New to Fencing :[ Planning to Start in HS

[timobxsci]

I live in Queens, NY. And I adore fencing. I've never fenced before and it's just fascinating. I really want to fence and I'm entering HS this September where they have a Fencing Team (Bronx Science). I already signed up for Junior Varsity. I'm wondering what do I need to know about fencing? How long will it take for me to become good? And also, anything I can do to prepare? Sorry...there are really no fencing clubs around here...Should I watch videos or something?

[TBean]

You mean besides the 19 fencing clubs that make up the Metropolitan NY Division - I did not even check Northern Jersey. While they might not be in your neighborhood, there is fencing - probably - not unreasonably far from you. If you are that interested talk to your folks about seeing if the nearest club to you offers a summer class and give it whirl. If you enjoy watching fencing, by all means watch, but remember those are athletes with years and years of experience, and what they can do is not what you will be doing - yet. The heartening thing to keep in mind when you start your training is, once upon a time, they were beginners too.

How long does it take to get good - that is impossible to answer. A lot depends on how much time and effort you put into training, the quality of your coach, the quality of your team mates, your ability to grasp the sport - too many things we don't have answers to for us to make that assessment.

[Short_Stuff]

TBean is right there's a ton of fencing clubs in NY.
As far as what to know... everything. Or as much as possible. Just learn as much as possible to begin with. Even if you don't have a blade you can always work on footwork. Try to get into a class or something.
Getting good will take a while...a long while. But you know what they say. Time flies when you're having fun.
Good luck!

[Empty Wallet]

There is a club in 57th street, Woodside, Queens. Oddly, it is called the Woodside Fencing Center, so this may be a good place to contact about beginner stuff.

http://www.woodsidefencing.com/main.php

The only time I have knowingly been to Queens was to use LaGuardia airport.

To continue for TBean's comment, this is the link to the NY Metro Division list of clubs.

http://www.metrodivision.com/clubs.html

Now go an do footwork, lots of good quality footwork

[Applesauce and Foils]

This person doesn't even know what footwork is yet, y'all!

A link for the OP, if they're still around:

http://www.sgfencing.com/how-to-move-in-fencing.html

Wow, I must really like this link. I ran a google search for it and found my own post. LOL!

And stretch. That's the best advice I have for preparing. Stretch legs especially! You'll be glad you did.

AF

[RedDinosaur]

Eh...I'm not sure if your link works

This person doesn't even know what footwork is yet, y'all!

A link for the OP, if they're still around:

http://www.sgfencing.com/how-to-move-in-fencing.html

Wow, I must really like this link. I ran a google search for it and found my own post. LOL!

And stretch. That's the best advice I have for preparing. Stretch legs especially! You'll be glad you did.

AF

[Applesauce and Foils]

NOT MY PRECIOUS LINK! You're right. Hmm, sorry for posting a broken link. It was definitely there before. If the OP comes back or someone else wants to hear it, I'll give an outline of what the article said. I know it pretty much by heart. (I was deprived of a coach at the time.)

AF

[RedDinosaur]

NOT MY PRECIOUS LINK! You're right. Hmm, sorry for posting a broken link. It was definitely there before. If the OP comes back or someone else wants to hear it, I'll give an outline of what the article said. I know it pretty much by heart. (I was deprived of a coach at the time.)

AF

I'm deprived of a coach... XD Care to share?

[Applesauce and Foils]

Sure! I will break it down into small pieces so I can remember it. I don't know how much you know, so forgive me if I'm oversimplifying. Maybe it will help a noob if it doesn't help you.

Stand with both feet together.
If you're right handed, rotate your left foot out 90 degrees from the heel. (This is the position of attention.)

Take a small step forward with your right(front) foot.
Bend your knees so that your weight is evenly distributed over both feet. Knees should not pass the toes. I like for knees to be right over the arch.

Pick up the toes of the front foot.
Extend the front leg, and land on heel, pull yourself forward.
Pick up back foot and place it down at the same time as toes on front foot hit.

Important things: move from the knees, not the thighs. Don't try to pick up your whole leg and put it down, just unbend that front leg and land on the heel.

The article emphasized the importance of lifting the toes before moving, to avoid tripping at high speeds.

Retreat is basically the same. Lift back foot and place it back down all at once, lift toes of front foot, push off, land on heel, toes down.

I find that the "heel first" technique leads to a nice rolling speed. I don't think I've ever tripped either, now that I think about it!

AND by the way- the lunge is the same way! So many people try to lift their leg into a lunge position from the very beginning (bent knee flying through the air), or land stiff-legged in front. Just unbend your front knee, then PUSH from the back leg, let gravity take you, land on the heel, and the knee will bend into the proper position.

Hope it helps!
AF

[fdad]

I live in Queens, NY. And I adore fencing. I've never fenced before and it's just fascinating. I really want to fence and I'm entering HS this September where they have a Fencing Team (Bronx Science). I already signed up for Junior Varsity. I'm wondering what do I need to know about fencing? How long will it take for me to become good? And also, anything I can do to prepare? Sorry...there are really no fencing clubs around here...Should I watch videos or something?

Since you are planning on fencing for a NYC public school, you will fence foil. There are several great fencing clubs in Manhattan, Fencers Club and Empire United both have very strong foil coaches.

You should look at:
http://www.fencersclub.com/
http://www.fencersclub.com/slides/PSAL_Announcement.pdf

You can become an above average HS fencer in a reasonably short time. But you should start taking lessons as soon as possible. You might also consider one of the many summer fencing camps.

[fdad]

There is a club in 57th street, Woodside, Queens. Oddly, it is called the Woodside Fencing Center, so this may be a good place to contact about beginner stuff.

http://www.woodsidefencing.com/main.php

The only time I have knowingly been to Queens was to use LaGuardia airport.

To continue for TBean's comment, this is the link to the NY Metro Division list of clubs.

http://www.metrodivision.com/clubs.html

Now go an do footwork, lots of good quality footwork

I must admit, I haven't seen anyone that belongs to this club at any competition.

[Sins of the Fleche]

Reading can help, at least it did some for me. It can let you know what to expect early on and also get you thinking about which of the three weapons you are most interested in taking up (unless you learn it traditionally, where you are taught foil first then move to the other 2).

When I first decided to take it up, a friend of mine lent me a book of his called "Fencing: Technique Foil, Epée & Sabre" by B. Pitman. It gives a walk through of each weapon, with basic attacks, defenses, ripostes, and footwork for each. Reading's not gonna make you Zorro when your first lesson comes, but it might give you a better understanding of what to expect, or at least you can pick up on some of the lingo for when you start.

But good luck with your fencing, and I hope you enjoy it.





PS: By the way, pick epee. I'm not biased, I swear.

[fdad]

PS: By the way, pick epee. I'm not biased, I swear.

NYC PSAL Fencing is foil only.