Getting rid of Novice tendecies.

[John Nguyen]

Hello all.

Recently, I've been takin alot of pointers from the more experienced fencers in my club, and they have seemed to help me out ALOT.

Can anyone tell me of some Novice Mistakes, technique, that can be avoided. And if so, can you give suggestions as to how to improve to becoming a "real fencer"

Thanks

[edew]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by John Nguyen:
<strong>Hello all.

Recently, I've been takin alot of pointers from the more experienced fencers in my club, and they have seemed to help me out ALOT.

Can anyone tell me of some Novice Mistakes, technique, that can be avoided. And if so, can you give suggestions as to how to improve to becoming a "real fencer"

Thanks</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Here's another pointer: "A LOT" is two words; not "ALOT".

What weapon do you fence?

[counter riposte]

Two words:

FOOT WORK

Before fencing, try some of the footwork conditioning drills posted on this site under training. Don't spend a mere three strips doing it. Work at it. Blade work is no doubt important, but if the other person can close out distance faster, your movement will seem as slow as a pregnant yak during mating season.

Distance control also allows you to see what is happening, and more time to respond to the attack so you CAN riposte, rather than closing out distance, locking blades.

Remember, and place this somewhere conspicuous.

footwork, FootWork, FOOTWORK!

[MattyCam]

Nice EDEW.

Here are a couple things I always recommend to new fencers.

1: Only move your weapon when taking the blade-either when attacking or defending. Don't be one of those guys out there just waving it around and looking sloppy. You can change lines fine, but don't look like an *** .

2: Your first line of defense is always distance. Try parrying with distance more than just with the blade. When you're doing footwork, make sure when you retreat it is 1.5 or 2 times the distance you would take if you were advancing. Whe you do it fast, you'll fly back and out of reach. That's key because when you start your attack it is at the end of a long attack from your opponent. If their foot work sucks, then you can do simple attacks and they'll panic and you'll hit all day.

3: Watch people fence. See what they're good at. try and do it. At NACs, what the good guys take lessons. It's like trying to do some Iverson move at home. Practice it enough and it will be easy.

There you go. Give all three of those things a month and you'll get a lot better.

--Matt

[edew]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by MattyCam:
<strong>Nice EDEW.

Here are a couple things I always recommend to new fencers.

1: Only move your weapon when taking the blade-either when attacking or defending. Don't be one of those guys out there just waving it around and looking sloppy. You can change lines fine, but don't look like an *** .

2: Your first line of defense is always distance. Try parrying with distance more than just with the blade. When you're doing footwork, make sure when you retreat it is 1.5 or 2 times the distance you would take if you were advancing. Whe you do it fast, you'll fly back and out of reach. That's key because when you start your attack it is at the end of a long attack from your opponent. If their foot work sucks, then you can do simple attacks and they'll panic and you'll hit all day.

3: Watch people fence. See what they're good at. try and do it. At NACs, what the good guys take lessons. It's like trying to do some Iverson move at home. Practice it enough and it will be easy.

There you go. Give all three of those things a month and you'll get a lot better.

--Matt</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">I agree with #1 in terms of not looking sloppy because, well, looking sloppy makes you look like a doofus to your opponent. If your opponent thinks you're a doofus, he or she won't respect you, and won't be threatened by whatever you do. A lot of fencing is mental and attitude. If you project the attitude of a doofus, you're going to lose five points right there. (Not to mention that the referees won't give you any breaks: simultaneous touches will appear to be your opponent's attack and your counter-attack, etc.)

However, go ahead and wave away with the blade, if you know how to control it. A lot (two words) of blade waving is done as a prep. When you stick your blade out there, waving, you've just got your blade closer to your opponent without them expecting you to hit them. You can almost then just reach out and hit them without so much as a lunge. Also, they can't pull their blade so far back, and you might be able to make contact with their blades, thus making a beat (and obtaining the right of way for a short moment).

In other words, fake parries are fine things to do. Make sure you have control of the fake parries, and not just waving your blade in a desperate attempt at catching something.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

First, work on your flicks to the four. Then, the six. Then, the seven. Then, the eight. Then, over the top right shoulder. Then, over the top left shoulder. Then, over the back.
After you have mastered that, work on parry, and flick riposte to the same positions.

Once you are done mastering that, work on your yell. Practice it. Feel the passion. Work on tone, inflection, volume and most of all, make sure it sounds convincing enough for the director to give you the point. I like to make my yell a little on the French side, but that's just me.

Note: These are are just ideas. You don't have to follow them.

[John Nguyen]

Thanks[/qb][/QUOTE]Here's another pointer: "A LOT" is two words; not "ALOT".

What weapon do you fence?[/QB][/QUOTE]

haha, sorry. I tend to make A LOT of mistakes.

But my main weapon is Foil left
and Epee right

Foil is very difficult for me sometimes because I fence people and they talk bout 6. 7. 8. etc...but its reversed for me, so I have to think backwards.

Please any lefties out there advise.

[John Nguyen]

haha, well, about the yelling. I used to do a little yell when I thrust out. But then I realzied that it didn't work with people who knew what they were doing. Sure some other people were fearful, but all in all, these pony tricks only lasted me my first bout at my home club. (when not at school)

This is why im trying to move towards more discipline and less stupidity.

[Sabresque]

Usually poeple yell after a touch for various reasons. The reasons *I* yell (and it can really help me, believe it or not), is to either pump myself off when I feel I'm getting down on myself or sluggish, or if I have a ton of extra nervous energy it can get it out. Plus, sometimes it can sway the unsure director <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> And if you yell before a touch instead of after like you usually do, you can suprise people into flailing.
But that's just an add on (and you say it doesn't work with people in your club 'cause they're used to you doing it).

Of course, there are fencers who the silent yet deadly type (which can be just as unnerving as a yell).

Yet, as a newer fencer, if you yell most likely it'll just piss people off, lol. So, I'd say not to start yelling unless you definitly got the touch and it was a real good one, or it REALLY helps you in your game. I still make people annoyed with me sometimes, and it ain't fun when the director doesn't like it. So, anyways, what I'm trying to say is, as you get better try it out, but don't over use it. It isn't really necessary or anything.

Wow, I just went on and on and on about the same thing there didn't I?

[Zelda]

John re parries with left handers, just remember 4 is as if you are coming across the body, 6 is away from the body. I get 7 and 8 mixed up myself so cant help. Sorry!

[DamedEscrime]

Hey, look in the archives for "You know you're a Newbie When......." That ought to tell you all you need toknow... and give you a good chuckle too.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by John Nguyen:
<strong>...And if so, can you give suggestions as to how to improve to becoming a "real fencer"...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">1. Get an expensive wheelie equipment bag. If it says Allstar, Uhlmann, or Prieur, you're on the right track. It kind of says, "I have so many weapons, I need to carry them in a big bag".

2. Get an FIE homologated mask, jacket, and pants along with a fancy Adidas fencing shoes and socks. Looking good is better than feeling good. Stencil your jacket for epee or lame for foil and saber and don't forget to add the country because that means you are good enough to compete internationally.

3. Get a homemade stamp kit and a red ink pad. Make up a couple stamps and stamp your mask and/or electric lame. This is to ensure people know you have been going to a lot of competitions.

4. Bang and scratch up your guards. Shiny guards sometimes look too novice-ey.

5. Don't listen to my advice but keep it in the back of your head for future reference.

<small>[ 08-10-2002, 02:29 PM: Message edited by: three_hundred_fifty_five ]</small>