Left-Handed Fencer Injuries

[Dr. Bob]

I'm a left-handed foil fencer. In bouts at my club with right-handers I frequently get hit in my weapon hand. In a recent tournament, I was hit in the hand by the guard of my opponent, resulting in a broken 5th metacarpal and 6 weeks in a cast. I never get hit in the hand when fencing other left-handers (which, of course, doesn't happen that often). I realize that the cause of this is that the weapon hands are on the same side and rather close to each other. Any simultaneous or near-simultaneous attacks are fairly likely to result in a collision. All of this is preamble to my question: is there anything I can do to protect the back of my weapon hand? A plate-mail gauntlet comes to mind, but I imagine that wouldn't be allowed and would probably make it a little awkward to hold a foil. Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, is there anything you've found that helps?

I don't know if this has been discussed in the past, but, if so, I'm bringing it up again.

[Inquartata]

Try this thread

Safer saber gloves

It's about sabre hand injuries, but it has a discussion of palliative ideas that are probably useful in all weapons. Also see the threads in the Armory forum regarding HOM Fencing's experience designing a safer, more protective fencing glove...

[Poulet]

Originally Posted by Dr. Bob

I'm a left-handed foil fencer. In bouts at my club with right-handers I frequently get hit in my weapon hand. In a recent tournament, I was hit in the hand by the guard of my opponent, resulting in a broken 5th metacarpal and 6 weeks in a cast. I never get hit in the hand when fencing other left-handers (which, of course, doesn't happen that often). I realize that the cause of this is that the weapon hands are on the same side and rather close to each other. Any simultaneous or near-simultaneous attacks are fairly likely to result in a collision. All of this is preamble to my question: is there anything I can do to protect the back of my weapon hand? A plate-mail gauntlet comes to mind, but I imagine that wouldn't be allowed and would probably make it a little awkward to hold a foil. Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, is there anything you've found that helps?

I don't know if this has been discussed in the past, but, if so, I'm bringing it up again.

Get someone to videotape your fencing. I guarantee you're doing something wrong. No one should ever even need to consider wearing armor in Olympic fencing.

[Inquartata]

What do you think a 1600N mask and 800N clothing are? Fashion statements?

Not to mention "fencing yarmulkes" for ladies and cups for men.

Unlucky confluences of actions happen, and quite frequently. I inadvertently injured a sparring partner once when I feinted belly with my blade but went flank with my hand and guard, and he went to parry the belly cut. Result: my guard and the back of his hand came together with unfortunate results.

"My technique was wrong" is an admission of remarkably little comfort to someone who has to quit fencing for a month when a bit of protective gear would have warded off the injury...

[Poulet]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

What do you think a 1600N mask and 800N clothing are?

Not on the same level as "a plate-mail gauntlet", for one.

[Inquartata]

Then we're only arguing degree.

Personally I would love it if we all had to wear mail lamés instead of the fabric ones. Much more protective, and they'd never wear out or lose conductivity.

Put the armorers and vendors out of business, though, so I guess it'd be a two-edged sword.

[Poulet]

It also wouldn't be much fun for younger fencers, who grow out of their lames fairly regularly... nor for those of us prone to occasional snack-food binges

Also would likely be rather uncomfortable, heavy or expensive... Pick two

[Inquartata]

Good way to separate the men from the boys.

[Poulet]

And the women from the men!

[Inquartata]

Apparently we don't know the same women fencers.

[Poulet]

Surely you know some women who aren't built like a truck...

[remise]

In foil and sabre, I wear a baseball glove under my fencing glove. You'd be surprised how much protection it affords.

[remise]

That couldn't be further from the truth. My disengages are quite precise. It takes a bit of practice with the extra glove, but does not affect point control in the least.

[remise]

By "taking a bit a practice', I'm referring to getting used to the second glove. If your point control is that lousy that a thin glove inside a fencing glove would throw it off, your problem would be solved immediately by working on point control to begin with.

[Joe biebel]

I too get the crap beat out of my hand. I do everything I can to keep my old parts going. It seemed to me that a larger guard might help and so I went to 11.5cm foil guard. Still not enough. Having access to industrial sewing machines and computer patterning systems I made several covers for my hand that go over the glove. I have been able to use them at any and all tournaments, so far. The heavy vinyl, velcro applied pad has a thin firm foam pad sewn inside. It weighs very little and is easy to apply and remove. See photos.

[remise]

Joe -

That is a great invention. Do you have a pattern for it?

[Joe biebel]

Yeah, I do. It's not perfect yet, but I think I can come up with a few different sizes. A couple people at my club wear them now and have thanked me profusely for them. I kept 2 that I thought were the best fit for me and gave the rest away. If there is some interest, I would consider making these for sale. I am leaving momentarilly for Reno to play for the weekend, and will start posting again next week.

[Kettu]

There is a rule about extensions beyond the guard, so you may have to take that into account when designing these items, as it is possible that they may be illegal. For example, the crossbars (quillion?) on the Italian foil do not extend past the guard any longer, though you can find some older models which would not conform to the current requirements.

I've had some similar lefty troubles. On occassion, after having lunged before my opponent's counterattack, I would proceed to retract my arm (as to reprise). My guard would then catch the opponent's, or the opponent catch mine, often disarming him or her. No corps-a-corps calls have been made in these instances, though perhaps they should have been. Saturday at the CT Varsity State event I sustained a few injuries to my knuckles from some similar actions, but no broken bones. I have a small blood stain on my leather glove to attest to such instances.

[Inquartata]

From the photos that's not a part of the weapon itself, just a wrap for the hand. That wouldn't violate the rule.

And a very nice idea it is, too. If you have to fence foil, that is.

[Kettu]

Being unaware of any rules prohibiting such modification of a glove, I concede to your point.

If the audience should complain about not being able to see the hand of the fencers, we shall see a transparent polycarbonate rendition of this glove wrap yet!