First Lesson

[Rolls]

Theory? How to referee? Tactics? General fitness? How to eat properly?

There are plenty of things that go into being a good competitive fencer, apart from bladework.

As for doing both at the same time -- that's good too, but sometimes it helps to concentrate on one thing at a time.

Yea, but these aren't things that you could teach before teaching any bladework. How do you teach refereeing without teaching what a parry is first? Well, you could teach just general fitness and proper eating for a month but that wouldn't really be a fencing class, now would it.

I'm not saying you shouldn't practice footwork/bladework or anything by themselves. I just don't think there is any benefit to the age old rule that you should wait some specified amount of time (usually as long as possible) before learing more (usually anything beyond footwork). Really, it seems like it should be indivdualized to each student.

Rolls.

[Rolls]

In my opinion, good footwork is a prerequisite for good bladework. If you cant get into and out of distance, to prepare yourself to make a nice attack or defense or counter, then your bladework will always be sub-par. I came across an interesting excercise at a tournament. Fence without moving your feet. You cant move your feet at all, but your opponent can. Now try to fight him off..... its very, very, very difficult. Try it.

I would have to say that you're wrong. If footwork were a prerequisite to bladework, there could not be wheelchair fencing. Maybe that's an extreme case, but I do think most people teach on guard, advance and retreat first (as a prerequisite). That doesn't mean that you have to spend a year on that beofre teaching parries 4 and 6.

As for the drill where you fence someone without being able to move. Yes, it would be difficult. Mainly because footwork is the main avenue for delivering attacks. However, there are plenty of reasonible drills that limit the footwork involved to put emphasis on other factors. The "glove game" comes to mind.

Rolls.

[kalivor]

Yea, but these aren't things that you could teach before teaching any bladework. How do you teach refereeing without teaching what a parry is first? Well, you could teach just general fitness and proper eating for a month but that wouldn't really be a fencing class, now would it.

True, but I thought we had moved on to discussing things post-bouting, at which point the basics have usually been taught.

I'm not saying you shouldn't practice footwork/bladework or anything by themselves. I just don't think there is any benefit to the age old rule that you should wait some specified amount of time (usually as long as possible) before learing more (usually anything beyond footwork). Really, it seems like it should be indivdualized to each student.

I agree, though I'm not sure it should go as far as being individualized to each student ... generally speaking, that would be hard in a larger class, of (say) more than two. Better that the coach uses a system they feel works.

[raymac]

First off, congratulations on picking a proper weapon

hes switching to foil?

[Rolls]

True, but I thought we had moved on to discussing things post-bouting, at which point the basics have usually been taught.

Nah, I was just trying to debunk what I consider a myth. The longer you wiat to "fence/bout" the better you will be because of it. So, I guess we might have been talking about two different things.

I agree, though I'm not sure it should go as far as being individualized to each student ... generally speaking, that would be hard in a larger class, of (say) more than two. Better that the coach uses a system they feel works.

You're right, but I think some system were there are different level classes and you move individuals to different levels as need be. Instead of what sometimes happens, where an entire group progresses together.

Rolls.

[raymac]

I would have to say that you're wrong. If footwork were a prerequisite to bladework, there could not be wheelchair fencing.

In wheelchair fencing it would be the equivalent of learning to roll before you fence. I think what hes saying is you should learn to move well before incorporating other elements into your game.

[kalivor]

In wheelchair fencing it would be the equivalent of learning to roll before you fence. I think what hes saying is you should learn to move well before incorporating other elements into your game.

Wheelchair fencers don't roll. There isn't really an equivalent for wheelchair fencing.

That said, wheelchair fencers don't have to move in order to make an attack, other than their upper body + a lean.

[whtouche]

The easiest way to impress a coach is not with knowledge or natural talent or anything like that. The easiest way to impress a coach is to be willing/eager to learn, polite, and interested.

[raymac]

Wheelchair fencers don't roll. There isn't really an equivalent for wheelchair fencing.

That said, wheelchair fencers don't have to move in order to make an attack, other than their upper body + a lean.

they start within hitting distance? i figured they would roll and have the weapon under their arm.

[miyamoto]

I've found the easiest way to impress a coach requires three things.

1) Show up consistently
2) Put in effort above and beyond what is asked for

And most important:

3) Pay upfront

[cameroncrazy323]

hes switching to foil?

I think im too big for foil...I'm 6'2", 190lbs, broad shoulders, and long arms. From what I have read I have picked the proper weapon (in more ways than one)...epee.

[miyamoto]

hes switching to foil?

I think im too big for foil...I'm 6'2", 190lbs, broad shoulders, and long arms. From what I have read I have picked the proper weapon (in more ways than one)...epee.

There aren't height/weight requirements for fencing. In fact, many top foilists are your height or taller:

Bissdorf (GER)
Guyart (FRA)
Ferrari (FRA)

In fact, your probably considered short for epee:

F. Jeannet (FRA)
Fischer (SUI)
Rota (ITA)

But really, your body type doesn't determine your weapon. What you love to do, and your natural inclinations do.

[LUDICROUS]

Tall epeeists

Im about 5"10 or so, 16 year old foilist.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Damn, Jeannet is tall...... he started when he was 4

[cameroncrazy323]

This sport is soo freaking awesome. I had such a great time and learned very fast. I need to improve my footwork and point control, but my coaches said I did excellent. I did have to fence this lefty and I'm a righty...it kind of confused me when I was parrying, but that could have been because I had been fencing for 2 hours and was tired. God I'm glad I chose to do this!