Students don their helmets and jackets and line up to do warmups, with the addition of a not-so-usual piece of equipment: a sword.
One of De Anza College’s more popular physical education classes is difficult to get into, but is definitely worth giving a look if you need a PE class.
Fencing is a half-unit class that meets twice a week for one hour.
Each class consists of students lining up with their helmets and swords and practicing techniques with other beginning and intermediate fencers.
Students in the fencing class spend much of their time shuffling across the gym as they face their opponents, also clad in helmet and foil.
It’s fast paced, with each three-point match lasting only a few minutes.
Good hand-eye coordination is a must, with the sound of the metal foils echoing through the gym.
De Anza’s cross country coach Nick Mattis has been teaching fencing at De Anza for four years.
Mattis took over the position from Colleen Lee-Wheat, who became the dean of physical education and could not keep teaching fencing.
“It’s interesting to see the interest and development of students in the class,” said Mattis. “It’s always a nice surprise to see them lift their helmets and see that it’s a pretty physically demanding class.”
In the class, you learn fundamental skills with a French foil, and the basic rules of fencing.
In the intermediate class, you go more in-depth into the complexities of fencing.
The next time you are looking for a fun and exciting PE class to put in your schedule, give fencing a try. You will not regret it.