Epeeist in need of HELP

[*~susan~*]

two words... NEW FENCER!
Now, it's fencing season and i'm in need of some help!! Last year when i fenced for a few months, I had grown to enjoy leading and being the main attacker on the strip (OPA!). Recently i went out to "the turkey stab -- Conn. division open" (my first ever tournament) and found myself freaking out. In high school i was pretty much one of the few who had atacked after "fence...." . at the tourney I found myself on the strip not as the attacker but as the ATTACKED!!!
S.O.S. help!!!
thanx,
susan

[Falcon17]

work on your defensive offense(i.e. stop hits, and counter attacks). Make them think twice about attacking you, and while they are thinking ATTACK!!!

[John]

LOL! I'll help as much as I can. A rule of thumb is always attack the attacker. If I sense that someone likes to attack, then I make them try and defend. I can't say for certain, but this might be why you were attacked. To slow down your opponents in epee, develop an accurate wrist arm or shoulder counter attack (some call it a stop hit) Mixed it with the occasional parry, will slow down most people. Since you are new, I will also add this advice. Watch your guard. In epee many new fencers will expose the outside arm, esp. after a parry 4. This is a fairly easy (and safe) attack. Also watch your distance. Many new fencers tend to "wander" into lunge distance of more experienced fencers. That might explain why you are being attacked. Most fencers are taught to lunge if you hesitate in "lunge" distance.

[Stryder]

What they are all saying Susan, is practice more.

[Gav]

I'll just elaborate a little on Johns post. It's very true the poit he makes about on parry positions and distance. These cannot be over empahasised.

I assume that you have tramsferred from foil. Remeber that in epee your guard must be lower and slightly further out. Stand in front of a mirror and appraise yourself in the on guard position. See how much of yourself is exposed.

Keep your stance deep and comfortable. Too deep and you risk knee hits. Too shallow and you will give your actions away BEFORE you make them.

Epee is about patience. You can use a fast aggresive style (people say I do) but remeber your distance. Epee has a longer distance than foil. Attacking the body IS fine just make sure that you take the blade before doing so.

Epee doesn't have the conventions that foil has, so be wary of your parries. Grazing parries (ones that in foil gain prioroty but aren't really parries - a subject for another thread - methinks! ) won't work. If the parry doesn't clear your fencing line then an experienced epeeist will use this to their advantage.

I seem to have went on a bit so I'll leave it there. Hope this helps.

[Rick]

John and Gav pretty much say it all. Couple of things I'd like to add...
I think it's more advantageous to be the defender rather than the attacker (in epee). There are no right of way rules AND people are always most vulnerable while they are attacking (Someone once told me that 60% of touches scored in Epee are on the defensive -- however, he had no sources to back him up, but it seems possible). In addition to solid parries and keeping distance, incorporate taking your opponent's blade within your defensive-offense tactics (especially if they can outreach you). Getting their point out of your line leaves a good lane for your counter-attack. And if someone overwhelms you on the strip, stick your point out. If they've over committed, their momentum will do a nice job for you (self impalement -- trust me, it hurts, and it will make them think twice about their next attack).
Good luck and happy hunting.

[damianip]

Let 'em attack. Just offer your épée upon which they may impale thenselves.

I'm currently transitioning from foil to épée and the most dificult thing to learn is patience. I do much better if I wait for an attack and counter or attack cautiously trying to draw a vigorous counter.

As everyone here has said or insinuated, the attacker is generally more vulnerable than the defender. The key is to remain calm.

I forgot who said it(I may have heard it here on this board), but the goal of épée is to get your opponent to run onto your blade.

Paolo

[swordsen]

Well I've never said that here that I can recall but I say it everytime I give an epee lesson.