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BRITISH PARAPLEGIC FENCING ASSOCIATION (BPFA)
Background
Originally devised at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, U.K., competitive wheelchair fencing
was first introduced in 1953 and has been a Paralympic sport since Rome in 1960. Popular in Europe since its inception, the
sport is now practised in 25 countries worldwide.
How
Does it Differ from Able-Bodied Fencing?
Unlike able-bodied fencing, wheelchair fencing is static: the fencers
are clamped to the piste, a metal frame (two versions of this frame, the French and the Italian, are used in competition;
see lower left). Beyond this, the sport is largely similar to its able-bodied counterpart.
Fencers are classified
according to their level of ability. Class A fencers have full sitting balance, and many can still stand or even walk.
Those in the B Class don't have full sitting balance but do have full use of their arms and hands, whilst C Class fencers
do not have full arm and/or hand activity.
History
The sword is one of the oldest of weapons and has long been used to demonstrate
skill and speed, and of course to settle 'matters of honour'.
The Modern Olympic sport of fencing demands those same talents of speed and skill allied with fitness
and stamina to produce the complete fencer. Learning the skills of attacking and defending with either foil, epee or sabre,
fencers develop good coordination, balance and flexibility.
Fencing is one of the few personal combat sports that can be successfully practised from a wheelchair.
The rules are exactly the same as in the able-bodied sport with a few minor additions to cover the complications of fighting
from a chair.
The wheelchair fencer is clamped down at the appropriate distance and angle from the opponent which
means that neither can get out of range during the bout. This makes for exciting, intense and tough competition demanding
high levels of concentration with the slightest error resulting in defeat.
Fencing has developed widely around the World and the Association provides fencers to represent Great
Britain at International, World and Paralympic Competitions. There are also events for the novice and junior fencer.
Organisation
Wheelchair fencing (along with other disability fencing) in Britain
now comes under the aegis of The British Disabled Fencing Association which in turn is affiliated to The BritishFencing Association.
The secret of successful coaching in wheelchair fencing is adaptability - making the abilities of the
disabled person fit the rules. In other words, forget the disability and concentrate on the abilities.
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fencing is static, and in competition chairs must be fixed in place by metal frames. Whilst frames are obviously beneficial
for coaching purposes, they are not essential - a wheelchair can be held sufficiently firmly by a third party during a lesson.
The fencing measure for each of the three weapons is shown in the following line drawings:
The fencer with the shortest arm decides whether the fight will be at his distance or that of his opponent.
The non-sword arm is used to hold on to the wheelchair to assist the lunge and recovery (probably an obvious statement, but
at least one coach has taught wheelchair pupils to raise the non-sword arm as a counter-balance). The fencers come on guard
with absence of blade and the point must not extend beyond the opponent's guard before the command "allez".
The target at foil and sabre is exactly the same as the able-bodied target area. At epee the target
is everything above the waist with a lame apron being worn to cancel out hits below the waist. Feet must remain on footrests
and not touch the piste, and daylight must not be seen between the fencer's buttocks and the seat of his chair. Apart from
all of this, the rules are exactly the same as able-bodied rules where they apply, e.g. rules relating to fleche attacks,
crossing over on the piste, corps a corps etc., obviously do not apply.
Fencers may lean back out of reach as far as their disability will allow provided always that the rules
relating to footrests and buttocks are observed.
Because fencers are 'in distance' for the whole of a fight, there is very little sword play and fights,
particularly at foil and sabre, tend to be very quick.
It is not necessary for the coach to sit in a wheelchair, an ordinary chair will suffice.
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Other Disabilities
Arm amputees have largely succeeded in establishing themselves in the
able-bodied fencing world (e.g. Robert Bruniges to name but one) and long may they continue to do so.
Leg amputees, particularly 'above knee' amputees have from custom and practice (and probably comfort
and safety!) fenced from a wheelchair. There is, however, no reason why they should not fence on their feet if they wish,
and if it swells the numbers of interested participants making competition for them more meaningful, then it should be encouraged.
Rules for ambulatory disabled would be exactly the same as for able-bodied. If in the fullness of time they prove that modifications
to the rules are necessary, then these would be given due consideration in the light of national and international opinion.
For more information about wheelchair fencing contact:
Paul Cordell
secretary@bpfa.org.uk
Secretary, BPFA
92 Challinor
Church Langley
Essex
CM17 9XD
International Wheelchair Fencing Committee: http://www.iwfencing.com
Fencing Frames
The only manufacturer in Britain is Alfred Bekker Ltd in Driffield,
East Yorkshire.
Telephone No. 01377 241700
Fax:
01377 241767
e-mail: info@alfredbekker.com
Cost is approximately £1,000 per frame, but remember to apply to local and national bodies for grants,
ie National Playing Fields Association, Council for Physical Recreation, Sports Development departments etc. Frames
are also manufactured in France, Germany and Italy, but are generally more expensive even without the cost of shipping.
A general tip: Wherever you decide to purchase your frame from, make sure you have something to
put under it, e.g. hardboard, an old piece of carpet or rubber matting etc., because once you have a couple of hefty fencers
on either end, it may well mark or even damage the floor!
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