Fencing for the blind

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!


Random thought:

There is a ball game for 3-person teams of blind or sight-hindered people. Those who are not completly blind, wear sleeper shades. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into the goal behind the opposing team. The goal takes up the entire short end, and the teams are restricted to their respective side of the midline. There is no net in the middle. The ball is equipped with a jingle inside, so that it can be heard. A big part of the game is to throw the ball is such a way so that the jingle does not start sounding right away.

Anyway, could one equip the tip with a very small loudspeaker? The acute hearing that many blind people have would possibly allow them to discern complex motions of the opponent´s blade while in absence of steel, by using the Doppler effect.

If the floor reel is equipped with a stronger spring, they will get some feel for the distance along the strip also.


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[amia]

I couldn't resist:
The known coach Luke Skywalker trained with the technique of using "the force" but it was mostly with light-sabre.

[the ancient one]

Experiment!

Tie an elastic cord between the two fencers, perhaps knee to knee or somewhere. This way they will have a way to sense both direction, distance, and even acceleration.

[randomsabreur]

I think that I've heard of blind fencing with spools on "backwards" so each fencer is plugged into the wrong spool. The blind fencers loosely hold the spool wire in their non-weapon hand, the movement of the spool wire through their hand tells them which way the opponent is going. Can't remember where I read it though - was some time ago. The spool also helps you to keep straight I think.

[VorpalCat]

Now that's an interesting idea. Steve, if you give that a go, let me know how it works? (PM, email, whatever.) You know, curiosity, the cat, and all that...

[GrimRiposter]

I would agree. That is a very interesting idea. I discussed it with my student and we're going to try it at our next practice. It would address two of the three things we've been trying to figure out, the third being distance keeping.

I'll post an update next week.

[GrimRiposter]

My students and I tried the idea of switching the reels. With two right-handed fencers, the problem was the reel cable coming under the weapon arm. We had the reel behind the fencer on their left with the cable along their non-weapon arm side so they could hold on to the wire. The cable then went around the back of the fencer opposite to their body wire.

With a left vs right fencer, this might work ok, but with two of the same handedness, the wire is going to be a problem.

Thanks for the idea! If anyone else has any ideas, please pass them along and we'll give them a try.

GR

[the ancient one]

So did you try the bungee coupled fencers?

What happened?

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

My students and I tried the idea of switching the reels. With two right-handed fencers, the problem was the reel cable coming under the weapon arm. We had the reel behind the fencer on their left with the cable along their non-weapon arm side so they could hold on to the wire. The cable then went around the back of the fencer opposite to their body wire.

With a left vs right fencer, this might work ok, but with two of the same handedness, the wire is going to be a problem.

Thanks for the idea! If anyone else has any ideas, please pass them along and we'll give them a try.

GR

Can't that be fixed by moving the floor reels to appropriate locations?


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[Chuck F.]

Steve,

I have never worked with a blind fencer, but I have fenced under the direction of several blind referees!

(Sorry. I just couldn't resist.)

[stritti]

I was on the weekend at a competition in Guebwiller (FRA) and they showed fencing with one blind and one handicaped fencer who has to use a eyeprotection under the mask that they have the same level.

It was really interesting to watch and see how they work on the pist and touch the other fencer with the epee.

If you like to have a little video (mobilefone video) just give me an e-mail I ll send it to you.

STRITTI

[TBean]

Footwork and staying straight is going to be a matter of repetition for your fencer - like for anyone. As someone suggested have it be partnered with someone each holding a bungee or string - that way she will be cued when to move - the other person or a third party could have a weapon and use it to correct her when she begins to move laterally - her hips or feet whatever is the problem. That way she can feel what it is like to move in a straight line.

I remember years ago when I began there was a blind fencer who went to NACs - I fenced her several times. I remember asking her how she did it and she told me counted her steps. That was how she knew where she was on the strip. From the engaurd line it was x number of advances to engage, the end line was x number of retreats, total length was x - it was amazing what she kept organized in her head while fencing. That is something that you might have to start with your fencer.

[Rick Thompson]

TBean,

Very interesting. When you competed against the blind fencer at NAC's, were there any accomodations made? e.g. you had to wear a blindfold, or raised edges on the strip...

[TBean]

TBean,

Very interesting. When you competed against the blind fencer at NAC's, were there any accomodations made? e.g. you had to wear a blindfold, or raised edges on the strip...

No -- she understood that she had opted to compete in a national tournament with sighted fencers and she did not expect us to make any accomodations. If I remember correctly the one thing she may have had assistance with was getting back to the gaurd line - either from the person who was with her or the official. The person who was with her also helped her navigate the tournament and get her to the strip etc. etc. I remember her also saying that she knew when she was moving laterally too much because at a NAC she could feel the difference in her feet between the mesh strip and tape that held it down. Again, all the variables she kept track of while fencing was amazing. She never won any of her bouts but she always scored touches.