Fencing equipment and attributes
Just as there is a difference between sparring and fighting, there is also a difference between fencing and sword fighting. The fencing equipment blade becomes an extension of your hand and does your talking in the conversation of blades that fencing is. While the Italians discovered that simplification led to perfection of fence, the Spanish moved towards making fencing a mysterious science. Many early fencing teachers were themselves commoners, and urban militias made up of ordinary citizens were frequently equipped with swords. Coordination, speed, agility and self assurance are just a few of the qualities this sport requires of its participants.