fencing stereotypes

[Michaele]

Foil fencing is slow and boring, except when fenced by the best. epee is for tall bouncy folks who do not understand priority, or get tired of dumb directors who cannot tell tempo. Sabre for cutting types who are agressive, (knuckledraggers). Sabre most fun?

Why is your weapon the best and others not. There is too much civility here and not enough controversy.

[arcon]

[ 10-23-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Nasty]

So now people want the flame wars.
I will be more then happy to oblidge. How about you all.

[Dogstar]

I have never fenced a boring bout in foil or epee, it's just too much fun for me. Don't do sabre!
All though I have watched a lot of boring bouts in all three.
Is there any such thing as civil controversy........ .........D.

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Free speech has enlightened the world !

[arcon]

[ 10-23-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Dragoneye]

Foil, epee, sabre... boring?? Nuh-uh!! Although I'll grant the first two leave a little to be desired in terms of the non-fencing spectator. I don't think I have ever fenced a boring bout, though I've certainly watched a few - in all three weapons.

I fence all three weapons (though currently epee the most heavily).

Foil, to me, is the epitome of grace, agility, skill and intellect (note I'm talking about those that are good - I don't think anyone has ever acused me of having grace ). The limited target area makes for some interesting attack plans and forces , after some time fencing, one away from the hack and slash method.

Epee, on the other hand, is precise, quick and dirty. There's no relying on right of way to get you that point - you both land, you both score. Its brilliance comes from those points that you tag clean on the wrist - you know the ones... your opponent is still fencing because he didn't even realize you hit him. There's a halt, his eyes go wide ( ) as he realizes it wasn't his light on - now that's fun

Now sabre... funneled agression - its a great feeling. Contrary to what many think, there's a lot of grace and agility in the sabre bout too. Its lovely to watch. Those who fence sabre will know that there a certain degree of realism with it too. A few whacks and you'll know that damn it hurts! You should see me after a couple rounds of sabre - black and blue all over (mind you I bruise if you look at me too harshly ).

All three weapons are great, I think. My reason for fencing primarly epee? It's cheaper is all!


Cheers,

Dragoneye.

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"Violent delights have violent ends." R&J - WS.

[This message has been edited by Dragoneye (edited 07-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dragoneye (edited 07-12-2000).]

[FencerInUS]

Personally I don't think foil is slow and boring. Sure there are those bouts where you know the person is better than you are, or your equally matched and so you take it slow, testing your opponent. I'm sure they have those moments in every weapon. As for there being "too much civility and not enough contoversy" on the board, I suggest before this blows its top to go read through the board. Espesially some of the ones with alot of posts. There's your contoversy for you.

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F.I.US.
Parry, THEN riposte
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[MikeHarm]

Where are the tournaments being held that foil is slow and boring at?

Mike

[ladybug]

Dragoneye

Hello from a comrade in (black and blue) arms!! I also bruise easily and, because I fence sabre am always all bruised up. How do you deal with people who comment on your bruises (I honestly think some people at work think I'm a beaten woman) Any tips on how to minimize bruises?

[FencerInUS]

Umm... dont fence saber?

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F.I.US.
Parry, THEN riposte
--)--------

[JWS]

Try real long gloves. Then at least if it didnt stop the bruising, you would look good.

[big poppa]

none of my business honey , but you should leave the bastard!

[Link14]

Bite your tongue F.I.US.! We need all the women sabre fencers we can get!

Our family always jokes about eating baked potato skins to help heal bruises, but I think it really works so you might try it.

As far as what to tell people....can't help you there except to tell them the truth. I have a bad habit of bringing my off-hand forward when I recover from a lunge...not a good thing to do when you fence sabre! The gang in the office knows that if my left hand is all banged up, Link was stupid the night before

While I think sabre fencers need to realize they're going to get bruised up, that doesn't mean you always have to put up with it. Teaching to cut with the fingers not only reduces the number of bruises but speeds up the attack considerably. Anyone at Club who starts "hacking and slashing" from the elbow gets a halt and a scolding. I have to work diligently to try and keep my cuts fast but light. Still having trouble lightening up on my preise-de-fer to belly cut. Love that move, but still too much elbow.

I'll vote for sabre being the most fun, understanding that I'm prejudice I do like all three weapons....fencing epee the least. Had a fun time though at a one touch epee meet last weekend. More sabrest fencing than epeest! What a hoot...I wasn't in the cellar so I felt pretty good.

Have fun and keep up the fencing!

[Mengarath the Dragon]

Where does anyone come up with foil as slow and boring?? I admit I've never fenced sabre, nor do I plan to anytime soon, though maybe someday. I've fence epee and foil though, and watched enough sabre. Out of all of them I think foil requires the most energy. When I started I used to think the professional foilists have chocho puffs and maple surup for breakfast they bounced around so much, but when you are up against them you bounce too or you get beat. Foil takes way more energy, thought, strategy, and speed than epee does. I really love the down and dirty simplicity of epee, but I also love the challenge of foil. If anyone thinks it's boring, they need to get a clue. Sure, beginers are boring, but that goes for any of the three, not just foil.


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Mengarath the Dragon

Life is to short to be ordinary.

[Dragoneye]

Ladybug,

I've found the only tried and true way to avoid the bruises is to not get hit. Seriously though, if you are prone to bruising, I don't think there is a lot you can do. I have heard the better shape you are in the faster bruises heal (better blood ciculation) - of course, I'm not too sure that I subscribe to that, as given the way I bruise this theory makes me look like a regular couch potato!

People do comment on the bruises, and I'm sure they get the wrong idea. When asked though, I just tell them that I fence and show them the fact that I'm bruised on only one side of my body for evidence.


Cheers,

Dragoneye.

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"Violent delights have violent ends." R&J - WS.

[arcon]

[ 10-23-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[robbie]

Maichael:

Perhaps you should leave the "Intro to Fencing Foil" class and move to the beginner's class ... I think you'll find the action there moves a little bit faster. As far as "boring" goes ... try giving out a battle cry the next time you lunge or fleche!

[flik]

To get back to the spirit of what this thread was supposed to be (i think), here are some stereotypes i've come across:

foilists are the elitists of the fencing world, seeing the other weapons as "primitive" or even "barbaric."

epee is for those giants of the fencing world, or the slow thinkers. also the most practical - kill your opponent before s/he kills you: "Your right of way?" - "WHO CARES, you're dead!" epee fencers, though not elitits, look down upon all other weapons and never associate with those who use them. I was brought into fencing taught that epee was "the Dark Side" and to avoid it at all costs.

Sabre is for those violent individuals who quite likely pulled the wings off bugs and tortured the family cat as children. They are short, bulky, and would rather pluck out your eye than shake your hand at the end of a bout.

"Lock up you daughters, the FENCERS are in town!!"

any other good ones out there?

[Link14]

Flick, glad to see you were brought up right...epee is the dark side and from what I've experienced, some do tend to look down on other weapons. But then that may just be fencers in general.

As far as my daughter goes....fencers better watch out for her. A beginning foilest with less-than-perfect point control who like to go to the low-line

Oh yeah and another thing....we're not bulky, that's just the lame

[flik]

Link,
Fortunately (or unfortunatly, depending on you point of view) I went over to the darkside long ago... blind directors seldom screw up epee bouts and i like hitting people on the toe and popping them between the eyes!
I've had to deal with fencers like your daughter before. But god help any of her opponents that don't wear a cup!