Flicking-Gender and weapon

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by rocky

Basically the last two — it's not worth flicking these days as anyone with half a brain will close distance, and then the flick wont register with these new boxes. Thus Dan, and a lot of other fencers, have switched to making slower, straight attacks as those actions still work.

Interesting, thank you.

[bmcfencer]

I was taught that flicks were evil, and so have never attempted one.....

[D'Artag-NOT]

Originally Posted by bmcfencer

I was taught that flicks were evil, and so have never attempted one.....

Et moi aussi.

I mostly use the word "flick" as an intensive, as in "I can't believe I blew that flickin' counterattack!"

[dilznik]

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheCat263

Are we all as good as Dan?

Actually I'm better than Dan... at guitar playing.

Anyway, I actually selected both "yes I flick" and "no I don't flick." If I'm using the old timings (it still happens around here since some German clubs absolutely refuse to change, and yet still hold tournaments) then I flick. If I'm the new timings and someone hunches over, I flick. If I'm fencing a lefty, I might throw a flick to the chest. If it's someone that overextends their lunge, they get a circular-6 flick riposte. And for God's sake, if I fence anyone wearing a man-plate, righty or lefty, I immediately flick to the balls every single time (well sometimes it's a fleche to the balls, or sometimes a pump fleche to the balls, or my favorite, a flick fleche to the balls) because the cheating loser deserves it and oh well... it's target. I don't care if I don't score a single time. I want to hurt that person, especially if their coach is there, and double especially if their family is there. If they're wearing a cup, I don't care. Nothing hurts worse than a point jammed under the side of a cup into the side of the jewels-sack. Have I made my point? I highly recommend anyone else to follow my lead.
Where was I? Oh yeah. I also selected no since in bog standard situations I don't flick anymore.

[CheekyCanuck]

I can flick, but I hurt my hand a while back so I haven't been flicking. Even before I hurt my hand, I generally didn't like to flick, it seems too much like a last-ditch-effort to me than a calculated or planned action.
When I say plan I mean I try to think ahead, try things on my opponent and observer her behavior so that I'll know what works. When I do a flick, it is usually because I'm in such a position or rather an awkward position where nothing else will work.
They may be affective, but like I said, it’s just a get-em’-or-be-gotten last-ditch-effort.

[Li'l Bebe]

Originally Posted by Araznal

I always liked the way Dan said that. I flick very rarely and most of them are chest flicks.

What I find most interesting is that flicking is predominantly a male action. I always noticed this, but never heard a good explanation for why. I've also noticed the same thing for the fleche, which I rarely see executed by most female fencers. If any women want to respond to this observation, it would be appreciated.

I don't know about other women, but as for me, I usually don't because flicking requires quite a bit of upper body strength, and to get a good flick, we have to "wind-up" more, therefore the flick is slower, and more easily avoided. As for fleche...I personally don't use it because I'm not fast enough. I guess women just aren't as aggressive as men, so they don't use it as much.

[dilznik]

I know a few women who fleche regularly. One of them is so fast that one second she's in front of you, the next she's behind you and there's one light on. I'm talking ninja fast.

[akaiyuki]

No I don't flick (female, foil). My old coach in high school never taught me (and refused to because he's against it) how to flick. And after I graduate, it's new timing! :P So... never bothered to learn it heh.

[telkanuru]

I flick occasionally, mostly to the outside flank after taking a parry-4. I do not tend to do real flicks to the wrist, but more of just using my thumb to 'push' the point on target. As I've said before, it's a tool, and it's better to have something and not use it than to not have it at all.

[CheekyCanuck]

Originally Posted by Li'l Bebe

I don't know about other women, but as for me, I usually don't because flicking requires quite a bit of upper body strength, and to get a good flick, we have to "wind-up" more, therefore the flick is slower, and more easily avoided. As for fleche...I personally don't use it because I'm not fast enough. I guess women just aren't as aggressive as men, so they don't use it as much.

Upper body strength?
No wonder you don't flick.
Not that I like flicking, but I don't find you need upper body strength at all.