07-18-2005, 11:58 PM
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#1 | | Member
Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 64
| My first class...
Yeah, soooo... I'm going to my first fencing class tomorrow. Anyone have any tips for the new guy? 
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In the time of chimpanzees
I was a monkey
Baldrick, does it have to be this way? Our valued friendship ending with me cutting you up into strips and telling the prince that you walked over a very sharp cattle grid in an extremely heavy hat?
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|  | | And now for this message... |
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07-19-2005, 12:12 AM
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#2 | | Boom!
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada
Posts: 5,925
| Firstly, welcome to the forum!
Heh... based on my first class, I'd say:
- Relax
- Remember that the fencing gear will protect you
- Forget everything you saw in pirate/ninja/knight movies
- Talk to your coach - don't be afraid to ask questions
- Enjoy yourself!
... and most importantly...
- Have a hot bath or hot water bottle ready when you get home, unless you're not planning on moving around for the next two days...
Good luck, and let us know how it went, eh?
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Pound for pound, the amoeba is the most vicious animal on earth. | |
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07-19-2005, 12:18 AM
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#3 | | Member
Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 64
| Sure thing. I've taken martial arts and I was taking tumbling classes a little while ago, so it shouldn't be too painful. I hope...
__________________
In the time of chimpanzees
I was a monkey
Baldrick, does it have to be this way? Our valued friendship ending with me cutting you up into strips and telling the prince that you walked over a very sharp cattle grid in an extremely heavy hat?
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07-19-2005, 12:26 AM
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#4 | | Boom!
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada
Posts: 5,925
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by cheesethief Sure thing. I've taken martial arts and I was taking tumbling classes a little while ago, so it shouldn't be too painful. I hope... | Ah, well then... you should be fine.
I was speaking as a fat guy who couldn't touch his toes.
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Pound for pound, the amoeba is the most vicious animal on earth. | |
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07-19-2005, 12:52 AM
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#5 | | Friend of Fencing
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Being helpful in Breeland
Posts: 863
| Show up a little early. Walk around the place and get used to the surroundings. Let your body loosen up, warm up lightly and stretch. Talk to folks and get to know them.
Pay attention to your instructor and do what he/she says.
Always keep an eye on advanced fencers (without losing focus on your class) if they are practicing somewhere else in the club space. You are going to be one of them in the future, and perhaps even surpass them. What they are doing is an eventual product of the training you are receiving at the moment.
Get off the internet and get some sleep. | |
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07-19-2005, 12:57 AM
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#6 | | Member
Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 64
| Thanks.
__________________
In the time of chimpanzees
I was a monkey
Baldrick, does it have to be this way? Our valued friendship ending with me cutting you up into strips and telling the prince that you walked over a very sharp cattle grid in an extremely heavy hat?
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07-19-2005, 01:14 AM
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,216
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by ThatReallyHurt Ah, well then... you should be fine.
I was speaking as a fat guy who couldn't touch his toes. |
Im a 6'1" stick and I can barely do it either. However, without fencing I wouldn't be able to do it. I can do it on 1 leg at the moment...a month or two ago I could do both. Sigh.
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I am he
The bornless one
The fallen angel watching you.. | |
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07-19-2005, 03:44 AM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: GREECE/Piraeus
Posts: 1,310
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by cheesethief Yeah, soooo... I'm going to my first fencing class tomorrow. Anyone have any tips for the new guy? | Wellcome to the forum and to the sport.
I wish you luck for your first class.
Now some advices:
Listen what your coach said to you. Always he is right.
Get the advises of the old fencers of the club.
CU
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The purpose of tactic is to conquer the enemy with proper war movements and actions.
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07-19-2005, 03:57 AM
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#9 | | Épéeist Hive Queen
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sweden
Posts: 12,754
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by cheesethief Yeah, soooo... I'm going to my first fencing class tomorrow. Anyone have any tips for the new guy? | A new fencer, great -- welcome!
Tips for beginners you say? 
Well, always remember to never look more experienced fencers than yourself in the eyes, and make sure their water bottles are always filled with fresh, cold water!
I'm just joking of course. 
Pay attention to what the coach says and remember fencing isn't what it looks like in pirate movies. Most important though -- have fun!
Please post back and tell us how you did. We all hope you'll stick (ha ha) with the sport!
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Fencing is my only PvP. | |
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07-19-2005, 06:51 AM
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#10 | | Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 10,174
| Have fun, be relaxed, and come back for the second class.
Unless your coach/salle sucks, in which case go to a different one.  | 
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07-19-2005, 01:39 PM
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#11 | | Member
Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 64
| This is the place I'm going to: Boston Fencing Club
On their "About Us" page, it says that it is the oldest fencing club in ths US. Anyone know anything about any of the coaches?
__________________
In the time of chimpanzees
I was a monkey
Baldrick, does it have to be this way? Our valued friendship ending with me cutting you up into strips and telling the prince that you walked over a very sharp cattle grid in an extremely heavy hat?
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07-19-2005, 02:14 PM
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#12 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 1,207
| Sorry, I don't know anything about the Boston club. However, I would like to suggest that you do not expect too much at first. You will probably spend your first couple classes just learning how to do the footwork and hold the foil. It is much more difficult than it looks. I know for about the first three months I generally left class feeling like I couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time.  Of course I am a slow learner and you will probably get through that stage much quicker. Anyway, just stick with it and have fun.
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Fail until you succeed!
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Disgruntled Employee of the Month.
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07-19-2005, 02:16 PM
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#13 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,117
| Advise? Most of what I'd say has been said already...
Other than that I'd add
-- Stretch before your lesson! Stretch your thighs, legs, etc -- don't bounce them, but get them warm and the muscles exercised to their full range of motion. A couple of weeks ago when I got to my lesson while running late, I could really feel the difference the next day as I hadn't time to stretch before working out.
-- Practice at home. Footwork in particular. If you have a full length mirror, it's a good way to check your form. | |
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07-19-2005, 02:26 PM
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#14 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,545
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by cheesethief This is the place I'm going to: Boston Fencing Club
On their "About Us" page, it says that it is the oldest fencing club in ths US. Anyone know anything about any of the coaches? | yeah, boston fencing club IS a good club, and the coaches are certainly respectable. I suggest keeping your ears open.
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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. And from this side only! The flight of a half-man, half-bird. Dinosaurs nuzzling their young in pastures where strip malls should be. Cookies on dowels. All those moment, lost in time. Gone, like eggs off a hooker's stomach. Time to die" -Phil Ken Sebben
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07-19-2005, 03:39 PM
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#15 | | Just Joined
Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mallorca (Spain)
Posts: 11
| Some people say that if you don't leave fencing in your first three months you'll never leave it, so be patient in your first lessons and have fun! | |
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07-19-2005, 04:38 PM
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#16 | | Epee fencing addict
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Glenwood, ny
Posts: 2,300
| Keep your front foot straight.
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I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was. - Toby Keith
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo | |
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07-19-2005, 04:47 PM
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#17 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Carolina über Alles
Posts: 2,608
| Arm First!!
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07-19-2005, 05:46 PM
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#18 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 355
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by cheesethief This is the place I'm going to: Boston Fencing Club
Anyone know anything about any of the coaches? | Yes.......
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07-19-2005, 06:13 PM
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#19 | | Member
Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 64
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by GGK Yes....... | And........
__________________
In the time of chimpanzees
I was a monkey
Baldrick, does it have to be this way? Our valued friendship ending with me cutting you up into strips and telling the prince that you walked over a very sharp cattle grid in an extremely heavy hat?
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07-19-2005, 06:16 PM
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#20 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Haydenville, MA
Posts: 1,576
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by cheesethief And........ | There are many people on this board who know much of the Boston Fencing Club, as it is a large club with a strong reputation. Perhaps if you asked specific questions people could provide you with answers, but it is quite difficult to provide a response for a vague request of information.
So, specifically, what do you want to know? | |
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