Going from Foil to Epee?

I'm not sure I want to do this right now, but a coach, other than my own, wants me to try epee. He's been observing me in foil and giving helpful hints. He says epee will be perfect for me because I can "make my own game." What's that suppose to mean?

I like to try new things, but shouldn't I learn more about foil first? Or is that just old-school thought?

------------------
You CAN teach old dogs new tricks.

[damianip]

What do you want to do? How long have you been fencing?

If you enjoy foil, stick with it. If you think you'd like épée, give it a try.

There are differing schools of thought on how and when to introduce beginners to the other two weapons. This could easily escalate into a war depending on the discussion participants.

Foil teaches many good principles but it also forces you to "unlearn" some things for the modern épée game.

Some individuals can switch weapons effortlessly. Others, like me, need extensive reprogramming to think rather than react.

I fenced foil (if you could really call it "fencing") for two years before switch ing to épée almost exclusively about nine months ago. I still occasionally fence foil for the discipline.

I did so tonight as a matter of fact: against another épéeist at that. It was kind of ugly, highlighted by many simultaneous actions and many beautiful off-target stop thrusts to each other's arms.

Paolo

[attila]

Hi Madame

If you are not into trying epee, then don't. But it will remain an unknown unless you try it. It really is lots of fun. I fence both foil and epee and can't imagine giving either of them up.

------------------
"Kill the men, save the women, and by the gods, do not spill the wine"

[Bugaboo]

1. Give it a try. Keep an open mind. You might find the differences match your personality and subconscious style.

2. Focus entirely on epee for a while so that you can appreciate what you're doing. Treat it like a brand new series of lessons so that you don't get frustrated because X-action doesn't translate directly to Y-action. Become a new student again.

3. If you don't feel comfortable with epee, say so and go back to foil. Be confidant in your choice. Don't let the coach push you into something you don't want.

4. Don't be surprised if a couple of months later you reconsider your decision. Don't fret about being wishy-washy -- few of us make really good first decisions. Just go with it.

As for differences?
* I had a hard time moving the primary target away from the torso and onto the arm. You'll have to consciously readjust fairly often at the beginning.
* Unnecessary parries will also drag you down for a while. Convention (right of way rules) goes right out the window.
* The energy level is subtley different. Counter-attacks become more important. This may be what your coach was referring to.
* Depending on your coaching and personal style, your en garde arm position is probably going to be a little more extended. You'll get used to it quickly enough.
* I've found that weapon repairs are a lot simpler.

Hope that helps.

[foiled again]

Go for it. You might even enjoy it more than foil. I couldn't imagine not fencing foil but now epee is my only weapon. I like the target options in epee and I certainly don't miss right of way.

fa

[scarlet_woman156k]

Nothings better than epee. Go for it. I call it the sneaky weapon. If you don't like it after a good 6 months, then just go back to foil.

And Bugaboo is right, repairs are SO much simpler.

[swordsen]

As an epeeist I have no problem witht he shift. As a coach I do. Sit down and talk to your coach about this. see what he thinks.
this could be nothing more than an attempt to stir up more lessons by the other guy.

[MikeHarm]

I think the comment about making your own game is telling you that he doesn't think you're doing what he wants you to do and are making up your own stuff instead. I've also been working on switching from foil to epee after my fifth year of foil. Epee's a lot of fun, and it frees you from worrying about people being political in their directing.

Mike

[aussie]

Hi Dame,

all the comments so far are good.

Are you satisfied with foil?
we all go through stages of learning, and thus quite periods, these are the times, to work on the finer points of your game.

what does your foil coach think about you doing epee?

as the epee coach should by rights not intrude on another coaches student, unless by permission.

but ultimately it your decision. I fence all three weapons, but i have a coach that teaches all three. a rare find and luxury.

i find that after all three weapons i still have one a like more than the others. The main reason i practice all three is to have a variety and foundation for coaching others.

decide for yourself without being pressured into it by anyone and dont be afraid to change your mind, later down the track if you need to.

Merci to all of you. I think the epee coach is just being nice and not trying to get extra work. Actually I am quite flattered that he notices my efforts because he is probably the best coach in my area. Since I am an "older" fencer he thinks a slower pace would be good for me. My foil coach has mentioned, but not insisted on trying it too.
I just feel like I need to know a lot more about the foil right now. As I look about my salle and watch the other fencers, I see there is much I do not know. Every time I come up with a stategy to "outwit" my coach (yeah, right) he pulls something new I haven't seen before. So, maybe this is why I am hesitant to start something new. Maybe after the tournament, when I can relax a bit, I will try it. I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks again.

------------------
You CAN teach old dogs new tricks.

[mango fever]

I don't see why not - expand a little, it may be fun to learn how to hit new targets, like the toe or the hand, which I think are great points to try to get.