Classical vs Sport Fencing
The main difference in philosophies between classical and sport fencing is how the swords are viewed. A classical fencer views them as safe replicas of old fashioned dueling swords and that they should only be used, as they would have been, in an old fashioned duel. A sport fencer views the safe swords in use today as a continued evolution of the sword (that has been going on for centuries) and wants to use the swords to their current, fullest potential.
Sport fencing offers the opportunity for a person to be much more competitive than classical fencing as all of the high level sanctioned competitive events (World Cup, Olympics) are based on sport fencing. The heightened competition in sport fencing has caused its upper skill levels to be much more dynamic and athletic than classical fencing.
Since classical fencers train for mock duels, they are more focused on bladework and are much more conservative. They don't take the risks of athleticism (dynamic footwork) in order to avoid a one touch elimination (to stay alive).
There are a number of classical coaches who criticize the sport fencing community for poor sportsmanship and lack of general respect. Since sport fencing is more competitive, there are more chances of finding organizations that don't teach respect (like any other competitive sport), but neither sport fencing nor classical fencing has a monopoly on teaching sportsmanship, respect, and discipline. That is a function of the philosophy of the head coach of the club. You need to visit each organization and decide for yourself if the coach believes that winning is more important than developing the entire person.
Rockville Fencing Academy recognizes that sport fencing is an evolution of classical fencing and thus we feel that classically-based fencing teaches the sound fundamentals that all fencers need. Thus our curriculum for entry level and recreational fencers is classically based – demanding all of the discipline and respect of classical fencing. When the classically-based skills are mastered and the fencer has a desire to compete, then the adjustments of modern sport fencing are layered on top of the student's sound fundamental base.
