I'm new to fencing and also to this site. So far so good haha.. As far as I'm concerned fencing is the most fun a girl can have with 3 layers of clothing on.
I only started fencing a few months ago, but I can't help but feel sometimes that I'm too much of a "girl" when fencing.. even though I despise what that implies to most people. What I mean is that I sometimes freak out or am not aggressive enough in my attacks, depending on how much coffee I've had. I KNow I'm not going to get hurt and even so, I've got plenty of scars that I'm proud of from basketball and cutting glass and just being plain clumsy. On the other hand I find that fencing is a HUGe thrill.. So.. any suggestions on how to "calm down"? I feel like I almost go cross eyed when things get really intense, and then i just kind of flail?
One of my coaches once compared a new female fencer's style to fighting. This woman fences like her life depends on it. As a result, she was constantly tense and stiff. Tell yourself that fencing is not like fighting. You are not going to get hurt (nor do you get to hurt your opponent). The equipment in your hand is not a weapon. After each bout, take a few minutes to play back what happened and decide what you're going to do differently next time. Focus on the techniques and not on the score. Make your parries tight and crisp and follow up with a riposte. Remember to use your feet as well as your hand/arm.
Another thing you can do is to plan ahead. It's easy to panic when you're just reactingto your opponent. However, if you execute a planned attack, then you will be in control and less likely to go "cross eyed". Try to have an attack planned about half of the time and see how that works for you.
I think that everyone's a little tense in the beginning (including me), and I haven't really noticed it until more rookies joined the team this year (male AND female). But, after a while they got the hang of it. I'm still working on relaxing my shoulders, since they still tend to tense up when I'm nervous.
What has been helping me a lot is spending a good amount of time stretching after warm-up, as well as doing yoga a couple times per week. Mental preparation is extremely important in fencing (or any sport), which requires a lot of precision; and you can't be precise and controlled if you're panicking the whole time. Also, like Fiat Slug said, don't take it so seriously, and think of it as a game instead of a fight. People tend to become less nervous when they're having fun.
I would also advise against having too much caffeine, as it does dehydrate, particularly when wearing all those layers of clothing. Eating a lot of complex carbs before practice is probably better, as it will last you throughout the day and won't make you jittery (not so good for relaxation btw) or crash at the end of the day.
it's been about a month and I've been fencing more and things have gotten a lot better.. i do have a habit of apologizing for hitting people, but i'm sure my conscience will dull over time.
and vite.. coffee is my only friend at 8AM which is when my class is.. I've tried to kick the java habit and there are no excuses.. but i do drink at least a 2 to 1 ratio of water to coffee. i think that gives me a unique urgent style to my fencing.
and i might try sabre? so far it's only been foil.. is sabre somehow more aggressive? i suppose i should check that out.
et Fiat.. is there a good amount of fencing opportunities up in SJ? down south it's pretty sparse..
Glad to hear you're getting a feel for it. Although, your conscience in general shouldn't necessarily suffer in order to fence, unless of course you're a pirate, though pirates these days wield firearms.
On the coffee thing, I completely understand though, since I'm a student as well who also has early classes. I only take caffeine on non-fencing days, or just make sure not to have any 4 hours before practice. As long as you don't mind having to peel off layers of fencing clothes (assuming you wear everything) in order to relieve yourself of feeling "urgent," then do as you wish
A. it's been about a month and I've been fencing more and things have gotten a lot better.. i do have a habit of apologizing for hitting people, but i'm sure my conscience will dull over time.
B. and i might try sabre? so far it's only been foil.. is sabre somehow more aggressive? i suppose i should check that out.
C. et Fiat.. is there a good amount of fencing opportunities up in SJ? down south it's pretty sparse..
A. I still apologize when I hit people, mostly when I hit them under the bib/close to the throat and on the mask.
B. Please try all of the weapons if you can. A really competitive but tiny foil fencer that weighs about 90 lbs can fence me to the ground.
C. Yes, there are a lot of fencing opportunities in the Bay Area, not just San Jose.
Either way, TRY ALL THE WEAPONS, find which one you like most
__________________ In Flanders fields the poppies grow - Between the crosses, row on row, - That mark our place, and in the sky, - The larks, still bravely singing, fly, - Scarce heard amid the guns below. ~John McCrae
hah
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