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Jessica · 07-09-2005, 02:24 AM

Hi all-

I started fencing when I was 10. When I was about 14, I switched to SCA rapier. However a year after that, I had to stop because of an injury. Its now another year later, and one of my best friends asked me to start fencing again, because she wants to try, but doesn't want to go by her self.

So anyway, while I think my ankle will be fine, I have a couple concerns / questions.
-Should I continue to wear a brace on my ankle for a while? Or, how can I avoide a reinjury?
-Any ideas about how to fit back into the group? I'm sure there will still be some people there from when I had to leave...
-While everyone is different, about how hard will it be to start again? Or should muscle come into play?

Thanks for your help.

Jessica

ReverseLunge · 07-09-2005, 03:00 AM

Why would you want to go from something as cool and powerful as SCA Rapier back to just regular fencing?

KD5MDK · 07-09-2005, 05:15 AM

I would recommend wearing the brace. There's nothing sadder (or funnier, depending on the day) than a 22 year old with more braces and joint problems than my grandpa.

How was your ankle injured? Was it your dominate or non-dominate ankle? Do your roll your foot when lunging? Are you intending to take up sabre and flunge? There's a lot that goes into this...

Jessica · 07-09-2005, 02:23 PM

I'm going back to "regular fencing" cause all the rapier fencers that I know of live 2+ hours away...

It was never really determined how I injured my ankles (left worse than right). I don't think my ankle rolls when I lunge. And, I would love to fence sabre again.

Oh and by the way, I'm still 16...

~Jessica

broncofencer · 07-09-2005, 02:28 PM

Wear the brace get high top shoes and take it slow. You'll have lost a little but it will come back in time build yourself back into the sport and remember that you took over a year off when you don't fence as well as you once did.

KD5MDK · 07-09-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Oh and by the way, I'm still 16...

Yes, but my friend Josh isn't, and his joints are as bad as my grandpa's. Or pretty close.

Araznal · 07-09-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

Yes, but my friend Josh isn't, and his joints are as bad as my grandpa's. Or pretty close.

That doesn't come close to me. I've got worse stuff than people four times my age. I've had serious back, hamstring, shoulder, hand, and wrist injuries along with so many aches and pains. It's better now, but... well read my profile.

As for you, Jessica, I suggest you go back to fencing as if you're completely new so you can re-learn the basics slowly. This will also be easier on your ankles. How hard will it be? Well, that depends on how good you were before, but you will feel really bad at first (in terms of working out). How fast you get back to 100% depends on how in shape you are and how your muscle memory is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica

Oh and by the way, I'm still 16...

When I pulled my back, I was 15.... and 16. I kept fencing with it, though, idiot that I was, and instead of healing in 6-8 weeks, it took a year and a half.

I know a lot of people who have to wear crazy braces and they're younger than you. Ankles are serious, don't break them.

noodle · 07-09-2005, 08:53 PM

1) wear braces on your ankles. concentrate on proper footwork. you don't need to always be sprinting in sabre -- explosive actions are preferred over constantly high top speed.
2) i dunno, this is a social situation. just be friendly and such. no reason why you can't
3) not that tough, provided you don't reinjure yourself.

Jessica · 07-09-2005, 09:12 PM

Thanks so much for all the advice and info. I hope to start again in August. (And I can't wait!)

~Jessica

Schiavona · 07-09-2005, 11:16 PM

If the SCA in your area is like the SCA in my area, expect to get hit harder in "regular fencing"

KD5MDK · 07-10-2005, 12:51 AM

Why wait? Start on Monday!

Alain · 07-11-2005, 10:38 AM

-Any ideas about how to fit back into the group? I'm sure there will still be some people there from when I had to leave...
-While everyone is different, about how hard will it be to start again? Or should muscle come into play?

Thanks for your help.

Jessica[/quote]
Hi Jessica,

Welcome back to the sport! I'd recommend that you keep wearing a brace for your ankle. To avoid injuring it again, it might be worth going to see a proper sports physio or something and ask for their advice - otherwise, just make sure that you warm-up/cool-down and stretch properly and regularly, and if it hurts then STOP!

As for the other stuff... just try and have fun! Take it slowly and keep practising as regularly as you can and feel comfortable with. Good luck

swordwench · 07-11-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schiavona

If the SCA in your area is like the SCA in my area, expect to get hit harder in "regular fencing"

With any luck, then, you're not in the East Kingdom! They really can't take a proper hit without whining.

Also - since when do they let anyone under 18 fence rapier? Oh, now I remember... the general SCA rule is 14 with permission, but in the East, you have to be 18... Because we have to be different.

Oh, and watch your footwork. If it starts to hurt, stop immediately and seek help! It'll take much longer to heal if you don't. Just ask my bum knee.

orrsword · 07-11-2005, 04:17 PM

Congratulations on going back. I'm considering it myself and I've suffered an ancle injury as well. Everyone's posts will be helpful to me too. I understand the awkwardness toward going back to an old club that you left. But
1) you won't be going alone, your friend will be going with you, and
2) everyone is right: as long as you're open and friendly I'm sure everone will be pretty accepting of you. Every club is different but I haven't seen a club that isn't open to new members or happy to see old members come back.