Teaching kids about swordfighting

[Manu]

I remember playing with plastic swords as a kid. My mom didnt have any rules really, just when she heard one of us crying she would make us stop for a while, after a few minutes it was fair game again. I mean, a strike wiht a plastic sword wont send them to the hospital. Other than that, nerf-like swords sounds like a good idea.

[Shay]

That's a great wikipedia article, and I think there's a boffing group (snerk) around my area I'd forgotten about- I'll have to look into it!

As for constructing my own weapons, we already have the wooden swords and shields, and they're strictly outside toys, so lamps are not in danger.

My husband was a saber fencer, maybe when he gets back I'll pick his brain about it.

[davedove]

That's a great wikipedia article, and I think there's a boffing group (snerk) around my area I'd forgotten about- I'll have to look into it!

As for constructing my own weapons, we already have the wooden swords and shields, and they're strictly outside toys, so lamps are not in danger.

My husband was a saber fencer, maybe when he gets back I'll pick his brain about it.

Maybe you could take the foam pool snakes and slip the wooden swords into them, trimming the excess length to an inch or two past the end of the sword.

[Panache]

I play sword fighting with my son (now 5 3/4) on and off with wooden swords
(from Renaissance Faire and others I cut out of exterior grade plywood.) I always have him aim for the body (never the face or head). Likewise I always aim (though very light swings or stabs) at his body. He is developing a decent parry and riposte for a kindergartener. Then again dueling with a parent is one thing, hacking away at your siblings is another.

I used to fence epee and have a room with various swords hanging from the walls (high up) so I figured that my son was going to be interested sooner or later so I would teach him the basics. His sister just turned three so fencing with her is discouraged.

Panche