Advantages/Disadvantages for a newbie?

[Kylee]

I am brand new to Fencing.

Which means, before my first lesson (yesterday) I was just sitting at home being a sponge and reading all I could on Fencing. I adore it, really.

I have been struggling with the fact of maybe being a left-hander. When I picked up the foil with my left it did not feel too awkward, and after awhile I got used to it. I'm deciding if I should just stay left-handed, since no one in my class is, I thought I would be different maybe? I don't know.

But the issue is that I am 4'11, weigh about 75Ib. Although very skinny, I am not in shape, as in me just being lazy for awhile. I plan do do leg exercises, I already have! I think I have pretty good reflexes, and I'm usually quick (I know I'd be more defensive). Is it wrong to be intimidated against all these tall males on the first day? I'm sure I will be greatly underestimated, and many might find my hilarious, but I want to prove them wrong...somehow...

I am worried I will have dis-advantages from my height, and being a lefty! Also, we are all starting off using foil, but I'm curious on if one would consider Epee or Sabre for me?

[noodle]

if you're more comfortable with the foil in your left hand and doing footwork left handed, you should stick with it. your height and weight might be an apparent disadvantage to start, but you'll figure it out eventually. if you have the option, try all three weapons and see which one you enjoy most. and do that one.

[Kylee]

I hope I figure it out, I don't want to go into fencing and realize since my height and weight (and being a lefty) is a huge problem. I do want to have fun, but I want to have some success whilst doing do...

[Purple Fencer]

I hope I figure it out, I don't want to go into fencing and realize since my height and weight (and being a lefty) is a huge problem. I do want to have fun, but I want to have some success whilst doing do...

Being a lefty gives a little advantage of you know how to use it....but that's part of the learning process.

Height...I'm 5'4", so I feel the pain there...just remember that if you get inside someone's guard, they may not be able to hit you, but YOU could be able to hit THEM.

ANYthing can be turned into an advantage if you can find a way to do it....you're young in the sport...just learn to fence first....the rest will come.

[Cupcake]

Honestly, I've never found being left handed to be a disadvantage. The only thing that gave me a hard time when I was first learning was the numbers of the parries, and even that was fixed in a matter of one lesson. Adding to what Purple Fencer said, it's not a disadvantage if you don't let it be, and if you play your cards correctly, being lefty can be to your advantage.

[Kylee]

Ahh, I see. I'm not normally a lefty though, so...I might be confused.

I am more worried about my height and weight I suppose. I know all we will be doing in class is Foil.

[slow_learner]

The best foilist in our club is a 13 year old girl about your size. Everyone jokes that she provides so little target--there is almost nothing to hit.

Add to that good, fast footwork and you have one difficult opponent. She is on track for the national team.

OTOH when you face one of those great big males, think of all that (relatively) slow moving target just waiting for your point...

Edit:
Oh, and that girl is a lefty!

[TBean]

You are learning something totally new in fencing - there is nothing to be confused about - so if you think you can make a go of it left-handed do so. I switched to left-handed fencing after 18 years due to injury, if I can make a credible go at fencing-left handed after all this time - trust me you can learn the sport that way the first go around.

At 4'11" not many people are going to recommend epee to you, although nothing is impossible. Foil or saber is where you will first be directed - given your size you will have target the size of a postage stamp.

[Fencer X and Y]

I am brand new to Fencing.

Which means, before my first lesson (yesterday) I was just sitting at home being a sponge and reading all I could on Fencing. I adore it, really.

I have been struggling with the fact of maybe being a left-hander. When I picked up the foil with my left it did not feel too awkward, and after awhile I got used to it. I'm deciding if I should just stay left-handed, since no one in my class is, I thought I would be different maybe? I don't know.

But the issue is that I am 4'11, weigh about 75Ib. Although very skinny, I am not in shape, as in me just being lazy for awhile. I plan do do leg exercises, I already have! I think I have pretty good reflexes, and I'm usually quick (I know I'd be more defensive). Is it wrong to be intimidated against all these tall males on the first day? I'm sure I will be greatly underestimated, and many might find my hilarious, but I want to prove them wrong...somehow...

I am worried I will have dis-advantages from my height, and being a lefty! Also, we are all starting off using foil, but I'm curious on if one would consider Epee or Sabre for me?

If you're not normally a lefty I wouldn't recomend it. If you know that you're ambidextrous then maybe. Otherwise it's not worth it. The only people who you'll have an advantage against will be beginners. Most advanced fencers should have figured out how to fence against a lefty a long time ago.

Being small could actually be an advantage in foil (maybe saber I don't know, never fenced that) but if you want to do epee you're probably out of luck. You'll have to learn how to put your small size to good use, but quite honestly tiny kids are probably my least feavorite people to fence with because of the lack of target. So don't think that just because you're small it will mean that you will be bad. In foil that's not true at all.

[Rock]

If you're in a beginning class, you're likely to get hit hard by partners that have a lot of mass, but not much control over it.

And, if you're in a beginning class, it's likely that you will not have efficient footwork and "situational awareness", and. unfortuntately be touched often.

The person with the long arm (me, for example) can get touches by simply outreaching/intimitating you - to START. BUT! there are advantages and disadvantages to every physical state/condition. If your coach has a comprehensive and analytical intructional approach, you will learn your own advantages and disadvantages. Then, the game of fencing will begin.

[Kylee]

Yea I hope I learn my advantages/disadvantages...since I know someone with a long enough reach can get to me, but I don't want to be too close. I have been reading, and maybe in foil by best bet are the lower areas on the target area, I forgot what they are called, and better footwork then the rest.

I want to surprise people, and not just become hopeless since my size and being lefty. Today is the day we are doing our first real fencing lesson, I will post back, and keep you updated!

[NeilNZ]

One of my friends is about your size and she is an extremely competent foilist. Really hard to hit her, but mainly because of her fast footwork! I know she can have issues covering ground to get attacks and whatnot, so relies on second intention ripostes to get hits, and they work well for her. It all becomes a game of tactics and strategy to take advantage of your particular attributes, in your case your size and leftiness, and in mine my supreme unfitness!!

[Kylee]

I will have to look into what you said, second intention riposte.

I had my first real lesson, and oww. I'm sore, but a lot of fun, and I surprised alot of people! However, why I was working on lunging, and I had a hard time hitting in the upper parts, I don't recall what they are called 4 & 6?

If anyone has any lefty or short people tips, I am up for it!

Any way I can increase fast footwork, besides the obvious practicing of walking back and forth?

[NeilNZ]

I would concentrate on what I can hit! As for footwork, there are lots of threads here on drills and such to get you going... remember that small steps are always better than big ones!

[RITFencing]

Kylee,

Welcome to fencing and f.net and all that good stuff.

Don't worry so much right now about what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what type of fencer you're going to become. If you pigeonhole yourself before you know much about the game, then you may end up shutting yourself off to things you never knew you could do.

The start of your career is a time to learn a lot of new things, get comfortable and acquaint yourself with the game. You will learn your strengths and weaknesses in time, some of which will seem obvious, and some of which may surprise you.

Then, years down the line, you get to throw it all away and find that you're ACTUALLY good at other things, and that you need to get good at something else to compliment your game. Lather, rinse and repeat. The do it all again, and again, and again.

[Kylee]

Okay,

After fencing for four hours today, I've realized several problems.
It's super hard to close the distance between someone. We haven't worked on learning distance yet and stuff.

Also, I have a very hard time parrying. We just learned the 4th one today, and seeing as I'm left handed, and everyone is right-handed. I'm lost. We were going against each other one by one. One had to defend whilst the other attacked. Defend, meaning using the 4th perry, and the other attacking in that area, the 4th one I beleive. I think...I'm still new and I could be way off.

Everyone kept saying I was hitting in the wrong spot or something! Their foils are on the left side of mine all the time, so how am I suppose to parry? I was never told to move my arm outward.

[RITFencing]

If you're a lefty and they are attacking to the left (outside) of your blade, then they are attacking in your sixth line. If you parry directly, it is a parry 6. If you want to do a fourth parry (ending with their blade inside of yours) against an attack to the outside, you must first circle your tip under and around their blade so that you are on the outside, then perform a normal fourth parry (striking the outside of their blade with the inside of yours, knocking it towards the right side.)

[Kylee]

Oh...I see. That seems alot more difficult then what the right-handers have to do.

So, if I was attacking them in that 4th target area, would the their left shoulder area, or right?

[NeilNZ]

remember that its just as awkward for a righty fencing a lefty! If you can get a one on one lesson with your coach I think it would clear up your issues straight away.

[TBean]

Oh...I see. That seems alot more difficult then what the right-handers have to do.

So, if I was attacking them in that 4th target area, would the their left shoulder area, or right?

Alternatively to accomplish the drill have your partner start with their blade inside yours. That way you do not have to do the circle disengage to execute the parry four - although from one lefty to another you have to do this a lot. With your blade on the outside you can take the lateral four parry, pushing their blade from left to right, when the point of their weapon is no longer a threat extend your arm (advance or lunge whatever your drill was) to hit them with your riposte. For the purposes of drilling, you can set the criteria for how to execute the action even if they are somewhat artificial - like having your partner attack with your blade outside of theirs. You will hit them on their chest, but closer to their left shoulder area. If you are hitting them on their right shoulder, it is a 6th parry.

It is not that much more difficult - in the same circumstances (your blade inside theirs) they will have to do the circle-disengage to execute a 6th parry, while you can just take the lateral parry and hit.

Given that you are all beginners, make sure to ask your coach to show you how it is supposed to look for the left-hander as well. You guys are not skilled enough to puzzle that out yet, so ask for clarification if you are running into troubles.