Prospective Students
Thank you for visiting Trovare di Spada on the web. For more than 13 years our instructors and fencers have worked to provide the Saint Louis community, and the Midwest at large, the very best in fencing instruction and training. Unlike other organizations in the area, TDS is a school of fencing, not a club. This difference means that complete understanding of the systems of defense is our principal objective. Our training method is described as “perpetual and cooperative”; at TDS there is no segregation between genders nor ages; all students and fencers cooperate in the learning process and work with one another to achieve personal goals. We follow a classical pedagogy of a traditional system. This means that the process is logical and focuses on the practical combative techniques passed down to us through the lineage of fencing masters. Rather than adopt unnecessary rules and distort techniques, we maintain the precise and efficient use of dueling weapons. Therefore, training at TDS is a martial art and not a modern sport.
Prospective students are asked to observe at least two training sessions and then meet with the Director for admission. Once registered, the new student begins training in the fundamental elements of fencing. Upon successful completion of this Preliminary Course, the student is allowed to test and become a full member. The TDS ranking system is:
- First Fencer: Director, sala founder
- Second Fencer: an assistant instructor, 2F exam, at least 12 years experience
- Third Fencer: smarra, sabre and rapier training and 3F exam, approximately 7 years experience
- Fourth Fencer: sabre and combat training and 4F exam, approximately 4 years experience
- Fifth Fencer: completion of Student smarra training and 5F exam, with a minimum 1 year of training
- Student: a new fencing student
Students are encouraged to purchase and follow as textbook Maestro William Gaugler’s book, The Science of Fencing (Laureate Press). Other books and print material are available to students upon request.
