Proficiency Awards
Our coaches are able to offer members the opportunity to take grades 1-3 in foil and hope to be able to offer higher levels (including epee and sabre) in the future. The syllabi for grades 1-3 are given below. Details for higher grades can be found on the BFA website
Grade 1 - Foil
Demonstrate: (with coach or partner)
1. The Grip
2. The Salute
3. The On guard - Guards of Sixte & Quarte
4. Steps Forward and Backward
5. The Lunge - Hitting - Direct Attack
6. Simple Parry with Direct Riposte
7. Simple Parry with Direct first Counter-Riposte
Describe:
1. How to use your foil safely
2. How to fence safely
3. The Target Area
4. The Principles of Fencing with the foil
5. Fencing Etiquette
Grade 2 - Foil
Demonstrate: (with coach or partner)
While following your partner's steps forward and backward
1. Maintain fencing line
2. Maintain correct distances for hitting with - Riposte - Lunge - Step forward lunge
3. Maintain lunging distance and make a direct Attack with a lunge each time your partner pauses
From a stationary position:
1. Guards of Septime and Octave
2. Engagements in Sixte, Quarte, Septime and Octave - Changes of Engagements - Pressures
3. Disengage Attack with a lunge on partner's pressure from:
- Engagement in Sixte
- Engagement in Quarte
4. Circular Parry of:
- Sixte with Direct Riposte
- Quarte with Direct Riposte
Describe:
1. Courteous and respectful behaviour and fencers "Pledges of Honour" (cf. t.114, t.116, t.120)
2. Parts of the Foil
3. Dimensions of the Piste
Grade 3 - Foil
Demonstrate: (with coach or partner)
While following your partner's steps forward and backward:
1. Maintain engagements in Sixte, Quarte, Septime & OctaveDisengage
2. Attack with a lunge from Sixte each time your partner pauses and attempts to engage blades in:-
- Sixte from a low line guard
- Quarte from a low line guard
From a stationary position:
1. Two types of lunge:
- Accelerating
- Explosive
2. Balestra - Balestra step forward - Balestra lunge
3. Beats and change Beats in Sixte, Quarte, Septime & Octave
4. Semi-circular Parries with Direct Ripostes
5. A One-two Attack with an accelerating lunge when your partner attempts to:-
- Engage blades in quarte, parries into Sixte
- Engage blades in Sixte, parries into Quarte
Describe:
1. Simple Attacks and Ripostes, and name three types of Parries
2. Difference between Simple and Compound actions
3. Duties of Referee and Judges
4. Timekeeping during competitions
5. Rules regarding the boundaries of the Piste