.

Directions to Civic Park (O'Fallon, MO)

From I-70, take the Highway K/M (Main Street) Exit 217 at O'Fallon. Drive north on Main Street for about .5 mile. After crossing the railroad tracks, make an immediate left onto Civic Park Drive. Civic Park is about 2 blocks down, on the right. Look for parking along Civic Park Drive and Woodlawn. For more information, call the City of O'Fallon between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Monday through Friday at 636-379-5606.
www.ofallon.mo.us

Class Descriptions
Beginning Foil	Class will cover fencing with the foil. Classical fencing is a martial art that will develop mental focus and control in the student. Equipment is provided.
Intermediate Foil	Building on the Basic class, intermediate foil will go into advanced skills. Students will put their knowledge to use in application drills and controlled bouting. Beginning Foil required. Equipment is provided.
Advanced Foil	Intermediate foil is required for this class. Advanced foil will consist of fencing drills, instructional bouting with other students, and critic bouting with the instructor. Form and technique will be stressed. Equipment will not be provided.
Italian Foil	Italian foil will provide instruction in the Italian school of foil fencing. Students will learn new forms to compliment his/her abilities and add a new dimension to his/her skill. Intermediate Foil required. Italian foil is not provided, please contact the instructor for equipment recommendations.
Beginning Sabre	The Sabre is the flashiest fencing weapon. Learn to cut and thrust with style and precision. Beginning Foil or prior fencing instruction required. Ages 12 and up, equipment is not provided.
Intermediate Sabre	Building on the Beginning Sabre class, intermediate sabre will go into refinement of skills. Students will put their knowledge to use in application drills and controlled bouting. Beginning Sabre required. Equipment is not provided.
Beginning Epee	The epee evolved during the nineteenth century to teach fencers an understanding of actual combat. It was known as the "dueling sword" of fencing. Basic Foil required, Intermediate Foil recommended. Equipment is not provided.
Basic Smallsword	The smallsword (also know as the court sword) is a fast very controlled fencing technique. The smallsword, a French development, first appeared around 1660 and spread very quickly throughout Europe. The lightweight and very fast action were an extremely lethal combination and resulted in a refined style of swordplay. (Some equipment provided, but serious students should contact the instructor to acquire their own equipment).
French Rapier	Instruction in Rapier techniques primarily from French schools of thought will be introduced. The rapier was a dueling weapon of the civilian populous beginning in the late 1400's. Tactics on rapier and rapier/dagger will be introduced. Students must provide their own weapons, subject to approval by the instructor.
Spanish Rapier	This class will focus on Spanish technique and methods. The Spanish school of dueling was persevered unchanged for over 200 years. Tactics on rapier and rapier/dagger will be introduced. Students must provide their own weapons, subject to approval by the instructor.
Italian Rapier	Instruction in Rapier techniques primarily from the Italian school of thought will be introduced. The rapier was a dueling weapon of the civilian populous beginning in the late 1400 s. Tactics on rapier and rapier/dagger will be introduced. Students must provide their own weapons, subject to approval by the instructor.
Introduction to Longsword (revised)	Intermediate Foil class required, Sabre class recommended. This class will introduce students to fundamental concepts of the longsword. Classes will be composed around drills, and controlled sparing, no real bouting will occur. Equipment is not provided. You must contact the instructor in advance to find out about equipment needed. You must contact the instructor in advance to find out about equipment needed.
Introduction to Broadsword	Intermediate Foil class required, Sabre class recommended. This class is designed to introduce students to the basics of the broadsword. Classes will be centered on drills. No bouting will occur. Equipment is not provided. You must contact the instructor in advance to find out about equipment needed.