Hello!

[Eavaheb]

Wow, where do I begin. This might sound like the total cliche beginner but im not even close to that. I should be starting up fencing soon but i dont want to look like a total beginner. I never had any classes, all i know are some of the rules and weapons that i will be useing. I would like to know if there are any excersises that will help me with fencing. The place i will be starting fencing is at my new school that i will be enrolling in. It is a high school but im going there my sophmore year. Because i have no clue on fencing, would they teach me all i need to know or would i have to come in knowing how to thrust and Engaurd. Can someone help me?
~All help appreciated, Eavaheb

[keropie]

I'm certain that they'll be able to start you from the beginning, and honestly, starting with a decent coach (keep your fingers crossed on that one) is better than starting from a book (or a whole bunch of posts that are somewhere between mildly and very contradictory ). I"d just wait and stay excited ^^.

[WordRider]

Give ear and welcome to the forum! Enjoy your stay.

espiritusaberTerrance

[Eavaheb]

great thanks

[Invictious]

Hey, I was also interested in fencing for years, then I finally got a coach, it was much better than reading it from a book.

Practice your footwork at home religiously, although you might have to improvise a bit when needed

[VELISARIOS]

Wellcome to the forum.

[tubbyFencer]

Having a good / patient coach definitely helps But that's only part of the whole equation, U need to enter into the realm of fencing with the right attitude. Good working knowledge of the sport is a plus.. but going for your first few lessons, U need to approach it with the earnest desire to learn and be willing to make a few mistakes along the way. Seriouly, speaking from my personal experience I walked into my 1st class... I am definitely the Tubbiest around there, and twice the age of some beginners.. I huff and puffed for a month, now at least i can keep up with the rest..

[Eavaheb]

Uh oh. I fear the worst. because i havent chosen the school im going to yet, because we are moving, the 3 schools i have narrowed it down to have fencing. the only problem is, one of the 3 schools has fencing as a club, and not a sport. does anyone know (if i choose this school) if clubs have people who teach fencing, or is it just a bunch of kids fencing for fun? i know none of you can vouch for it, but anyone who is in a fencing club at school, do they teach you fencing?

[keropie]

This varies greatly from club to club. Generally speaking at a high school both clubs and teams will have someone coaching them, but the abilities of the coach(es) may vary wildly. What area are you headed to school in? With that knowledge, someone may be able to give you more insight. . .

[RITFencing]

Also, if you don't want to share your locale, www.usfencing.org has a list of clubs organized by area. When it's up, at least...

[Eavaheb]

jersey

[RITFencing]

Ah! TONS of fencing there, of varying quality. What part of NJ will you be living in? I grew up there and will actually be coaching there myself at both a high school and a club, so I may run into you.

[Gamling]

Hey, I was also interested in fencing for years, then I finally got a coach, it was much better than reading it from a book.

My problem is I don't read the books enough. Though I think the reason is I like my coaches a lot and feel like I am moving in the direction I want to go.

[Phaeton]

Reading probably won't help you much, best you can do is make sure you have some degree of aerobic capacity...

[RITFencing]

Yeah, running and the like to build strength, flexibility and endurance will help.

[Eavaheb]

I actually have no idea where, but its gonna be in central jersey, like hunterdon(either one) or hilsborough high school. Maybe bridgewater raritan. Im looking into which one has the best accademics, football, and fencing.

[RITFencing]

I will actually be starting to coach at Hunterdon Central High School this season, and I think I'm a pretty decent coach. You may want to ask others for a second opinion; I would always ask about a coach before signing up with one. Obviously there's a team there; they're just in their third year. Wow, there, their and they're in one sentance, and all used correctly. How many internet types can boast THAT?

[Eavaheb]

You gotta be ****ting me. We are really really thinking of moving to flemington, and me going to hunterdon central school. im going there in 2 days, thats monday, to check out the school and talk to the athletic dept about fencing. But here you are, and im guessing you will start me with basics. I was wondering if the team cuts people? But, if you are there, ill be there on monday.

[RITFencing]

No cuts, and no ****, either. And I wish I could be there but right now I'm in Rochester, NY, 300 miles away. If you want my email or any other contact info, feel free to send me a private message and I'll give them to you. Any other questions you have, whether or not you go to HC, drop me a line. I'll also be coaching at Bucks County Academy of Fencing in the winter; it's about 20 minutes from Central.

[Eavaheb]

LOL. I was born and lived in rochester new york for the first 7 yrs of my life. lol.