Merits of taking time off from fencing

[Kenji]

I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion on taking like a two week break from going to practice is. I've been feeling pretty so-so at practice, like my heart's just not in it I guess. Well, at least tonight. Before, it's just been feeling like I'm doing things wrong, my timing is off, etc. I'm also switching from a club that fences more of the Russian style to a club (at my school) that fences more of a "classical" style, and I just can't help but get into arguments with the coach about things =P It's also been kinda frustrating trying to adapt to people whose style is so much different. And I just think maybe taking a little time off might be nice to get myself back together a bit.

[eac]

Why did you switch clubs? Having been at both styles, I can see that going from a modern to a classical club would be pretty depressing. Consider switching back, if at all possible. What city do you live in?

[Phaeton]

I'd avoid anything that referred to itself as classical and had radically different timings like the plague. Even more importantly if a lot of actions are closed eyes, it's probably not a good thing...

People have fencing ups and downs, and you may be just having a hard week; I don't know what missing practice for two weeks would do you for you at the moment. If you plan to compete or maintain any notion of sanity it is important to have a seasonal plan and plan a significant off season before you burn out or just totally lose it.

Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect, and if you're not doing something right, you really don't need to be ingraining it. If you're club is doing anything completely bizzare that you never see anyone at tournaments doing, or any high level fencers there's something up.

A break gives you a chance to clean the slate slightly of any mistakes you were making.

So go ahead and take a break, it's good for sanity if you feel you need to, otherwise: Keep on keeping on, much like Bob Dylan's song with Ghengis Khan you should probably wait until a more opportune time in the season and personal life say decemberish.

[akaiyuki]

Why did you switch clubs? Having been at both styles, I can see that going from a modern to a classical club would be pretty depressing. Consider switching back, if at all possible. What city do you live in?

I'm assuming he's starting school at another city, thus cannot fence at his old club.

Perhaps you might want to look into other clubs in the area. If you don't agree with your coach because his style just doesn't suits you, taking a break won't help. It's important to find a coach that can teach what works for you. Forcing yourself to adapt to a style that you disagree on isn't going to help your fencing.

Although it sounds like you're a little frustrated right now. You can take a week off from the club and think about your options and what you want to do. Taking a week off won't kill your fencing either, really.

[hello?]

It sounds like two different threads: "Is taking a break good?" and "What do you do when you switch clubs and realize you don't like the new club?" The answer to the second, in my opinion, would be to switch back (if you can). If the original club is no longer an option, are there others? To the first question, I have heard that breaks are good. I am not experienced enough to know, however. Right now, I miss it if I don't fence for longer than four days...Not to mention that I feel like if I've never held a weapon before.

[Kenji]

Hmm, I guess it was kind of two threads/questsions. Anyways.

Yeah, I'm in a different city, and I just don't htink it's worth it to make the drive back every week. Although I've been doing that for summer, and it is tempting, since it's a good club....

And although they do consider themselves "classical," I mean, we are working with modern timings and using electric equipment and stuff. It's a competitive college club, and they're in the local college fencing league or whatever, so I mean it's not it's anything really out there. But I do get the feeling that somd of it may be at least a little out-dated, and possibly not quite in touch with how modern sabre is directed.

And also, even before switching clubs, I've been starting to feel a little burnt out. I think this switching of styles and clubs is simply adding to the frustration I've been feeling.

[RITFencing]

But I do get the feeling that somd of it may be at least a little out-dated, and possibly not quite in touch with how modern sabre is directed.

I feel your pain; our sabre instructors are out of touch with the modern game as well. Does anyone there compete outside of the local area, especially the coaches? That can be good for opening people's eyes. If they stubbornly refuse to do it differently, then just keep fencing how you like (and hopefully mop the floor with them.)

With the refs, it's harder to deal with. See about getting a ref seminar held in the club; if you learn to really sell it and then bring in a guy like Bill Oliver, all those clubmates that were so excited about learning from one of the best can get a fun education.

[Kenji]

Sabre RoW Question - Attacking into an Advance

I was also arguing with our assistant coach on this very issue the other day. Given, he's a foilist with VERY little experience in sabre, and towards the "classical" side of the spectrum at that, so it's understandable that he wouldn't know how sabre calls are being made nowadays.

[keropie]

Was he with the 16, or one of the 0's?

[Kenji]

I'm quite sure he would've called it for left. I've been taught that, in that situation, unless left was waay ahead in tempo (like a whole unit of "fencing time" or whatever), it's almost always right's touch.

[keropie]

Which is funny, cause the call is closer in saber to being left's (though not very close, as evidenced by the poll), but it would take a super classical foil official (or a really drunk, cross eyed, or crazy one) to call it for the left in foil.

[Fencergrl]

I take time off from fencing on a regular basis... my coach encourages it. I think there's a real benefit. Many sports have a "off season" we need this time to pursue other interests and give our bodies and minds a break.

Take 2 weeks, 3 or whatever you need.

[Kenji]

I take time off from fencing on a regular basis... my coach encourages it. I think there's a real benefit. Many sports have a "off season" we need this time to pursue other interests and give our bodies and minds a break.

Take 2 weeks, 3 or whatever you need.

I know my coach's coach, and his coach, has their fencers take a couple weeks off after big tournaments like summer nationals. I haven't really taken a break from fencing since janurary. And I was pretty stressed out for a lot of that time, what with transferring to a new school and finals and all sorts of not-so-fun stuff to worry about.

I think my brain needs some time to recompose itself, before I get locked into some bad habits in fencing or something. Well, correction, some more bad habits =P

[Fencergrl]

Then do it. Listening to your gut is important. It tells you when you need to lay off.

[seven6ty]

Jeah, time off is gud gud.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I think the neccesity of time off really depends on how often and how hard you are fencing/training.

If you're only showing up at the salle less than once a week, then you don't really need any time off.

If you're showing up every day, and cross training during the day, then every several weeks a little time off is good.