The Septembrist Newsletter

[slow_learner]

Just kidding.

For our third class the school's owner took over as planned and wow! This guy knows fencing. (The subject of priority came up, and he said Don't worry if it's not totally clear: he was at a seminar on the weekend and they spent six hours discussing the fine points of said subject.)

He is funny and energetic and keeps things moving. The hour goes by fast. It should be a 90 minute class. That would be much better.

He introduced the fleche! I thought this was an advanced move and would come much later. It was fun but awkward.

In the last part, which is fencing in two opposing lines, he had us change partners much more frequently than the assistant instructor had done. Which is cool because each person is totally different and you have to adjust quickly. Good for incubating the tactical sense?

Am unhappy with the pistol grip. I am just not doing much finger work with this lump. Maybe it is the wrong size or shape for my big paw. Orthopedic? More like a torture device.

But it was a great class. Can't wait to see what else this guy will teach us.

Funny what a difference a teacher makes in any subject when he loves it and can communicate that feeling to the class.

[greaterthangatsby]

I'm glad you had fun! My third lesson was also my coach explaining priority, right of way, and we kind of dissected why I lost my first three bouts. We went over lunging--I found out that I am too quick to lunge, and am missing a key step in the process. I want to take group classes now as well--just so I get some extra time with the instructor, but at my club, I have found that a lot of the fencers who are a lot further along (ie- seniors, veterans, or really good juniors) are very good about helping you. One girl attacked me the same way three times, hit me three times, then said, "I've hit you the same way three times. What am I doing?" We went over it, and I was finally able to...somewhat...deflect her.

I accidentally did the fleche. Didn't mean to, but my coach then yelled out, "Oh--interesting fleche. We'll work on that during the next lesson."

Anyone else find that the newer the person is to fencing--the harder they hit? I had no one to fence last night, so an epeeist and I played around with the epee--he is pretty new to epee, as well, and my chest and legs have never taken as much of a beating as it did then.

[slow_learner]

... at my club, I have found that a lot of the fencers who are a lot further along (ie- seniors, veterans, or really good juniors) are very good about helping you. One girl attacked me the same way three times, hit me three times, then said, "I've hit you the same way three times. What am I doing?" We went over it, and I was finally able to...somewhat...deflect her.

Good club. Mine seems to be that way, but I can't be sure yet. There's a thread in the Clubs forum where people have said that clubs can really differ in atmosphere--to the point where the noobs get treated like dirt. Brilliant.

I accidentally did the fleche. Didn't mean to, but my coach then yelled out, "Oh--interesting fleche. We'll work on that during the next lesson."

It is an exiciting, all-or-nothing move, it seems to me. Would love to develop it.

Anyone else find that the newer the person is to fencing--the harder they hit? I had no one to fence last night, so an epeeist and I played around with the epee--he is pretty new to epee, as well, and my chest and legs have never taken as much of a beating as it did then.

Sort of noticed that. I read somewhere that beginners press the hit too hard, which is bad because it reduces balance.

[greaterthangatsby]

I am glad you are enjoying it, nonetheless. Last class, we worked on temporal and spatial disengages. I am attempting to use those in my bouts, but like your screen name, I am a slow learner (perhaps slower than I would like).

The best advice given to me by a fellow fencer (a veteran) was-- be aggressive. I don't know if he was going easy on me during our bout, but after he said this, I was actually ahead by two touches--then he totally creamed me.

[slow_learner]

... Last class, we worked on temporal and spatial disengages.

Why do I get the feeling the course you are taking is so much more advanced than mine...

[greaterthangatsby]

Not necessarily--I think our coaches just have different lesson plans.

[ApAperture]

A. but at my club, I have found that a lot of the fencers who are a lot further along (ie- seniors, veterans, or really good juniors) are very good about helping you. One girl attacked me the same way three times, hit me three times, then said, "I've hit you the same way three times. What am I doing?" We went over it, and I was finally able to...somewhat...deflect her.

B. I accidentally did the fleche. Didn't mean to, but my coach then yelled out, "Oh--interesting fleche. We'll work on that during the next lesson."

C. Anyone else find that the newer the person is to fencing--the harder they hit? I had no one to fence last night, so an epeeist and I played around with the epee--he is pretty new to epee, as well, and my chest and legs have never taken as much of a beating as it did then.

I'm so excited I have a class tonight!

A. Last Saturday, I fought this guy 4 consecutive times and man, he won all four but I was progressing as we went along! In one of my classes, the coach asked us to bout one at a time instead of many pairs bouting we have two fencers and a director(fellow student) calling the shots. We rotated roles so we could practice the rules. Pretty awesome night!

B. I want to learn how to do that. hehe

C. As for me, my aim is just terrible that I hit parts of people that aren't covered. sadly, they hit me everywhere too.

[ApAperture]

Awesome, slow learner! I like this Septemberist newsletter. It's like a blog of what we've learned so far. So if you're reading this and you're new to fencing, come join the Septemberist!!!


Aniweiz, slow learner and thang...
I'm curious of your lessons. How many classes are you guys taking ? I'm currently taking 2x60 mins lessons a week and attend a 2-hr open bout session.

[greaterthangatsby]

I do one 20 minute lesson a week, and four 2-hour open bouts (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday). I may increase my lessons when I have more money.

[slow_learner]

You guys are doing a lot of fencing.

I have a one hour class each week. Eight week course.

Now I don't feel so silly about feeling antsy--the one hour shared with 16 other students just isn't doing it for me.

The club offers an intermediate membership for after I finish the course. This would get me I believe two one-hour classes per week where you get coaching and bouting, and also allow me to attend one open session where you just bout. To me that sounds more satisfying.

There is a club about five minutes from where I currently work and now it doesn't sound like overkill to maybe take some lessons there as well. Double my fun...

[slow_learner]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of grips have they got you using (and I am assuming you have started with foil) ?

There are apparently only two lefty foils in my club's arsenal. I always get stuck with the blue one and the other lefty gets the yellow one.

I am becoming annoyed with it. What I have read in several places is patently true: one doesn't tend to manipulate the blade with the finger/thumb when using a pistol grip. No doubt experienced foilists avoid this error. But I probably grip the thing too hard. Anyway, it feels unnatural.

Really tempted to order a French practice foil right now...

[slow_learner]

I like this Septemberist newsletter. It's like a blog of what we've learned so far. So if you're reading this and you're new to fencing, come join the Septemberist!!!

Ap is right. I know you others are out there...

It is fun comparing notes with fellow beginners. Veteran fencers just don't have the same perspective--understandably when they have been doing this for 20 or 30 years.

You are only a beginner at something once. Savor it.

[ApAperture]

A. Just out of curiosity, what kind of grips have they got you using (and I am assuming you have started with foil) ?

B. I am becoming annoyed with it. What I have read in several places is patently true: one doesn't tend to manipulate the blade with the finger/thumb when using a pistol grip. No doubt experienced foilists avoid this error. But I probably grip the thing too hard. Anyway, it feels unnatural.

A. The first location that I went to, my club has two, uses french grip primarily. But I think long time fencers use the pistol grip. Then, in my second location, my teacher uses pistol grip and makes us use that (that's the only kind he supplies). I don't have a preference just yet. I do have a french grip practice foil because when I asked the coach he said for beginners choose french.

B. I think I use my wrist. Not sure though.

[DoNotWant]

Ap is right. I know you others are out there...

It is fun comparing notes with fellow beginners. Veteran fencers just don't have the same perspective--understandably when they have been doing this for 20 or 30 years.

You are only a beginner at something once. Savor it.

Hai gais.
<---

[slow_learner]

I'm waiting for my mask 'cause I really think communal mask is icky but had to do. If you love something, you have to sacrifice yes?

Icky is right. Going to wait a bit for the mask though. Today I ordered the french dry foil and a nice clean jacket. When I came back from my last class my wife met me at the door and said "Eww, what is that smell?"

[slow_learner]

Hai gais.
<---

Hai yourself. Welcome!

[DoNotWant]

Icky is right. Going to wait a bit for the mask though. Today I ordered the french dry foil and a nice clean jacket. When I came back from my last class my wife met me at the door and said "Eww, what is that smell?"

Thanks.
I would have ordered an electric foil, you can practice with them too.

[ApAperture]

Icky is right. Going to wait a bit for the mask though. Today I ordered the french dry foil and a nice clean jacket. When I came back from my last class my wife met me at the door and said "Eww, what is that smell?"

I feel sorry for your wife; and the people around me who had to smell me: the bad eggroll lady.

[ApAperture]

Hai gais.
<---

hola!! welcome friend!

[greaterthangatsby]

Hello, DoNotWant, and welcome to the Septembrists.

At any rate, I just ordered my electric foil two days ago--it is supposed to arrive on the 25th. Like the rest of you, I've been using the French grip, and it has started to feel somewhat natural.

The mask was the first thing I bought two weeks ago. The smell of the practice mask was not very nice. One of the other fencers assured me that I will eventually get used to it. I didn't want it to ever come to that. The jackets also had this strange sour smell that smelled like the socks hockey players left around the rink where I used to skate. ICK.

Slowlearner is right; we are only beginners once. I am liking the idea that I don't have to be the best at it right away. I would like to be really good at this activity, but right now, it is liberating to know that I can just be a beginner.

What is the best advice anyone gave you on the strip? I have two--one veteran told me to use less weapon, more legs--which has improved my fencing. The other simply said, "Be aggressive!" That alone helped wonders.