Fencing Sabre as Epee.

[redcoat]

Have any other epeeists out there tried fencing sabre like epee since they changed the timing. Not exactly "effective," but against certain opponents you can really throw them off. Especially if they know you as an epeeist and anticipate you counter-attacking the arm with every one of their attacks.

[fencergal33]

Well....sort of. I got frustrated with saber right after they changed the timing last year, so I switched to fencing epee for a while. When I came back to saber a few months ago, I realized that learning epee had really helped me deal with the new timing. Now I do both.

[EpeeConvert]

I started in sabre and switched to epee so i still understand how to fence sabre correctly. but i do rely on counter attacks because its been engendered in my game a lot and it will really confuse the opponent also a lot of point in line that works against some and not so much against others.

[telkanuru]

...i still understand how to fence sabre correctly.

It's too bad you can't actually put that knowledge to use

[KD5MDK]

There was an epeeist at my club who used to enjoy fencing sabe like it was epee. I found that because he kept his blade extended and was rather vague on keeping ROW (despite being a decently highly rated epee director) that although he really took me apart the first few bouts I had against him, after that day I could pretty well deal with his style using beats and feints to control priority.

[rcmatthews]

A good sabreur should demolish an epee fencer fencing sabre.

[edew]

That's an interesting comment. Two (Div I) nationals ago, the NYAC saber team included noted epeeist (forgot the name...maybe not so noted? ). They fenced NYFC and he spanked the saber fencers pretty well in the bouts he fenced in. I watched it and thought it was great. He had this great timing move to get the opponent in and then pop to the wrist or forearm.

Of course, that was before the new timings, too.

[telkanuru]

A good sabreur should demolish an epee fencer fencing sabre.

Depends on the level of the epeeist. Definitely not at a medium level or above. Whtouche can tell you about the beatings he's recived at my hand

[redcoat]

The epee strategy in sabre only really dominates against slower people. I would die against someone fast and experienced. My head coach, for instance, cuts me to pieces. But I fenced one older gentleman, used to coach sabre too, and against him I was able to stress his attacks and make long lunging counter-attacks quite well. It made me feel as though I was fencing epee and the other guy didn't realize it. Course he was older than me so not too much glory in it, but still it was interesting.

Only thing is I tend to extend directly, straight from the arm, so that my arm and weapon form a straight line. Apparently in sabre you are supposed to make straight attacks with the weapon held at an angle. When I try to hold it right I just make a fool of myself.

Anyway, I think a good epee fencer should do well to try sabre. If a decent epee fencer can find ANY success fencing sabre like epee, imagine how he would do if he actually learned some proper sabre techniques! I see myself becoming very powerful once I am able to switch between sabre style and epee style within a bout.

[whtouche]

That's an interesting comment. Two (Div I) nationals ago, the NYAC saber team included noted epeeist (forgot the name...maybe not so noted? ). They fenced NYFC and he spanked the saber fencers pretty well in the bouts he fenced in. I watched it and thought it was great. He had this great timing move to get the opponent in and then pop to the wrist or forearm.

Of course, that was before the new timings, too.

Jon Normile.

[whtouche]

Anyway, I think a good epee fencer should do well to try sabre. If a decent epee fencer can find ANY success fencing sabre like epee, imagine how he would do if he actually learned some proper sabre techniques!

See also: Brad Baker.

[rcmatthews]

A good fencer is a good fencer, regardless of the weapon they fence. Basic tactics and sentiment du fer still carry over from weapon to weapon. What I should have said was that someone using epee tactics should not be able to lock out the attack of a good/speedy sabreur. My initial comment was perhaps a bit impetuous.

[EpeeConvert]

It's too bad you can't actually put that knowledge to use

i only said i understand, never said i could.

[Mr Epee]

...snip...sentiment du fer ...snip...

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

[rcmatthews]

Ha, I never thought of it that way before.