Upcoming invitational: should I?

[Heavenguard]

I've only just started fencing lessons 4 weeks ago (and joined the varsity team 2 weeks ago). There's an invitational at another university in another 4 weeks' time. My coach told me about it, but I feel rather reserved about going. I still haven't even got proper form down yet.

I was thinking I want to get a little more into this and better at this before I start taking part in anything like that. But I'm thinking going might be a good learning experience. (But probably at the expense of giving someone a bad bout?) Should I go?

[epeemike81]

I've only just started fencing lessons 4 weeks ago (and joined the varsity team 2 weeks ago). There's an invitational at another university in another 4 weeks' time. My coach told me about it, but I feel rather reserved about going. I still haven't even got proper form down yet.

I was thinking I want to get a little more into this and better at this before I start taking part in anything like that. But I'm thinking going might be a good learning experience. (But probably at the expense of giving someone a bad bout?) Should I go?

Trust your coach. If he/she tells you to go, then go.

imo, it's never too early to start competing. Just be sure to set reasonable expectations.

-m

[erooMynohtnA]

1. Ask to your coach what they think is best.

2. Do what you you feel is best.

3. It's going to be much longer before you get the form down anyway, and fencing poorly is never a reason not to go to a tournament or no one would ever compete.

[Jay Kominek]

I was thinking I want to get a little more into this and better at this before I start taking part in anything like that. But I'm thinking going might be a good learning experience. (But probably at the expense of giving someone a bad bout?) Should I go?

If you go into DEs seeded last, whoever you fence isn't expecting much except a warm-up, anyways. They get their fun later against the 8th, 4th and 2nd seeds. (Or however it turns out.)
Don't worry about the other guys, just worry about what your coach says will help you develop as a fencer.

[whtouche]

As long as you have reasonable expectations and a positive, realistic outlook, I don't think anything bad can come from competitions. Learning how to fence in a competition is a skill you need to learn on top of fencing; I echo epeemike's opinion - the sooner you jump in the better.

The only tournament I ever came in DFL at, and the only one in which I ever lost a bout 15-0 was my first competition ever. I also don't think I've ever had as much fun at a tournament.

[Phaeton]

3. It's going to be much longer before you get the form down anyway, and fencing poorly is never a reason not to go to a tournament or no one would ever compete.

In my humble opinion one will never get their form "perfectly" down. Even the guys up top make technical mistakes from time to time.