What fencing type are you?

[esskreemr]

I know that no fencer fits 100% into these categories. I'm just interested in what category fencers would lump themselves into. If you think that your a 20/20/20/20 pick the one you would like to be...

I'm sure that there are many different labels that would each work as well or better in this case.

Did I leave out any pertinent disclaimers?

Naturists - May or may not go to club regularly, depends on the input of others in a non-coaching situation. Tends to watch closely at meets and picks up new moves through observation. Unconventional fencer with plenty of "tricks" up his sleeve

Athlete - Most physical endeavors come easy. Picks up new skills quicker than average. Relies on speed and fast reactions to stay a step ahead of the opponent.

Tactician - Doesn't seem to move all that fast, until it's too late for you. Constant recon allows this fencer to manipulate their opponents like little puppets on strings. First intention? What's that? The point is only worthy if it is preceded by subterfuge and misinformation.

Technician - Textbook footwork, textbook bladework. Should be on a fencing instruction video somewhere. Clean, crisp, clear motions. A lunge to die for (or from). Everybody has fenced one and left envious.

[noodle]

"one of these things is not like the other thing"
can you guess which one?

in my opinion, of course.


i think that the last three are ways to describe a fencer, and though they can be combined together to describe one fencer, they're all ways of describing a person's fencing on strip. the first, though, is more of a way in which you describe a person's personality off-strip, while the unconventionalism or tricksyness can be grouped into tactician, as doing something unexpected or unconventional is a very good tactic. (edited for clarity)

that said and ignoring the first one, i feel i'm 30%/40%/30%, though others might see me differently

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I know that no fencer fits 100% into these categories. I'm just interested in what category fencers would lump themselves into. If you think that your a 20/20/20/20 pick the one you would like to be...

I'm sure that there are many different labels that would each work as well or better in this case.

Did I leave out any pertinent disclaimers?

Naturists - May or may not go to club regularly, depends on the input of others in a non-coaching situation. Tends to watch closely at meets and picks up new moves through observation. Unconventional fencer with plenty of "tricks" up his sleeve

Athlete - Most physical endeavors come easy. Picks up new skills quicker than average. Relies on speed and fast reactions to stay a step ahead of the opponent.

Tactician - Doesn't seem to move all that fast, until it's too late for you. Constant recon allows this fencer to manipulate their opponents like little puppets on strings. First intention? What's that? The point is only worthy if it is preceded by subterfuge and misinformation.

Technician - Textbook footwork, textbook bladework. Should be on a fencing instruction video somewhere. Clean, crisp, clear motions. A lunge to die for (or from). Everybody has fenced one and left envious.

I'm the deceptor. I fence like an idiot, and they let down their guard. I then nail them with simple things like first intention chest shots, all the while looking like it was an accident, by the time they catch on, they are down a few points.

[tchwojko]

I wish I were 0/50/0/50 (who needs tactics if you're quick, strong and technically clean), but am more likely 50/0/50/0 (out of shape, with bad habits, relying on trickery).

[40Saberthieves]

Probably 10/35/35/20

[MyraTrue]

*stares hard at all categories* uh oh... well, lets see...

can we add, "instinctive spaz"?

naturalist.... not really. Athlete? No chance at all: not me. Tactician: "You think too much... it sure doesn't work!" And I'm too messy and "but it works" for any points in the technician line.

So that makes me just about 0/0/0/0 So what the heck am I?

I figure most of my fencing is sheer determination and desire, along with some random amusing antics and overstrung nerves.

[frenzl]

30/27/30/3 i guess that about describes me -but it depends on who i'm fencing at how i'm feeling

[Negrini Man]

-1/-1/-1/-1

[mrbiggs]

Half naturist, half technician.

I'm not too fast (except in the hands ) and do alot of mental stuff, and I learn by watching.

And as for the tricks up his sleeve thing, there's nothing I like better to fence teammates who are giving each other advice. I try to completely change my fencing style between the bouts, just to screw up their mental concentration.

[EpeeConvert]

One of my biggest problems is in tactics. I'm not that great of an athlete but i do have a quick eye... when i'm not the one fencing. When watching club mates or friends fence i can offer suggestions on actions and weakpoints of the other fencer but i cannot notice these things in a timely fashion when i am on the strip. i usually understand after i am done fencing and am replaying the bout in my head. is there anything i can do to improve this other than sticking through it till i get it?

[Saber-Psycho]

"Tends to watch closely at meets and picks up new moves through observation.
Relies on speed and fast reactions to stay a step ahead of the opponent.
First intention? What's that?"

That's my category.
Mawhaha.

[mackillian]

I'm an athlete working on bringing in more tactics--so I think it's reached about 30% tactics and 70% athlete.

The tactics sure worked today.

[CvilleFencer]

I think you forgot one important category. The Brutal Thug.

The brutal thug is usually a larger than average person, or has the attitude of one. They are known for quicksilver tempers, Corp a Corp (maybe without realizing it), knocking peoples blades out of their hands on beats or injuring their wrists on takes. Other fencers tend to fear for their well being before a match with them. Young children sometimes freeze up when they are fencing them. Often screams or makes animal like noises while fencing. May be voted most likely to kill and eat their opponent by club mates. May or may not do any or all of the above intentionally, but gets the rep anyway.

I am sad to say I would probably be 20/20/5/5 and 50 of the above category.

[RebelFencer]

5/60/25/10

At least that's how I perceive it. Wrestling--The best non-fencing fencing training available. w00t!

[gojujay]

40/25/25/10/0

When extremely frustrated (or tired), brutal thug goes to 110

[sabreur]

I think you forgot one important category. The Brutal Thug.

The brutal thug is usually a larger than average person, or has the attitude of one. They are known for quicksilver tempers, Corp a Corp (maybe without realizing it), knocking peoples blades out of their hands on beats or injuring their wrists on takes. Other fencers tend to fear for their well being before a match with them. Young children sometimes freeze up when they are fencing them. Often screams or makes animal like noises while fencing. May be voted most likely to kill and eat their opponent by club mates. May or may not do any or all of the above intentionally, but gets the rep anyway.

Known as the "Black-carded, excluded from the round or kicked out of the club" where I fence...

MR

[cfaustus]

One of my biggest problems is in tactics. I'm not that great of an athlete but i do have a quick eye... when i'm not the one fencing. When watching club mates or friends fence i can offer suggestions on actions and weakpoints of the other fencer but i cannot notice these things in a timely fashion when i am on the strip. i usually understand after i am done fencing and am replaying the bout in my head. is there anything i can do to improve this other than sticking through it till i get it?

Yes there is. The fact that you are able to see the actions of others and at least replay them in your head from your own bouts is a GOOD sign that you are "getting it". How to take advantage of being able to see things and do the 'right' thing in your bouts lies in one thing: practice.

If we are going to go with the above categories, try to practice like the Technician so that when you are fencing you can be a Tactician. You should be able to tell yourself, "Self, my opponent seems to have a huge reactive parry to four... so I am going to perform a one-two ending in the high-outside line." - and then simply do it. Like any other martial art, fencing has drills (like kata or waza) which are designed to help the fencer see certain actions by their opponents and give an appropriate response. Ask your instructor to teach you conventional exercises up to 4 tempi (not just beat attack parry riposte or tac au tac drills) and false attack exercises up to as many intentions as you can handle. Then get others to drill these with you every practice. The higher conventional exercises should include footwork as well as bladework. If you do these religiously, focusing on perfectiing your execution of each action, then you will be much better set to see the openings and deal with them immediately when bouting.

[morael]

One axiom I heard a lot when I was starting out (not all that long ago) is "don't think." Good intentions aside, it's fairly idiotic to tell someone who's learning something not to think. But obviously in a hot bout you can't take time to analyze what's happening. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are, but am working on it. When I bout with people who are a bit slower and have broader moves, I use the "extra time" to think during the bout, and try out strategies or even practice basics. (This has a side benefit of making bouting with beginners interesting and constructive.) Then for faster opponents I try to give up thinking and trust to instilled reactions. In our club we also talk to each other between touches, getting advice from onlookers and each other, so the analysis can take place very close to the fencing but doesn't interfere, and we can try to correct whatever is wrong.

[glowstix]

I know that no fencer fits 100% into these categories. I'm just interested in what category fencers would lump themselves into. If you think that your a 20/20/20/20 pick the one you would like to be...

I'm sure that there are many different labels that would each work as well or better in this case.

Did I leave out any pertinent disclaimers?

Naturists - May or may not go to club regularly, depends on the input of others in a non-coaching situation. Tends to watch closely at meets and picks up new moves through observation. Unconventional fencer with plenty of "tricks" up his sleeve

Athlete - Most physical endeavors come easy. Picks up new skills quicker than average. Relies on speed and fast reactions to stay a step ahead of the opponent.

Tactician - Doesn't seem to move all that fast, until it's too late for you. Constant recon allows this fencer to manipulate their opponents like little puppets on strings. First intention? What's that? The point is only worthy if it is preceded by subterfuge and misinformation.

Technician - Textbook footwork, textbook bladework. Should be on a fencing instruction video somewhere. Clean, crisp, clear motions. A lunge to die for (or from). Everybody has fenced one and left envious.

shouldn't that be 25/25/25/25 adding up to 100% ??? anyway, i'm probably a 0/60/10/30 and i'm satisfied with this. i think i pick things up fast sometimes and i have gotten away with a lot just by being a better athlete than the other guy..thats how i beat fencers superior to me. faster fleche, faster retreats, faster jumps, etc... as a consequence of relying too much on my athleticism, i waste too much energy. because of this, i'd prefer to be more of a tactician. so something along the lines of 0/35/45/20 would be ideal for me.

[Inquartata]

Sabre fencer. ( We are in a category all our own, of course. )