A question of confidence

[Borrissey]

Good afternoon:

I've been fencing for about two months now, and I have won second place in two of the three E+U open epee events that I have entered. I'm still a work in progress and enjoying everything I am learning.

With the North Carolina divisional coming this weekend, I'm trying to decide whether to compete against male D and C level fencers and basically get beat.

I am having fun and not taking losses too seriously.

I guess what I am asking is this.... should I wait to enter an open tournament where I will surely have my weaknesses handed to me on a plate with garnish, or should I stick with E+U tournaments where I can better use my skills and develop more confidence on the piste. And try for open tournaments in the fall after I have some more training....

In my club practice, the higher-rated fencers are beating me to a pulp...try 15-5.

Thanks.

[telkanuru]

The best way to improve is to throw yourself to the wolves, in my opinion. I've lost a lot, but picked up many interesting tricks, and when people pick on your weaknesses, they're really pointing it out for you to fix. It's not a waste of money, if that's what you're thinking. No other reason not to go, I think.

[Black Jeebus]

Dude...fencing people better than you are what its all about. That is one of the quickest easiest ways to get better. I would prefer to fence Opens to E&Us. I might do better in an E&U but the Open is a lot better for my game. I would fence anything you can but if you can only fence one event at a tourney (due to say monetary shortages) I would fence in the Opens, but I've only been fencing since October so my advice might not be the best.

[demon_fencer]

Do both. The only way you'll get better is to fence against people that are "better" than you (the D & C rated fencers). You'll more than likely get beat down, but so long as you learn from it, then it will be worth it. Then, the next time you go up against the E & U rated fencers, you may be surprised at how much "easier" it is to fence against them.

[hpfencing]

As long as you look at the event as a learning process and go into it that way you have the right attitude from fencing this weekend.

My advice is to do what you know how to do this weekend and don't try to copy what you see someone else doing on the strip. Going to tournaments such as this one will widen your perspective of fencing and can be a great learning experience.

When not fencing watch the better fencers. Ask them questions, they will not feel threatened by you and you'll learn a lot.

If you decide not to fence I still suggest you go if you can.

[veeco]

Honestly, I don't really think that sticking too much to E+U tournaments will do much good to your fencing. It seems you have passed that level now (finishing in the top 3 at the last tournaments) and that sticking to this level will detriment your fencing.

By fencing lower ranked fencers you will not get punished for the mistakes you are making and will keep them, whereas fencing higher classification tournaments will give you an opportunity to uncover those mistakes and work on them.

[ShadowHuntr]

vecco and all these guys are 100% correct. ive been fencing for nearly 2 years and i can guarentee you the best tournaments ive been in, or atleast ones where i have learned the most was when i got beat...badly! for example, my first large tournament was Mid-Atlantic Senior Sectionals which was held at my high school, which is probably the only reason why i participated. at any rate i got royally destroyed but it really helped me in the long run.
here is a little little anecdote:
up until that tournament i didnt realize that fencers ever screamed after a touch, no one at my club or anyone in small tournaments i had been in yelled. so when i saw it i go to my coach and say "is that even legal?" :P

[esskreemr]

Yes, you'll definitely learn more at higher level tournaments. In addition to a wider variety of fencers, higher level tournaments tend to have higher level directors (not always the case). You'll still get plenty of great fencing in and you will get a chance to learn from other fencers. In addition, just stepping onto the strip not knowing squat about your opponent ( and vice versa) will help break any inbreeding (fencing the same people over and over) and you may be pleasantly surprised (or horrified) with what you can do when you get past the learned hangups that have been beaten into you during club bouting (happens to all of us).

Of course, getting whipped soundly provides plenty of motivation to up your training and try to work on any kinks.

[noodle]

truly the only way to get better is to fence people better than you. they're the ones that show you your biggest mistakes.

[Tigerlily86]

I would most definitely go for the more challenging competition. Im in a similar situation(ive only been fencing a couple of months)and ill be the first to say i have no idea what im doing. I decided to be gutsy and enter a local beginners tournament anyway. I have never had more fun losing in my entire life, and i really learned a lot.

[BrianH]

Borrissey,

I have a bit more experience than some of the posters who have replied to your message, but they are all giving you good advice and equally good rationale. By all means, compete in higher-level tournaments, and keep track of what works and what doesn't in a journal. You are keeping a competition journal, aren't you?

Yes, you'll probably lose several bouts, and it's okay to lose as long as you learn from each one. Don't take your losses seriously, but don't make a friend of losing, either. It won't help your fencing in the long run to either lose every bout, or to win every one.

Keep your actions simple, clean and unpredictable. Think about distance, timing and tempo. Remise, counterattack, circular parry with opposition. Ask for advice after each bout; more experienced fencers will generally be very happy to help you improve.

Good luck, and please let us know how your tournament goes.

Brian

[angrylemur]

Don't waste any opportunities to fence better fencers. If you can go then go. It's important you keep in mind your experience level, though. Quite often new fencers go to competitions as the best fencers in their beginner classes expecting to do well, and get let down big time. It seems like you have a good grasp of where you are, so you should be okay.

It's been mentioned, but don't try to emulate the fencers there too much. A lot of beginners make this mistake a really misunderstand what's going on in an action. Just listen to your coach, fence all the people you can, and above else have a good time.

[Borrissey]

Thanks everyone. I guess I need to get there and see what I have learned. I get a bit discouraged when people are landing toe touches [god, I have those] and then have a good fencer close the distance and "flick" to my back.

I don't to go into those battles when I don't have all of my weapons [i.e.--techniques] down pat.

Cheers.

Anyone else have this same problem?

[D'Artag-NOT]

Thanks everyone. I guess I need to get there and see what I have learned. I get a bit discouraged when people are landing toe touches

Switch to foil.

[dunastor]

Or sabre. No toe touches or flicks either

[CarlKnoch]

Jump in both feet, and enjoy! Revel in every touch you get, and learn from what you see.

Cheers!

[Chris]

Good afternoon:

I am having fun and not taking losses too seriously.

I guess what I am asking is this.... should I wait to enter an open tournament
Thanks.

Sounds like a 'no-brainer', to me!

You've been doing fine in the wading pool, go ahead, and get your suit wet!

If you really don't like, well, then, step back, and take some more time!


Have Fun!

[hpfencing]

Did you end up fencing? If so how did you do?

[Borrissey]

hi all:

Actually I didn't fence in the north carolina divisionals last week since my mother was in town. I speak the truth. But now that I have been learning beat attacks and improving my parries, I will enter two open competitions that some local clubs are holding. After three months, I feel more comfortable with what I am doing.

I just envisioned myself as a prize baseball player who needed to spend some time in the minors [e+u tournaments] before moving on to the big show [local tournaments and then state and national ones.]

Thanks for everyone's words. Word up.

[telkanuru]

For the toe touches, wear an extra pair of socks