Doing something wrong with the feet

[Carlos37]

I have noticed recently that as I move up the strip,I tend to move diagonally up the strip instead of straight towards the other fencer.Since it´s not my intention to move that way,what am I doing wrong with my footwork?

[RebelFencer]

Originally Posted by Carlos37

I have noticed recently that as I move up the strip,I tend to move diagonally up the strip instead of straight towards the other fencer.Since it´s not my intention to move that way,what am I doing wrong with my footwork?

Front foot straight and refrain from drinking before bouts.

[irishfolker]

I would guess that either you are not moving your front foot straight toward your opponent or you are not pulling your back foot directly behind your front foot. Check your alignment and practice using one of the side lines for a guide until it becomes automatic. You can also practice keeping your feet aligned by hopping in place and then checking your feet. Do it repeatedly until you come down in correct position.

Drill at advancing and retreating in a straight line, then do the same thing while moving your blade to different positions. You want your footwork to be as nearly automatic as possible.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

When people practice footwork for footwork's sake, you don't always do the things you do in bouts. If you do some footwork on a straight line with your eyes closed, you can see how you're doing better sometimes...

[Durando]

Originally Posted by Carlos37

I have noticed recently that as I move up the strip,I tend to move diagonally up the strip instead of straight towards the other fencer.Since it´s not my intention to move that way,what am I doing wrong with my footwork?

Your leading knee has probably drifted inward. This is the most common fault I see in students, even in relatively advanced fencers. And I'm a little disturbed to see it in my own fencing.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Durando

And I'm a little disturbed to see it in my own fencing.

It's comforting to hear that even perfection can be imperfect.

[peet]

Also make sure that your front heel and back heel are on the same (imaginary) line. (A line parallel to the strip... )


-p

[Jay Kominek]

If you're hunching over any, I wouldn't be surprised to see you drifting in that direction, too.

[RITFencing]

One other problem I often see is when the back foot starts moving laterally. Make sure your heels are in line and stay in line. When one foot starts drifting (front or back) they both do.

You can try doing some footwork on a balance beam or curb; that can be very good. You can also just use a line on the floor. Slow retreats up and down; when you start to move off with either foot, correct the problem and continue.

[Tomas N]

Righty or lefty? Moving left or right?

Tomas

[mrbiggs]

I have a problem where when I retreat I go slightly towards my weapon arm side, which I believe was a habit I gained as a beginner to make a parry 4 easier. I think I've managed to mostly get rid of it at this point, but I think it's very easy to imagine that with the new timings such tactics would be even more advantageous for beginners.

EDIT: Oops, just remembered you fence epee. Not quite as relevant, then...

[Carlos37]

I think the thing I was doing wrong was the heels not properly aligned.Thanks

[Lemonaide]

You should ask your instructor to check for you. Usually someone would yell "you're drifting" that should let you know to correct it. Can you find a bouting buddy to work with you on this?

[finnfence]

Some of my beginners don't align their heels because crossing the heels over allows the quads to do more of the work, and many people's quads are stronger than the muscles on the insides of their legs, or their butt muscles. Some people also have quite tight hips that make it hard to get their feet lined up properly and also keep their knees in line with the feet. And finally, some people roll in on their arches a bit, and this can also tend to lead to foot drift, I think by misaligning the bones and making it harder to use the muscles around the knee properly. For all those problems, for me the solution has been orthopedic inserts if needed, and then get down on the legs, and ask those inner leg muscles and butt muscles to do their fair share of the work. Not putting to much weight on the front leg helps, and so does being sure to pick up and put down the back foot, instead of essentially limping forward, dragging it behind, Eeeee-gor! fashion, if you know what I mean. Before and after practice, augment this stuff with stretching of the hips and hip flexors, and work to get the chest up and soft/mobile, for example with yoga (cobra pose and whatnot). Eventually, when there's enough muscle available, and enough flexibility in the joints to stack the bones one on the other properly, the foot alignment problems seem to go away on their own.