flexibility

[melinchow]

is anyone out there using brad walker's stretching handbook and if so what kind of results have you gotten using his techniques? i definitely could use more flexibility in my game and i'm just wondering if it's worth getting the handbook.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I can tell you right now that a stretching book isn't worth your money.

You can find all the pictures and descriptions for a stretch online.

The keying to being flexible is to stretch, and stretch often.

[melinchow]

any recommended stretches?

[RebelFencer]

Seriously, is it that hard? Surely you've stretched at some point in your life. Want to get more flexible? Stretch more and stretch often. Don't over-stretch to the point of injury, but challenge yourself so that you aren't just staying within your comfort level. Want a longer lunge? Do one and make notes of what muscles you're using and find stretches to help better them. Want better infighting? Stretch your weapon arm so that contorting it is fairly simple. Above all, just practice. Sheesh.

[melinchow]

perhaps i should be more specific in future postings so as to avoid idiotic comments, such as those offered by "rebelfencer", that benefit no one. what i meant was does anyone have any actual knowledge of specific stretches that have been proven to directly enhance the performance of foil fencers? for example is there a specific stretching regimen used by the u.s. fencing team? "rebelfencer" need not reply.

[RebelFencer]

Originally Posted by melinchow

perhaps i should be more specific in future postings so as to avoid idiotic comments, such as those offered by "rebelfencer", that benefit no one. what i meant was does anyone have any actual knowledge of specific stretches that have been proven to directly enhance the performance of foil fencers? for example is there a specific stretching regimen used by the u.s. fencing team? "rebelfencer" need not reply.

Wow, for someone throwing the term "idiot" around so loosely you sure aren't very good at actually searching for answers.

Stretching routine.

Perhaps next time you should look for yourself first rather than expecting everyone else to do it for you.

[bunbury]

Originally Posted by melinchow

perhaps i should be more specific in future postings so as to avoid idiotic comments, such as those offered by "rebelfencer", that benefit no one. what i meant was does anyone have any actual knowledge of specific stretches that have been proven to directly enhance the performance of foil fencers? for example is there a specific stretching regimen used by the u.s. fencing team? "rebelfencer" need not reply.

Heads-shoulders-knees-and-toes is the most common stretch used by high level foil fencers.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Originally Posted by melinchow

perhaps i should be more specific in future postings so as to avoid idiotic comments, such as those offered by "rebelfencer", that benefit no one. what i meant was does anyone have any actual knowledge of specific stretches that have been proven to directly enhance the performance of foil fencers? for example is there a specific stretching regimen used by the u.s. fencing team? "rebelfencer" need not reply.

The streches you need most are different than the streches that other people need.

My calves seem to be tighter than the calves of others, it maybe related to my feet problems (or so my podiatrist thinks). I strech them more than other fencers on my team. Family members seem to tear their rotator cuffs more often than the general populance. I have no reason to think it's genetic, but I still make sure my shoulders are warm and at full range of motion before i do anything particulary stupid.

If you have problems with any particular joint, you probably want to pay close attention to the muscles that surround that joint.

In my experience, hip flexors are the most frequent pull with an overlunge, but again, this is different for everyone.



If you are fencing correctly, you are using almost all of your muscles. Finger muscles in your off hand? not as much. But everything from your toes/legs/abs/arms/neck............ they're all useful, and they all should get streched. the ones you pay most attention to will depend on your body, and how you use it.




If you're expecting someone to tell you "these are the 5 muscles, and these are the 5 streches you need".......... you'll only get that from someone who really doesn't know what they're talking about.

[bunbury]

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

If you're expecting someone to tell you "these are the 5 muscles, and these are the 5 streches you need".......... you'll only get that from someone who really doesn't know what they're talking about.

...heads-shoulders-knees-and-toes are the only five anyone will ever need.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Originally Posted by bunbury

...heads-shoulders-knees-and-toes are the only five anyone will ever need.

We rest our case.

[HDG]

Originally Posted by bunbury

...heads-shoulders-knees-and-toes are the only five anyone will ever need.

Hips?

[PalmFrond]

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

The streches you need most are different than the streches that other people need.

Spot on. Consult a fitness professional and/or a physiotherapist. They can tailor stretching programmes to suit your needs, which a book can't. Books on fitness/stretching/fencing etc usually only help if you already know something of the subject matter.

[crquack]

Books on fitness/stretching/fencing etc usually only help if you already know something of the subject matter.

Not necessarily. The previous thread referred to above mentions books by Thomas Kurz. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone before they start a stretching regimen.

It is remarkable how many people still do static stretching *before* the exercise.

[BrianH]

Originally Posted by melinchow

perhaps i should be more specific in future postings so as to avoid idiotic comments, such as those offered by "rebelfencer", that benefit no one........

Play nice, melinchow, or you'll have to go to your room.

[Li'l Bebe]

I've found with lunging in particular (foil fencing...if that makes a difference to anybody) that a good way to get a longer lunge is simply to lunge more. I am a very short person, and used to have an equally short lunge. However, I decided to work on getting a longer lunge. So when I would do footwork on my own, whenever I'd lunge, I'd be sure to go long enough to really feel a good stretch in my adductor. Soon, I found my "stretchy" lunges creeped into my bouts, and soon my lunge got longer and longer as my adductor became more and more flexible.

WORDS OF CAUTION: if you're trying to get a longer, more flexible lunge, be careful to not over-do it, or you'll lunge so long that your left (assuming right handed fencer) knee will touch the ground, and you'll be so low that it'll be much more difficult to recover.

Also, if you're seeking flexibility, try to be able to go into the splits as low as you can, optimally go flat. That will really help prevent injury should you fence on a more slippery strip and your front foot slips out from under a lunge.

[PalmFrond]

Originally Posted by crquack

Not necessarily. The previous thread referred to above mentions books by Thomas Kurz. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone before they start a stretching regimen.

IMO it is better to have a knowledgeable person show you the stretches and correct your execution rather than teach yourself from a book. No book cannot evaluate you or your needs in the way that an expert can - and competent experts are usually up to date on the research in their field. Hence in my opinion it is better to start by consulting a human being before looking at books on the subject.

Regarding your last point: arguments about warmups, stretching, how to do them, in what order, etc. seem to be never-ending. Much like arguments about whether coffee is good for you. Best to try everything that you can and find what works for you.

[nahouw]

Originally Posted by melinchow

perhaps i should be more specific in future postings so as to avoid idiotic comments, such as those offered by "rebelfencer", that benefit no one. what i meant was does anyone have any actual knowledge of specific stretches that have been proven to directly enhance the performance of foil fencers? for example is there a specific stretching regimen used by the u.s. fencing team? "rebelfencer" need not reply.

I don't think that the foil team has a specific routine, however, I do know that the men's epee team had a conditioning program developed by the USOC training center, and it was probably posted on the men's epee team website when Paul Soter was the coach.

As far as to stretching that would benefit fencing, some yoga poses would fit the bill. Specifically the warrior poses (I, II, II), chair pose, triangle and reverse triangle, sun salutation, and crescent lunge. You can search on the internet to see how to perform these poses, however, if you are not familiar with yoga, it is really best to get into a yoga class.

[T H U G]

flexible fencas be hard
flexible fencas be tuff
flexible fencas know
wen day had enuff
takin bites outta crime
like mah bud mcgruff
and all dat stuff
stay away frum snuff
just dont bluff
cuz bein flexible is cool
chillin at da pool
dont let yoself drool
bein flexible sux
witout any strength
an if you strong den u outta lux
witout da arm length
fencins all bout balance
dats da troof
fencin on da roof
ya gotta be toof
dont be no goof
balance yo game
flexible strong
an dont foget long
arms is important
if you dont you cant
win on da strip
is all bout balance
werd

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by crquack

It is remarkable how many people still do static stretching *before* the exercise.

i know, not a particularly good idea.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Don't go dissing the static stretching.

It can have therapeutic benefits, especially for people with tendon problems do to some muscles being really tight (for me, my hamstrings).

Static hammy stretches before even a warm up have reduced my knee pain incredibly.