My second fencing class...

[ApAperture]

I started my second fencing class last saturday and to be honest, I was quite intimidated by the people in my class because they have been fencing for months already. I already bought a practice weapon so I could also practice at home and have requested books from the library to use as a reference, just in case they have drills.

I need to learn some practice drills both defense and or offense. Does my fencing family have any suggestions?

and oh, I chose foil.

[TodG]

You may wish to pick up a copy of Elaine Cheris' "Fencing Steps to success". It has a lot of practice drills and is a very good introduction to fencing. I picked up a copy after another member mentioned they were using it for their intro class. After looking through it, I think I am going to do the same.

It's a large format book and runs around $14.

http://www.amazon.com/Fencing-Steps-...0995695&sr=1-1

[Bryn Ralph]

Ask your instructor to pair you with one of his better students.

All fencers have discovered that one's fencing abilities increase when fencing someone whose performance surpasses oneself.

And avoid intimidation -- all of us have experienced this monster -- more than once.

En garde!

[the ancient one]

What goes around comes around.

Someday someone will find you to be intimidating.

That will be your chance to be nice.

Good luck.

[Pescados666]

Learn the correct description for your footwork and practice at home. Check yourself when you do them, make sure you match the description as said. Don't drag your feet, keep your knees bent, ect.
Once you learn attacks, you can hang a tennis ball or golf ball at chest height and attack it over and over to practice point control.

[ApAperture]

all of the recommendations are great... Thanks. I really liked this one though...

"Once you learn attacks, you can hang a tennis ball or golf ball at chest height and attack it over and over to practice point control."

Any more, anyone?

[ESLyon]

Hey ApAperture, I am also a new fencer, I started about a month ago. One thing I find helps me when I am fencing more experienced people is to think of every bout as a learning experience. Don't worry so much about winning, worry more about what your opponent is doing and think of ways to counter it, or to exploit weaknesses. I find I learn more from losing than I do from winning. After a bout, ask your opponent what weaknesses they saw in your fencing, ask for suggestions from the more experienced fencers, usually they don't mind giving out advice. Also, never think of someone as being "better" than you, I find that if I go into a bout with this mentality of a person being better than me, I have already lost in my mind, and that's half the battle. Some people may think this is being unrealistic, but I always do better if I believe I CAN win. Remember, anyone can win against any opponent. Never just give-up on a bout, always try your hardest and you will learn and progress quickly. But most importantly, HAVE FUN!

As to your questions on drills, I don't really know any, as I have almost no time between college and work to practice at home, although I'm sure many others on f.net will supply you with a long list of skill-building drills.

[slow_learner]

I just had my second class last night, and I am finding that I envy your situation. Everybody in my class is a beginner, and just doing some of the reciprocal drills is a challenge, because we're all over the place in terms of listening ability, co-ordination, confidence, etc. And then when it comes to practice fencing, it's even stranger. Some are very timid, while others are more aggressive but tend to throw technique out the window.

Me, I would like to avoid picking up bad habits. The best thing last night was when I got to fence with the instructor. His blade moved so fast and he did some cool parries and circular parries. This allowed me to implement the parries we had learned. It was fun!

Then we switched partners and I got this kid, maybe 14, who had missed the first class and so seemed to have no idea of the lunge. He just gripped that pistol grip like a vice and kept his arm and elbow locked stiff. It would have turned into some kind of shoving match if I hadn't decided to use it as a chance to practice what I had just seen the instructor do.

That's been my approach so far in this class: try to focus on developing the stuff he is teaching, regardless of whatever weirdness my partners are getting up to.

Note: We started with I think 20 people last week. Last night it was down to 16 + that boy and a lady who joined late. I figure by week 8 it will be much lower, say 10-12, but then that will be a more athletic, disciplined bunch.

So OP, look on the bright side! You are with people who have already jumped the first hurdle and you can only learn from them. Hopefully all of them.

Happy fencing!

[ApAperture]

Thanks for your insight and I am truly happy that I am with these people who I could learn from. The intimidation usually comes during the beginning of the class or before we start fighting and when I write in my fencing journal. Usually though when I fence, I enjoy it so much; I light up. It's fun even when I'm really tired. I'm sad that only amazon carries that fencing book recommended earlier in this thread.

Fencing Friday, so excited!

[greaterthangatsby]

I learned this drill from a fencer who has been fencing for years, and kicked my butt in 30 seconds yesterday (it's only my third lesson):

Advance advance, retreat... all the way from the beginning of the strip, to the other end. Turn around, do the same. I know it seems like a short distance, but I also do this in my living room. I've also skipped rope in the en garde position.

[slow_learner]

.... I've also skipped rope in the en garde position.

Just how is that done? And what is the purpose?


(I started using the speed rope lately and it is definitely a good workout.)

[greaterthangatsby]

Just how is that done? And what is the purpose?

Just have your feet in en garde, and your knees bent, as you jump up and down. It helps your muscles learn the position (muscle memory), so that when you get into en garde, you get into the position right away, instead of trying to find the right feeling.