Abstract
Geometrical fencing is a scientific approach to fencing pioneered by Camillo Agrippa in the XVIth century which consists of characterizing the geometrical structure of fencing movements. Many geometrical spaces are involved in a duel, which evolve over time according to the skills of the fencers and the game rules. In this article, the concept of motion scheme is introduced as a flexible geometrical structure to represent fencing spaces evolving over time. The method is applied to the video of a duel of the Olympic games 2016. Five main results are presented. First, decisive actions of the duel are deduced from the distance between fencers. Second, footwork is reconstructed from horizontal movements of the feet. Third, a kinematic model is developed and compared with data in the literature. Fourth, the lunge attack is characterized and compared with data in the literature. Fifth, the role of the free hand is studied in the case of protective and balancing gestures. These findings provide rich information on the geometrical structure of fencing movements as well as on the tactical-strategic choices made by the fencers in real competition conditions. Finally, four applications illustrate the scientific value of motion schemes in fencing and other sports.
Highlights
In 1553, the Italian fencing theorist Camillo Agrippa published the popular book Trattato di scientia d’arme [1], which presents the foundations of fencing that are still effective today
He was influenced by Euclidean geometry and Aristotelian physics, and as such is considered the pioneer of the scientific approach called geometrical fencing
Elite fencing athletes must fully deploy their physical and psychological capacities during real competitions, which are difficult to reproduce in laboratory
Summary
In 1553, the Italian fencing theorist Camillo Agrippa published the popular book Trattato di scientia d’arme [1], which presents the foundations of fencing that are still effective today. Agrippa explains that the thrust being a straight-line attack, it covers the shortest distance [3] He recommends a guard position where the arm is in front of the body and the point threatens the enemy [2]. He gives a geometrical argument for the lunge with a diagram, showing how the arm extension and the knee flexion allow to reach the target at distance [2].
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