Time after Time after Time

[Niceguy4186]

ok, i started fencing in college about 6 months ago and fell in love with it, my "rival" and i both ended up buying our own equipment. During our class, we would spend about a third of the time fencing each other (two and half hour class) I found that fencing the same person so much did get pretty repetative, and almost dull, but he was the closest match for me. so the question is, should i meet up with my friend over the summer and fence just him and risk burning out? or should i just hold off next fall when the classes start back up again refreshed?
thanxs

[lochinvar]

I would suggest finding a club in your area and fencing through the summer. And get your friend to join, too.

At a local club you will find many different levels of fencing, from beginner through very experienced. This will broaden your fencing horizon while giving you a chance to hone your skill against better fencers. Bonus: I have yet to meet an experienced fencer that didn't have helpful advice for newbies or one that was shy or stingy about sharing that advice.

Then when stuff starts up again in the fall you and your friend will both be many steps ahead.

[Niceguy4186]

There is one club out side of school that i know about. and my friend does go there, but i just got my first apartment and doing the whole two job thing. aka, don't have the time or money to join the club

[lochinvar]

Two jobs and a new apartment? Sounds like you need to concentrate on other stuff first and leave the fencing alone for right now...

If you can't afford the time or money for a club but you still want to fence, go ahead and fence your friend. You can stop anytime if it looks like it's getting too boring.

Maybe your friend can talk some of the people at the club into an informal outside practice night on a semi-regular basis, maybe on nights/weekends when the club doesn't meet. Get creative: just 'cause the mountain won't come to you, that doesn't mean you can't go to the mountain.

Then start up again in the fall.

Good luck.

[ 06-11-2002: Message edited by: lochinvar ]</p>

[Niceguy4186]

[quote]Two jobs and a new apartment? <hr></blockquote>
gotta love being 20

[damianip]

[quote]Originally posted by Niceguy4186:
<strong>&lt;snip!!!&gt;

so the question is, should i meet up with my friend over the summer and fence just him and risk burning out? or should i just hold off next fall when the classes start back up again refreshed?
thanxs</strong><hr></blockquote>


I would suggest drilling more than just endless bouting. If you are disciplined about what you do, then you should at least "maintain" form until you resume and maybe even improve.

Resist the urge to have your drills turn into a bout. Drill, drill, drill.


Paolo

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by damianip:
<strong>
I would suggest drilling more than just endless bouting.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Excellent point, Paolo.

[Cheryl]

Hey Nice Guy....
I'm in Dayton also..
My husband (he teaches the Tues/Thurs dayt 8:00 am class at WSU) and I fence on Sundays at the Kettering Rec Center. Let me know and we'll give you someone else to fence. We fence both foil and sabre, and Greg fences a little epee.

[Stryder]

Niceguy-

If your bouts are getting repetitive, try focusing on something other than winning. identify the patterns and change them. If you are generally the attacker, try to force him to attack you. If you never flick, try it. If you always parry four, try to get him in another line. You will win less, but learn more.

I once fenced an entire bout doing the same stupid thing over and over again. I didn't win, but I did learn a lot about my own speed and timing.

If you are planning on competing soon, focus on winnning, but if not your practice bouts should always be more about learning.
If you are winning your practice bouts, you are probably just reinforcing your own bad habits.

[Niceguy4186]

[quote]Originally posted by Cheryl:
<strong>Hey Nice Guy....
I'm in Dayton also..
My husband (he teaches the Tues/Thurs dayt 8:00 am class at WSU) and I fence on Sundays at the Kettering Rec Center. Let me know and we'll give you someone else to fence. We fence both foil and sabre, and Greg fences a little epee. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Hey Cheryl,
I was wanting to go to your Gregs class, but something about waking up at 8 AM... :-D (actully, i am at work at those times) I did take two quarters of the Wed thing with Tony at WSU. But i will make it to the Kettering Rec one of these days. <img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[Jester]" />