Out of the salle practice

[ledgerto]

I realize that working alone is difficult but what can I do at home to build my speed and coordination? Coach says I have good moves but I have to get faster.

I have used some of the drills from this site with Savage Garden and hung a poor tennis ball on a string (it doesn't stand a chance!) Getting my daughter and husband to stand still for target practice has been difficult.

What do you mavens suggest?

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Old dogs CAN learn new tricks!

[d8m2k]

Depends on what you mean by faster.
Legs?
Handwork?
Reaction time?

Speed comes from many things, and one sure-fire way to make things faster is economy of motion in your technique.

Then comes building speed, which involves building muscle...
That means working out, doing speed training drills, and weights.

So, for specific drills, you should specify the area you want to speed up. And also be realistic about the effort you are willing to put in.

[ledgerto]

My hand moves are pretty good. It's the leg work and response time that are needy.

I have recently started with the weights and resistence training on the legs.

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Old dogs CAN learn new tricks!

[gesk]

d8m2k
What would you suggest to build up handwork and reaction time ?

-Gesk

[Mergs]

If you can spare the money (about US$100), there is a device that has been on the market for a little over a year that gives you a light and measures the reaction time it takes for you to hit the pad. There is a larger one with four targets, random pattern, etc for about US$500, too.

[space_cadet]

Savage Garden?

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Cadet à Space

[ledgerto]

Savage Garden is a rock group...listening to the beat and rhythm helps me move faster and and get a pattern going while I practice with shadow fencing, foot drills, or tennis ball bashing.

[ledgerto]

Mergs, thats sound like a good idea...but I'll have to ask Santa Claus about that one.

[swordsen]

run sprints. 40 yard dashes. You have to build up the short muscle fibers in your legs.
But be sure to warm up well first or you will pull muscles.

[d8m2k]

Sprints are great for building speed, but make sure you are in good physical condition before you start. Trying to do them when not in shape can cause injury.

Gesk,

Sorry I did not respond sooner, I did not notice the post. To build up hand speed, first thing is technique. The more economical, and efficient your actions are the quicker you actions will be. This requires a lot of effort, and your fingers will tire out fast.
Also weight training. The stronger your arm (body) is, the longer you can maintain good technique. In the final bout, when your opponent is tired, and the actions are big, if you can still perform small, efficient movements, you have a great advantage.

After you feel you strong enough, you can start hand speed drills. A variety exist, but before you do make sure you arm is strong enough. You can't build speed without a strong foundation.

[gesk]

Thanks d8m2k. I am currently building my legs up. But am keen on hand drills. Can you recommend some.

-Gesk

[Chris]

Originally posted by ledgerto:
My hand moves are pretty good. It's the leg work and response time that are needy.

I have recently started with the weights and resistence training on the legs.

Dave, I have seen you fence; your legs seem probably strong enough, though I don't know about your endurance.

From what I have seen, and what you are saying, it is not strength, but nimbleness you are after; I recommend two exercises;
As a certifiable klutz, I have benefited from this.

A. the foot pivot; standing normally, move sideways by pivoting heel/toe; this may be done first with feet staying (roughly) parallel, then with feet out of synchronization. don't do this TOO fast.

B. Stutter steps, (en garde) slowly, at first, moving forward and backwards. go only so fast that you can do this for 3 sets for a full minute, and NOT have legs get all tight on you. Do after warm up, and again before you are wrapping up your seesion: fence again after second series.

Also, it critical that you move; not just stand there; it helps with the circulation, and helps NOT tense up; more importantly, the muscles you are intersted in developing CONTROL of are NOT the quadriceps, the hip abductors, and adductors, (the muscles that make your thighs separate, and close together), as well as the calf muscles that wll give you better control of what your feet do at the ends of your legs.

If this doesn't make sense, look for me at the Remenyik next fall, I will try to explain it better.

If you are really serious, you could always track down a tap dance instructor!

See You araound!