When to start Sabre

[Cheryl]

I wanted to get some input.

I have a 7 year old daughter who has been fencing for about 6 months. She still needs lots of work in foil, however, she is showing increased interest in sabre (Both my husband and I prefer sabre).

What age do you think she can be started on sabre?
There are not many folks fencing sabre(4-5 including us)in our club. So it will probably be to begin teaching her, then she would move to my husband. He is substantially better than I am.

[Bebop and Rocksteady]

I have strong opinions on when it would be appropriate for certain ages to have certain privledges when it comes to fencing. In my opinion, foil should be studied alone for a bare minimum of 2-3 years.

You basically answered your own question. You said she still needs work in foil, so keep her fencing foil as long as neccessary. Make sure she extends her arm before lunging, uses the parry-ripostes over counterattacks, and that her parries don't become more reactive in second-intention, etc.

Since sabre and epee technique borrow heavily from foil, she would make an effective sabre fencer only if she becomes well-versed in foil.

[edew]

[quote]Originally posted by Cheryl:
<strong>I wanted to get some input.

I have a 7 year old daughter who has been fencing for about 6 months. She still needs lots of work in foil, however, she is showing increased interest in sabre (Both my husband and I prefer sabre).

What age do you think she can be started on sabre?
There are not many folks fencing sabre(4-5 including us)in our club. So it will probably be to begin teaching her, then she would move to my husband. He is substantially better than I am.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Feel free to start ASAP.

[Peach]

I'm more and more inclined to start kids in whatever you feel like starting them in. Of course, I don't start kids as young as 7 -- my lower limit is 8.

[Inquartata]

Immediately, if she really wants to do it.

[Ben[PrFC]]

[quote] Since sabre and epee technique borrow heavily from foil, she would make an effective sabre fencer only if she becomes well-versed in foil. <hr></blockquote>

Um...please tell me someone else takes issue with this..
B&B: Don't you think a more accurate statement would be to say she'll only be an effective sabre fencer if she...becomes an effective sabre fencer?
I started with sabre, and I still don't fence foil(did once), and Im none the worse for it, as well I'm sure there are many people on the board who feel the same way.

[KShan5[PrFC]]

I have to agree with Ben. I have been started on sabre and have tried foil once. It was decent, but I still prefer sabre. Plus, I think you should allow your child to fence whichever weapon she wants. You fence for fun, and if you enjoy one weapon more then the other, why not fence it? Plus, why not let your daughter give sabre a whirl, she may not even like it [which I find hard to believe but....].

[sabreur]

I have to agree with the boys from Mass. I started fencing at 19, when I wandered into my college fencing hall and picked up a sabre. I've never fenced anything else (point weapons are a mystery to me), but I do quite nicely in sabre, thank you very much. There is no reason to start in foil.

We have a crew of kids (10-12 years old now) who all started fencing sabre about three years ago. Seven is a little young, because the necessary concentration might not be there, but you can start with footwork and fencing related games.

Cheers, MR

[ 06-14-2002: Message edited by: sabreur ]</p>

[Cheryl]

I understand the "issues" about starting with one weapon, however, we didn't really have a choice about it. It was foil or nothing and we wanted her to have the chance to begin with lessons from someone other than Mom or Dad. Plus the fact that foil is less expensive than sabre. I didn't want to spend a small fortune on equipment. So we only bought a basic set-up. We have 2 other kids (ages 4 and 2.5) and they already say they want to fence. We began Erin at 6. She does o.k., but you are right, concentration can be a problem. We don't push it for now. Fencing is fun and we want to keep it that way.

I disagree with the fact that sabre and epee rely on a foil foundation. I began with foil and had to relearn most things when I picked up a sabre (begining with the grip). I do find however, that if I begin a practice session with foil, then go to sabre I do fine. BUT, if I begin with sabre and then try to go to foil. My point control is not very good.

Thanks for the imput. I think we may see if she is still interested in the fall.

[sabreur]

One thing I find a little funny about US fencing is the immediate plunge into electric fencing at a very young age. In Germany, the kids fence dry until they hit about 11-12 years old--certainly makes it cheaper to start and keep them going through the younger years.

MR

[Cheryl]

Erin is dry. She has only fenced electric 2 times. Once for practice and once in a novice tourney. We borrowed the equipment from the club. I agree. These kids don't need to be electified this young!

[HilandDoug]

If she's tough enough to take a smashing cut to the elbow bone, collar bone, or wrist bone (the one's I've had that have left the worst bruises), then go for it. I would suggest keeping her away from any hacks for a few years, though.

Come to think of it, I may have just stated the obvious, but that's my 2 cents.

[Inquartata]

Heh, I wish I could keep me away from the hacks, for that matter!

Yeah, I have never understood the "EVERYvun VILL start mit FOIL!" thing some coaches seem to have. For beginners with no clue what their preferences, strengths or dispositions might be, sure, but if I know I only ever want to do sabre why the devil should I start off with foil?

I echo Joseph Campbell: "Follow your bliss".

[KC]

Heck, I started a club and all I teach is sabre... The new members only know sword fighting so foil, sabre, epee who cares.... As long as its sword fighting... I teach sabre cause its what I like.

[slosher]

Stick with both, from my viewpiont, I tend to agree with the progression of foil, to epee and then to sabre. I try to do all three weapons (though not as well as I would like) but I feel that there is a significant amount of crossover. I think foilists should take a few sabre lessons, since the various parries in sabre become very useful when you begin fencing people who like to flick. Like the epee because you start targeting people on the arm with the point. One bad habit that I seem to notice with people who start out with sabre is that when they use an epee or a foil, they sometimes whack with the blade (Was on the receiving end of a few headcuts with an epee).

[135711]

the #5 block is very difficult and it has to be "second" nature, the reflex has to be there, so why not now. she doesn't have the strength to do any damage to anyone...so, why not just go for it.

[counter riposte]

I would have a tendency to agree with most of the group. I started with foil and found it to be interesting but not fun. After picking up a sabre, things definitely changed. While having a good basis in foil and epee are great for point control, distance and defense, I think your kid should go with what is most fun for them. If that means hacking at someone with a sabre, so be it.

[Catlady]

I have to agree, fence what you want to fence. I want to start sabre but have been advised it might be better to wait until my footwork is more solid. That's what I'm going to do. Still, I don't believe that not having the foil background would be any kind of hinderance to being a good sabreur.
I am told however that generally learning sabre or epee after starting on foil is easier than starting something else then switching to foil. However, if you're not planning on doing foil then obviously, it doesn't make a lot of difference.