help for competition

[UnidentifiedFencerOnline]

i have a competition in the weekend and i've only been fencing foil for about a year.
any tips?

PLEASE!

[SJCFU#2]

You might want to read this thread (including the guide linked in the first post) and this guide.

[UnidentifiedFencerOnline]

WOW! thanks a lot.
that does help =)

[Purple Fencer]

WOW! thanks a lot.
that does help =)

Not a problem....that's what I wrote it for...I probably should look at an update, tho...been awhile since I did the last one.

[hulaz]

First of all, have fun! Fencing competitions are huge fun, and - in my opinion - by far the best way to spend the weekend. Also at your second, third and 20th competition. Also when you spend most of your weekends fencing.

At my first couple of tournaments I found myself thinking - "I wish they'd told me that" a lot, but I really can't remember any of it at the moment. But I've worked in some sort of routine where I bring the same things, do the same warm-up and stuff like that, it helps when the surroundings, the people, the schedule and the form of the competition is different. It works for me. You might find this useless, since a) I compete in Europe, and have no idea how things work in the US and b) we all have individual preferences. But...

- At my first tournament I liked having a clubmate on the sideline, not for coaching, but to provide some sort of safety.
- I had (and still have) trouble eating "real" food during a tournament - don't know why - so smoothies and the like has been my solution during smal breaks. Actually I primarily eat pasta and fruit (like grapes, bananas, raisins) during a tournament weekend.
- I'll repeat the common piece of advice "don't argue", but still I've found most refs very tolerant towards especially new fencers who don't understand the call. I know the rules quite well by now, and if I disagree with the call, I ask politely for an explanation. It changes nothing, but it gives you an idea on how the referee sees an action. I'd avice you to adjust your fencing to the referee's definitions. It has helped me a lot to use the calls in my own favour, in stead of getting frustrated.
- (This should be obvious, but to me it wasn't.) A fencer is not nescessarily better than you because he is from another country.
- Don't panic. At my first major tournament I was really freaked out by all the sounds, all the people, all the chaos. My experience is that people are generally very helpful if you have questions or need help.
- Stay warm in between bouts.
- When after a poule you are asked to sign the scoring sheet, do yourself a favour and check the results before signing. Referees do make mistakes!
- Before leaving home, make sure you've brought everything. It's too stupid to find out you've forgotten some of your equipment, and even if you're able to borrow from somebody, it causes unnescessary stress.
- Again, have fun!!!!! Compete, fence your best, be ready for every single bout - but never loose the joy from fencing.

- Oh, and - bring cash! Both for entry and other potential expences - just in case! (Again - this might be different in the US!)

[chase]

Sign up for as many tournaments as you can right now. That way you won't feel like any of them are a big deal so you won't panic and fence your'e best.