Advantages/Disadvantages for a newbie?

[RITFencing]

Their fourth line is on the inside of their blade, just as yours is on the inside of your blade. It doesn't have to be on the left shoulder, unless for some silly reason they are holding their guard directly in front of their sternum (actually, I've seen a number of smaller Y-10 and 12 foil fencers do just this, and some women's foilists, too.

A circle 4 (or counter 4, depending on your terminology) parry really isn't that much more difficult than a normal 4 parry. Really, however, if the drill is to do a straight 4 parry and riposte, you should remind the attacker that he or she should be attacking into your 4 line, not outside, as that would have you practicing a different action.

[Kylee]

I see! Thank you.

Also, I keep running into the issue of me gripping way to tight, as well as the foil becoming very heavy on me. Could be gripping too tight, be the issue?

And, when i fence, and parry, sometimes the opponents weapon does not move. Am I too close, as in, is the tip of the blade not hitting theirs but, the base? I feel as if I lack control, esecially when the sword becomes heavy on me

[TBean]

Yes, holding onto your foil too tightly (best known as a death grip), can increase the fatigue in your arm. Also, you are still new to the sport so you don't yet have the stamina and strength for hours, and hours of fencing. It will come in time - don't push yourself too hard that you risk injury and allow for recovery time after fencing.

Struggling with your parries could be a distance problem or a timing issue. You are taking your parry at the wrong distance (to close) or at the wrong time (to late) so the foible of your weapon (tip), end up on the forte (base) of their weapon - when you want it to be the other way around for an effective parry. I have aslo found since fencing left handed that lefties need to take slightly bigger distance to also avoid what is happening to you - often when I am struggling or getting hit my coach reminds to get at lefty distance, not right-handed distance - so try opening the space a little bit more. You also indicate that the problem gets worse when you are tired. This happens to all of us, when we get fatigued our game deteriorates -when you feel it beginning to happen focus on something basic like keeping really good distance, and be aware this is your body telling you it is time to rest or be done fencing for the evening.

Most people struggle with all these things - it is not uncommon. It gets better with time and practice.

[merryandlovely]

That seems a lot more difficult then what the right-handers have to do.

[NeilNZ]

Right v left is just as awkward as left v right! Same concessions have to be made. It just means different tactics...

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by merryandlovely

That seems a lot more difficult then what the right-handers have to do.

Speaking as a leftie: It isn't.

[TBean]

Originally Posted by merryandlovely

That seems a lot more difficult then what the right-handers have to do.

Speaking as both a right and left-handed fencer - no its not.