Which would you prefer in Training???

[Zhi]

Much on FOOTWORK??? or........
Much on HANDWORK???


I'm glad to hear from you guys........

My coach always telling me to focus much on footwork because I'm a sabreux....

[OROD]

Much on FOOTWORK??? or........
Much on HANDWORK???


I'm glad to hear from you guys........

My coach always telling me to focus much on footwork because I'm a sabreux....

In foil, definitely footwork and distance.


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[Tiwaz]

In foil, definitely footwork and distance.


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Footwork should be drilled to the same extent in all weapons the basis of good fencing is good footwork. I once coached at a club where the lead foil coach ,when giving an individual lesson, would present his pupil with a series of sucessive parries which they would have to decieve and hit with only an extension there was no footwork at all. Consequently this guys foilists could decieve a set of complex parries but had no idea how to set up the attack with footwork or get their point on to the target from anything other than close distance.

[acaba]

I prefer to teach both of them together. You need to have the hand and feet working in concert to bring the point/edge to the target at the right time. Someone with fast feet can escape, but will not be able to hit because the had is in the wrong place. Someone with only good bladework will not be able to hit because they can't get their body into the proper distance to let the hand do the work.

When I'm teaching a new bladework action, I will start with the student standing still, and go thorugh 3-5 repetitions so they get the feel of it. Then I will immediately add movement so the student gets the feel of the proper distance and tempo for the given bladework.

Once without the other doesn't work so well.

Zhi, since I do not know your particular situation, it may be you need more practice on footwork that bladework, that is up to your coach.

[Nusy]

On weekdays footwork, tons of footwork, and long lessons combining both.
Before comps a bit of footwork and a lesson more for bladework and fast lunges.

[Amadeus]

your coach is correct in that sabre has more of an emphasis on footwork than foil or epee.

but one cannot be a good fencer being good at only bladework or footwork. fencing skills are a combination of the two. so spend alot of time on footwork, but don't forget bladework, either.

[Mihail]

I find the footwork game much more fun. To me, there is so much more depth to be found in exploring the rhythm, size, and components of a step than there is to bladework. And I think that shows; blade actions of today are virtually the same as those of the olden day of fencing (the main difference is probably that they are not as exaggerated because of electric), while the footwork is drastically different. In fact, the footwork today is different than it was 5 years ago. It's because there are always things to be discovered when playing with distance and timing, while parries and beats will remain (more or less) static.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

footwork, because I've seen fencers do awesome with ****ty bladework and awesome footwork.

[akaiyuki]

I "perfer" footwork :P
But I seriously need to get a lot more blade work training/drills in *__*

[Alain]

Much on FOOTWORK??? or........
Much on HANDWORK???


I'm glad to hear from you guys........

My coach always telling me to focus much on footwork because I'm a sabreux....

Um... both?! One is useless without the other: a good fencer can rely on particularly good foot- or bladework; a great fencer won't have to

[mrbiggs]

There was a very extensive thread on this subject a while ago, but I can't find it. One of the update threads mentioned that not all the threads are still in the database, so that might explain it.

[Mihail]

There was a very extensive thread on this subject a while ago, but I can't find it. One of the update threads mentioned that not all the threads are still in the database, so that might explain it.

Was it http://www.fencing.net/forums/fencin...on/t17812.html ?