2 Clubs

[Balaestra]

Hi everyone!!
Sorry, you're probably really tired of my polls...

Is it really abnormal to fence at 2 clubs? Because, I have a really good coach that I'm very fond of who has that 'click' with me, so in our lessons there are no clashing personalities or anything, but, he is at the smallist club in my state, and there are almost no top fencers there cause it is so small. However, the biggest and best club (which is about 6 times the size) has all the top fencers and that's probably where I should be, the only issue is that I still REALLY want lessons with my other coach who has been currently teaching me very well (that's what everyone else says anyway). What do you think I should do?

[ThornOfTheBlood]

Go with what you feel is best, though if possible I would suggest trying to go to both.

[JackSparrow]

I fenced at three clubs at one point though I only go to two regularly now. I never had any problems with having more than one coach. I can't for example, ever remember having being given contradictory advice. I did keep my first club as my primary club though (its by my name in competition results etc), as a matter of loyalty, they taught me to fence there after all. I just can't get in the amount of training I want to do if I don't go to several clubs.

[Tiwaz]

There was a time when I fenced at 3 different clubs and had five different coaches ranging from a tiny local club up to a club that boasted many top Sabreurs so its not unusual to fence in more than one club and can be highly advantageous.

[LordTofuDog-jnr]

Go with Ernie, he's better.

[Dee EffEll]

My coach is at my club. But I train periodically at a different club nearby - more epee fencers there than at my club. But the Western Wasington Division has an "inter-club" deal - all the local clubs accept $25/mo floor fees from anyone who is a member of a different WWD club. Kinda nice, promotes more training and comeptition. I always feel welcome at the cross town place, too.

[PhineasGage]

Local club, coach, advanced fencers + regular classes for beginners/intermediates; university club, no coach, very informal, lots of swashing and buckling, but a nice workout nonetheless...

[MikeHarm]

I've done 5 different clubs, a different one every night of the week and going any tourney in state I was eligible to fence on saturday/sunday before.

I'll probably not be going on a heavy schedule like that till next season again though when my financial situation is better.

[ebonylevin]

I used to go to 2 clubs but now I've had to arrange my work around my fencing so I only have time to go to 1 club, which I am lucky is an excellent club.
As for you I would try to go to both clubs, go to the smaller ones for lessons and the larger ones for bouting and double-line work. Good luck.

[telkanuru]

When I am at school, I go to the college Club. When I am at home, I go to a private one (UMass Amherst and Prise de Fer, respectively). The more people you fence, the better you are!

[Epeecurean]

What do you think I should do?

I'd say continue to take lessons from your coach and go to the big club for bouting 1-2x a week. Good coaching and challenging bouts are both essential to get better.

[Irensaga]

Sure would be nice if we had more than one club in our area ...

[GGK]

I'd say continue to take lessons from your coach and go to the big club for bouting 1-2x a week. Good coaching and challenging bouts are both essential to get better.

I'd agree with this. And tell your coach what you are doing.

G

[hpfencing]

I agree, there should be no problems and no conflicts with you fecnign at as many clubs as you can. The more fencing you get (by different people who are coached differently) the better you can become.

Coaches often forget that the fencer is there to fence and learn to fence and start trying to make fnecers there property. Sometimes a break from one coach is a good thing. I say this as a coach and I know some coaches will dislike the statement but fencers need varied experinces in fencing, on and off the strip. Including coaching! I recommend my fencers go and try out the other clubs in our area.