too late?

[SavageStalker]

Hello, im interested in fencing, but, since the best ones start practicing sports at childhood, i dont know if 15 years is too late for starting practicing fencing. So what do u think?

[melihop]

That should just fine! You can still kick butt! Welcome the the sport!!!1 just get out there and stab people!

[JEC]

There are outstanding fencers who started on their 40s. I personally know two of them who are now As. At 15, you should be fine.

[mrbiggs]

15 is nearly young for fencing. Fencing is taught at ages older than other sports because of the control, finesse, and responsibility it requires. There was a poll done a few months ago on what age the fencers on this board started fencing at, and 15-16 was the most common.

15 is also common because many people first learn to fence in high school.



In summary, 15 isn't young at all for fencing.

[SavageStalker]

:O i didnt know cuz friend of mine started at 11 xD thanks ill sign up for fencing classes ASAP

[SavageStalker]

hey guys, what excercises can i do, u know like running, to b eprepared for fencing u know i havent practiced sports since long ago so i need to get a good physical state if i want to progress

[JEC]

At 15, unless you have been a video game coach potatoe, some general conditioning is enough. The best cross training for fencing is fencing. Older guys need to stretch before fencing and do some mild to moderate conditioning.

[sabre-swo]

15 years old too late? Wow, that's just crazy talk. I got into fencing by accident when I went to college at the age of 18. Loved it from the first day and it just got better and better. I was no superstar, but finishing consistently in the top 8 for regional collegiate tournaments as rewarding pay off. I'd say that fencing is one of the few sports you CAN start after your teens and still be good at it.

How many college basketball stars begin when they start playing the game at 15? - not many. Tennis? Golf- maybe. The thing to remember is that Fencing is a bit obscure (though I'm sure many members of this post are trying to encourage it more in many different age groups) and so MANY people are finding it when they go to college or move to a different city, or maybe see a demo in a park one day. The fact that you've found fencing, even as an idea, at 15 is a jump on much of the fencing community.


The thing to remember is that you'll only become "good" by loving the sport. People who have a natural ability (speed, reflex, posture....whatever) will certainly impress, but they aren't going put what it takes (say 5 nights a week) to get better, because they aren't excited about it.

If fencing does become something you get pumped about, then being "really good" isn't going to matter as much as what's going on the strip right now. Getting better is often more fun that being good. Its fun to figure out how to fix that one thing you just messed up. Its a rush to get one (intended) action to work against an opponent that is much better than you are. Sure you might lose 15-4 against an ex-Olympian, but did you just make a faint lunge pary-reposte work? WOW, that's awesome! And against someone that's an A, or ranked, or bigger, or older, or younger, etc etc etc. There is joy and excitement in all of this.

Fencing is a sport that because of the competition structures and the make-up of clubs, you'll sometimes be on the losing end of the experience spectrum. But loving the sport and what those moments can teach you make it so worthwhile. I think that's important to remember as you decide whether to get into fencing (or any sport for that matter).

15's not to old at all. I look forward to you kickin my butt in a few years

sabre-swo

[SavageStalker]

thanks, now that i think about it, yeah its crazy talk. im going to practice fencing!

[Fencergrl]

No, 15 is too early... you'll get beaten by 40 & 50 year olds!

[Zesty]

Get fencing, 15 is not too early. I only started a couple of years ago (I'm 16 now) but at my club there is a 12 (I think) year old fencing. The age is higher as stated because of the extra responsibility required. You'll get to know that this is a brilliant fountainof knowledge for all things fencing related and some other random things too.

Have fun!

[SavageStalker]

now, whats the easiest weapon for starters?
and any tips 4 me?

[Aestro]

Originally Posted by SavageStalker

now, whats the easiest weapon for starters?
and any tips 4 me?

easiest weapon is debatable, but by and large foil is the prevailing standard for beginners. I have found both rules and concepts tend to transfer into the other two weapons much better than from epee or sabre to another. Of course, some clubs fence one weapon exclusively or at the very least much more heavily than the other two, so it really depends on atmosphere.

Most tips on fencing you'll learn as you go along - the main thing we can tell you is to attend practice consistently if you want to get better, and not to take corrections upon form as personal attacks. I have met fencers (even beginners) who get mad or embarrassed whenever someone tells them to slow down or to repeat an action. Take things easy, and do them until it's right. It's not a contest to see who can learn the fastest, it's a contest to see who can fence the best once they are done learning.

Oh, and it's not a bad idea to read up on the rules. USFA.org has the rulebook available for download. Rudy Volkmann's Magnum Libre d'escrime, or Big Book of Fencing is also a terrific learner's manual with plenty of explanations and illustrations.

[VELISARIOS]

Originally Posted by SavageStalker

Hello, im interested in fencing, but, since the best ones start practicing sports at childhood, i dont know if 15 years is too late for starting practicing fencing. So what do u think?

Too late? Look my friend I startes fencing at 28, so start fencing!

[ThatReallyHurt]

Originally Posted by VELISARIOS

Too late? Look my friend I startes fencing at 28, so start fencing!

Hear, hear! The best time to start fencing is when you, er... start fencing!