Synopses & Reviews
"A model of fencing instruction."
Time Magazine"A detailed and well-illustrated exposition of the art."The New York Times
Amateur champion and Olympic gold medalist, professional competitor and fencing master, duelist and teacher, Aldo Nadi ranks among the greatest fencers of all time. Born at the turn of the twentieth century into an Italian fencing family, Nadi grew up in a milieu that fostered a passion for fencing. In this outstanding guide, he offers an unsurpassed wealth of technical and tactical advice and evokes the sport's glamour, romance, and excitement.
Suitable for both beginners and advanced fencers, this comprehensive guide to foil technique progresses from fundamentals to sophisticated maneuvers. Nadi presents philosophical and practical evaluations of every facet of the game, from attack, defense, and deceit, to the impulse to win, the tournament temperament, and the ability to analyze opponents. Only a fencer of Nadi's caliber could write with such complete authority, sharing the secrets discovered with many years of experience.
Written in the 1940s, this book became the most-sought-after volume of its kind. Nadi's advice remains as valid today as it was decades ago, and his guide is essential reading for every serious fencer and aspiring champion.
Synopsis
One the greatest of modern swordsmen and an Olympic champion, Nadi instructed men, women, and children in the art and science of fencing. His comprehensive and accessible manual covers fundamental and advanced foil techniques and offers philosophical and psychological evaluations of every facet of the sport.
Synopsis
Amateur champion and Olympic gold medalist, professional competitor and fencing master, duelist and teacher--Aldo Nadi ranks among the greatest fencers of all time. In this comprehensive guide to foil technique, suitable for both beginners and advanced fencers, he offers an unsurpassed wealth of technical and tactical advice and evokes the sport's glamour, romance, and excitement. Nadi presents philosophical and practical evaluations of every facet of the game, from attack, defense, and deceit, to the impulse to win, the tournament temperament, and the ability to analyze opponents. Written in the 1940s, this guide became the most-sought-after volume of its kind, and it remains essential reading for every serious fencer and aspiring champion. xviii+318pp. Foreword by Paul Gallico. 8 illustrations. 53/8 x 81/2.
Synopsis
In this comprehensive guide to foil technique, a fencing master and Olympic gold medalist offers an unsurpassed wealth of technical and tactical advice. Covers every facet of the game, from attack, defense, and deceit.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Paul Gallico
I. Introduction
II. The Sword--Yesterday and Today
III. Things You Should Know Before Your First Lesson
Mechanics of the Foil
IV. Footwork
The Weapon.
Choosing and Gripping the Foil.
"Must" Fencing Formalities. The Guard.
The Advance, The Retreat, The Jump-Forward.
The Lunge.
The Recovery--Backward and Forward.
The Lunge (Cont'd).
The Jump-Back.
Combined Movements.
V. The Parries
Lateral, Vertical and Diagonal Parries--High Line, Low Line.
Circular Parries.
Combinations of Parries.
VI. The Attacks
Direct Simple Attacks Upon Contact Invitation:
High Line Lateral Actions:
Disengage
One-Two
One-Two-Three
Double
Double-and-Disengage
Double-One-Two
One-Two-Deceive
Double-and-Double
Triple
One-Two-Deceive-and-Double
Low Line Lateral Actions.
Vertical Actions and Their Combinations with Lateral Actions.
Coupés. Parries of Quinte and Counter-of-Quinte.
Direct Simple Attacks In-Time.
Direct Simple Attacks Upon Non-Contact Invitation.
Direct Simple Attacks with Actions on the Blade:
With Beat--Strong Beats.
Light Beats.
With Pressure.
With Bind--Croisé, Envelopment. Yielding Parries.
Direct Composed Attacks.
Attacks After a Retreat or Preparatory Advance.
VII. The Parry-Ripostes
Technique of the Riposte.
Parry-Ripostes Executed When Your Adversary Attacks Upon His Own Initiative:
On-the-Spot
Retreating
Advancing
Parry-Ripostes Executed When Your Adversary Attacks Upon Your Provocation.
Counterparry-Ripostes. Septime-High.
VIII. The Counterattacks
Counterattacks-Proper.
Stop-Thrusts:
After Provocation with Pressure or Attempted Pressure
In-Time After Provocation With Threat
The Inquartata.
IX. Contretemps Against Stop-Thrusts
X. The Remise and the Reprise of Attack
XI. In-Fighting
Combat
XII. Free Will in Defense
XIII. Pre-Combat Exercises
XIV. Combat Training
XV. Competition
For Teachers Only
XVI. The Fencing Master
Appendix