The One Thing For Foil

[j4gg3d3dg399]

Im not a coach or anything just a fencer but here is an idea... When i first began we would work on the regular footwork and parry 4 and 6 and of course the famous LUNGE! But instead of our coach getting us ready for an actual competition we did a fun one with a club that he knew and they knew him really well, so what I'm kinda saying on the competition part, mabye try one with a club that you are pretty close to and that you know and they know you well enough to do this for fun... Don't be one of those people who get hooked up on the ratings (no offense to anyone). Just an Idea

--
Blake

[Indy4ever]

Thats not actually a bad idea. Stageing a mini competition would help them learn how the competition works and what to expect. there is absolutely nothing more annoying than encountering a beginner who doesnt know where he has to be, or how to do things properly on the piste. if you are going to lose, you may as well lose efficiently and without annoying people. And, of course, all the other benefits of having a competition.

[wflaschka]

If there's only one thing then it has to be distance. Lots of things happen with good distance:

- parries work better

- attacks reach target without going passe or stopping short

- fencer has more time to see what's going on, so the bout is less mysterious

- fencer is all-around harder to hit

Many times new fencers get frustrated because the bout is seemingly over before it starts, and they don't know what happened. If they add 25% to their normal distance, then the fencing will last longer (they won't get steamrolled) and they'll have more of a chance to get in the groove. Very raw beginners will still lose, but at least it will feel more like fighting.

So my vote is for distance!

[Wizardly]

That is pretty much how my clubs first tournament went - a mini-tourney with another club, also young beginners. I liked the idea and still think it's great. Not as much pressure, rules are more relaxed, and it lets them figure out what works, what doesn't, and why, with less pressure on them. Nobody 20 years older or five times as good is going to clobber them mercilessly.

What to instill
- attack the body, not the blade
- foil/epee is scored with the point
- extend before lunge, don't pump the arm
- don't fall down
- parry before riposte
- move! distance!
- controlled parries; not windshield wiper or whack-and-flail
- don't drop the guard

It's amazing how everyone can be doing everything pretty much correctly until actual competition - then everything goes out the window. Not for everyone, not all the of the time, but nerves seem to unhinge newbies.

[swordsen]

hmmmm I tend to be of the school that tells beginers they are going to get creamed in their first tournament. Then I tell them that it doesn't matter because the first tournament is just that, the first tournamnet. There will be others and you will start winning them as you gain experience. Remember what you do that works, remember what doesn't work and remember what your opponent did to hit you.

Usually works.

It has been my unfortunate experience that many people who go out and do well in their first tournament tend to get very complacent. They will often not work out as hard, or practice as much then those who do begin to cream them and they quit.

[Talyn]

Originally posted by Wizardly

- attack the body, not the blade

Im actually really surprised by the numbers of beginners who think the idea of fencing is to whack the other person blade.

Its kinda funny when u disengage and their hard beats touch nothing but the air.

[big poppa]

Wow i posted this three almost four years ago . How time flies when you fence foil. well what have learned since then:
Distance is king
attack the body , not the blade ( this is a hard one)
footwork makes all things possible.
epee helps teach distance
Sabre helps to teach defense against flicks and great
footwork.
there is no easy way or quick way to teach fencing.
at some level it has to be fun.