problem with coaches

[fencingfoolfour]

i ahve a problem with coaches

i have the best coach in the area.....but still dont understand one thing.......whenever i am taking the blade on him he gives it to me, keeping a solft hold on it.......but abviously when i actually fence, people fight me ,,,, and i end up losing the blade. How am i to elarn to take the blade when my instuctor gives it to me??....please help!!

[attila]

Hey man, The guy can only do so much. Theory is good and all ,but the proof is in the pudding. Take the lesson and apply it as best you can. The other stuff is up to you. Your opponent isn't supposed to help you hit him. So if he fights you on your take , well then fight back to KEEP control, and still hit him.

[space_cadet]

It's a drill so you get the movements ingrained in your head. All lessons are like that.

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[d8m2k]

All lessons are like that.

[/b]

All lessons are not like that. I have had several coaches illustrate an error in my technique by pushing through my deficient parry and hitting me. And it is the coaches responsibility to prepare a student for bouting. However, the coach in question may feel there are more important areas of your fencing that need work.

[space_cadet]

To d8m2k,
Right, not all lessons are like that. I guess what I meant to say was coaches don't fence you during lessons like your opponent does on the strip. The tempo and overall style is such that you are working on getting the moves that are being taught.

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[d8m2k]

fencingfool4:

Just to remind you, if you take the blade correctly, your opponent should have a trouble fighting back. Taking the blade is about leverage. Strength helps, but leverage is the key.
So if somebody is able to fight back, either you executed the take incorrectly, or they possess superhuman strength. A combination of the two is possible.

[Porphyre]

FencingFoolFour: Simple problem, simple answer. TALK to your coach. Tell him exactly what you told us. d8m2k also has a good idea. Maybe the coach sees something you're not. But just talk to your coach. If he's as good as you say, he'll explain why he's doing whatever he's doing. If he's just like 'This is the way I teach, you must learn,' find another coach, even if this guy is the 'best'.

[Ludvig-Team Russia]

It's often like when you a not prof. fencer.Just listen the instructor better and do what he tell u.Coach don't give a bsd lesson, because all is for u.

[space_cadet]

Shla-ba-doo, flee-zum fla-zum floo-zum.

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[Pinky]

If you try to take the blade and your opponent fights you, disengage. Your coach is trying to teach you the move. The move becomes reality on the strip...and in my experience, works only on a suprised fencer.
There is nothing wrong with your coach. Ask him to fight you next time when you work on this move so you can practice what to do in a bout situation.
Please don't give other fencers in this chat room a hard time because they can't spell...I don't have a spellchecker, either. And using "code" is how my daughter talks to her friends on line, like this, u gyz, so she can type fast and not hav to stop to see if she has spelled a word rite. Such freedom!

[Mr_Jones]

Fencing Fool Four,

Your coach's responsibility is to teach you the basis of the movements and refine your technique. Your responsibility is to think and act appropriately, using what your coach has tried to teach you.

Just from listening to your complaint, I think you have two problems with your fencing thus far--I might be wrong, but take a step back and look with 'new eyes' before you condemn my suggestions.

1. Holding the blade softly, as your coach suggests, is to let you know when your blade is in contact with your opponents. What you describe is your inability to act properly. Try using one of the suggestions below:

a. When you feel the pressure of the opponents blade, disengage and lunge.

b. Advance into short distance and catch their blade with the strong and guard of yours, then lunge with opposition.

Note: treat your opponent like a puppet. Your blade is the string on which your puppet hangs. By applying pressure, or denying pressure, you can toy with the best.

2. It sounds to me like you're fencing mostly beginners. Being a beginner yourself, this is to be expected, but very very bad for your progress. Stretch yourself, and fence the best fencers in your club. Fence everyone who will fence you.

Beginners are often heavy handed. Don't let yourself learn bad technique from bad fencers.

To whoever suggested Fencingfoolfour quit fencing, you have earned my contempt. That kind of attitude is exactly why fencing is seen as elitist in the U.S. I suggest you refrain from sticking your foot in your... ahem... again.

Mr. Jones