Get Me Outta Here Fast!

[D'Artag-NOT]

Just a check-back (and thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions)--

Last week in my lesson my coach just came at me, calling "Run run run run run runrunrunrun RUN!" I was supposed to watch his bladework and execute a stop thrust if he pulled his arm up as though to coupe or flick, or a parry-4/riposte if he extended. Something about concentrating on his bladework seemed to help me forget how fast I was going, and that seems to have helped. There was a marked improvement. As I rather suspected, it was as much a mental problem as a physical one.

The way my coach explained it, a lot of the fencers in my club aren't too aggressive with me (my guess is that they're unconsciously taking it easy because I'm so much older). And then I have trouble at competitions when I'm facing opponents who, as he puts it, "come on like flailing wolverines".

Hence my new fencing motto, above. I may have a T shirt made up.

Thanks for all the thoughtful suggestions, my friends.

[ReverseLunge]

I think you should stop making excuses about your age.

[usfafencer]

Can anyone recommend some good drills to help me increase the speed of my advances and retreats? (Note: "Just move faster" is not what I would consider a helpful response . . . )

Thanks.

Hi all,

So here's my two cents:

1. Proper technique
2. Agility and speed training - general and sport specific
3. Strength training
4. Plyometrics
5. aerobic conditioning

If you want to get faster, you need all of the above at some point. Proper technique is almost a no-brainer; not only will it make you faster, it will help your fencing. Agility and speed training is both general and sport specific. General training will help with overall coordination, direction change (lateral and linear), reaction time and kinesthetic awareness. Sport specific training will be fencing specific - using resistance bands for advancing and retreating, the before mentioned bungee-lunge device, resistance training with a partner, using weight vests, overspeed training (cat belts and bullet belts etc). Strength training will provide you with the base necessary to fully incorporate all the other training aspects. Plyometrics will work on your explosiveness at the end or beginning of actions. Finally, aerobic conditioning will allow you fence all day and still be strong.

Go to www.humankinetics.com and search for speed, plyometrics, resistance training, functional training etc. They have some of the best resources for self help and learning.