Ludosport

In this category, we mainly, if not exclusively, find LudoSport: an original, full fencing form where the predominant elements are the technical movements and strikes with light contact, within a common, structured, definite language, so that each athlete knows the same “term” and can communicate with others in an enjoyable, satisfactory way. To do this, protections are reduced to the minimum essential ones to allow maximum freedom of movement, and technique is more important than physical prowess. The teaching structure offers different content in a progression of complexity and content that even provides for combat using different weapons (single saber, dual saber, saberstaff) held by the pupils from different countries around the world in the relative national and international competitions.

There is a broad, varied range of methods, from simple conventions to more structured forms of armoured fencing, based on true “full contact”. These groups are overseen by several subjects, often limited by their own national borders. For example, this scenario includes the now famous current experiment promoted by the FFE (the French Fencing Federation), that uses full protection for the whole body and a single, simplified fencing system, clearly inspired by canne de combat.

There are, however, other forms emerging, which are “lighter” (no armour and conventions), but no less technical or athletic, an experience which in Italy is being developed by the CSEN: this is a matter of managing to create a contact sport with mask and minimum equipment inspired by the various traditions of Italian and European “staff” fighters, reaching competition level that allows the various interpretations by the athletes (schools) to work with each other, refining and developing their own interpretation of the sport through comparison.

Considering the range and diversification of all these “freestyle” realities, there is scope for a forum wherein to establish common regulations and minimum requisites for the expertise of instructors, in order to guarantee the quality of the studies carried out and suitable protection for the athletes involved. The current deregulation taking place facilitates autonomy but does not help to create those standards that are an integral part of any mechanism used to make a sport popular on an international scale.

The world that we call “Art(istic)” comes from the need to not use lightsabers for direct competition, but to create pre-orchestrated choreographies and combats. This is also a physical activity that requires strict athletic preparation and the ability to memorise complex sequences. The use of a lightsaber in this case is linked to totally different needs: the competition no longer focuses on the search for gaining a point from your adversary, but on performance, in the same way as gymnastics or skating. In this area too, the number of players is still significant; the challenge to transform this activity into a real sport will involve the establishment of a proper system of contests, a quality standard of training and specific regulations.