Different footwork epee v. foil

[forethought]

The only thing that comes to mind as to what you're describing is the raddoppio, which literally translated in Italian means "redouble" ("I redouble", if you want to get technical, the verb being raddoppiare)). It is used before a lunge by bringing the back foot forward just behind the front foot before pushing off in the lunge, the idea is that you gain ground for your lunge without it being too noticeable by your opponent.

[crquack]

[quote][The US really does have some craaaaaazy coaches.
/QUOTE]

US, too?

Here it is a question of lemons, lemonade and diplomacy.
If I want to fence I have to drive to a neighbouring town. To join in the fencing one has to do as the locals do as matter of courtesy. If the first half hour is filled with outlandish drills, well, so be it. It is a price to pay.

On sporadic occasions I travel further afield. I get excellent coaching there. The rest of the time I try to remember and apply...

[pokey]

Originally Posted by crquack

If the first half hour is filled with outlandish drills, well, so be it. It is a price to pay.

Alternatively, show up a half hour late?

[Neinteen]

I always skip the first 15 minutes of practice so I don't have to run, do push ups, sit ups, and chairs. and most other days I come 30 minutes late and skip footwork, and just suit up and fence. Epee and foil footwork is at the same time, i see no difference much. idk.

[JEC]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

*wonders how long until someone posts claiming that epee fencers don't actually move, so which foot goes first is moot*

-B

We just move in other dimensions not understood by those who fence weapons of simultaneous wacking tempo!

[veeco]

Originally Posted by Neinteen

I always skip the first 15 minutes of practice so I don't have to run, do push ups, sit ups, and chairs. and most other days I come 30 minutes late and skip footwork, and just suit up and fence. Epee and foil footwork is at the same time, i see no difference much. idk.

That explains a lot...

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

*wonders how long until someone posts claiming that epee fencers don't actually move, so which foot goes first is moot*

-B

inq should be here sooner or later..

[wcsv]

I remember hearing once that some epee fencers move the back foot first in order to avoid presenting the front leg as a target. It seems that there are better ways to do that though...

[forethought]

Originally Posted by Neinteen

blah, blah, blah...idk.

You're right, that's why you go to practice.

And do the footwork drills, quit being lazy.

[Gav]

If the first half hour is filled with outlandish drills, well, so be it.

Actually no.

If you are serious about your fencing then you should be extremely picky about what you will do. So long as you are polite then the coach should be able to accept that you are not doing his footwork class.

The most important thing you should be learning, as a beginner, is a good level of basic technique. Anything else is wasting your time.

If the foundations are correct (let's assume you get good training habits as well) then the rest of your fencing career will not only be better but it will also be more fun.

Focus on what the excellent coaching is teaching you. Sounds like you are but I thought I would reiterate that point.

[Allen Evans]

Virtual rep to Gav for the above. The first year of fencing is very important...it's the most "plastic" stage of learning when good fundamentals are set down. Getting them right -- at the start -- makes the next few years a lot easier.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of crazy coaches in the US. They don't know the basics, or they think they have a better idea than the basics.

Do a "Dear Abby" and show these posts to your coach and opt out of doing wacky drills.

AE

[Goldgar]

Originally Posted by Gav

Actually no.

If you are serious about your fencing then you should be extremely picky about what you will do. So long as you are polite then the coach should be able to accept that you are not doing his footwork class.

The most important thing you should be learning, as a beginner, is a good level of basic technique. Anything else is wasting your time.

If the foundations are correct (let's assume you get good training habits as well) then the rest of your fencing career will not only be better but it will also be more fun.

I don't think I can wholeheartedly agree with this. How is a beginner to judge whether a drill is "outlandish" or not, or whether its outlandishness is just adding some entertainment to good training in fundamentals? I've been teaching a long time, and invented some outlandish drills in my time -- mostly for kids, granted -- which nevertheless were successful in training the fencers in what I wanted them to learn.

I've never been confronted with a fencer who said, "I think this drill is silly and I won't do it." If I ever were, we could discuss the point and value of the drill, but ultimately I expect the fencer to trust that I know what I'm doing as a coach.

[crquack]

Alternatively, show up a half hour late?

Then my wife would not have enough time to go shopping!

Focus on what the excellent coaching is teaching you. Sounds like you are but I thought I would reiterate that point.

Basically, that is the case. Even if it took me 3 years to find him...

[pinkelephant]

Originally Posted by forethought

The only thing that comes to mind as to what you're describing is the raddoppio, which literally translated in Italian means "redouble" ("I redouble", if you want to get technical, the verb being raddoppiare)). It is used before a lunge by bringing the back foot forward just behind the front foot before pushing off in the lunge, the idea is that you gain ground for your lunge without it being too noticeable by your opponent.

And very useful it is too, especially for one of advancing years...