Weapons Change

[Gary]

My apologies if this has been covered before.

To all coaches and instructors,
When do you allow, permit, encourage your fencers to go to other weapons? Do you have a set period where they have to train with foil or do you allow them to start right off with the sabre or epee if that is what they want to learn?

[attila]

HI
It is really easy. I just ask what weapon they would like to do. I figure it is their money ,so why not give them what they want. I prefer my students start with epee ( I am a foilist at heart). Simple actions with quick results. Hooks them into the game sooner or they get to try another weapon.

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"Kill the men, save the women, and by the gods, do not spill the wine"

[Peach]

My coach usually requires people to train with foil for a year before they choose another weapon.

[thebigriddle]

This is a tough question. I start one of my fencers on saber, with no foil or little foil experience. But I still believe in some tradition I guess. I would like a person to fence foil for at least a year, but this is no set rule, just opinion. If someone wants to learn another weapon go ahead. If keep the person interested in fencing.