Weeks 1 -4 were getting everyone used to movement. Last week, four, introduced blades and how to hit the wall. Gave them a concept of 4 and 6, then paired them off. One side extend, the other parry 4. No riposte.

This week, we talked about the “building blocks” (skills) they have: Advance, Retreat, Lunge, Extend, 4 and 6. Then asked what they can do with it. A bunch of expected puzzled looks, which isn’t bad.
Lined them up and we started some footwork. The dance-space is ...

I've been thinking a lot about what I get out of fencing. I currently don't have the time to compete or to train as much as I would like. I have been shifting my goals to be more processed focused, with mastery (however unattainable and for that matter nebulous) as a the long term goal. Each week I'll find an area I need to improve and then work specifically on developing the skills I need to achieve this. This, I hope, will make my training more productive and more fun. It is not that my training ...