Time to Take This Seriously

[Inquartata]

My point is though, crappy clubs seem so preoccupied with safety measures, dress code, practising saluting, knowing that the length of the blade is 90cm etc. that they don't actually worry about, you know, fencing.

Mine is more concerned with holding meetings, group exercise sessions and horseplay than with fencing. Preoccupation with safety measures, dress codes and rules would be an improvement.

To heck with shin guards...try this[/URL].

Pfft. This is what you want: http://www.goldendwarf.com/products/milanese-greaves

Also, anyone who can "fence just fine" in jeans is not fencing well to begin with.

So not true! They would be more than adequate for epee fencing, up to and including the Olympics.

[Dev]

I was recently given a socks-related ultimatum at my club: Before the next practice I was to either put on long socks or visit a tanning salon.

I think that was for the safety of everyone's retinas.

[parrythis]

Let's start there.

What sports do you think people recognize as "real" sports?

Much like someone else said,

Basketball
Baseball
Soccer
Football
Hockey

Good list. Looking at it, a few things come to mind when looking to differentiate them from fencing.

These sports all have teams that represent a region. They provide a medium for regional pride to be represented. In essence, the people from the region that the team represents "own" the team. It is "their" team. It is something they can be proud of, be disappointed in, talk about at work, watch on TV, etc. Fencing is not like that. It is, for the most part, individuals, who happen to be from a particular place, but do not necessarily represent that place.

These sports are all team sports. Fencing is, again - for the most part, an individual sport. For whatever reason, people value team sports over individual ones. While motor racing, golf, boxing, tennis, etc. all have their followers, none of those sports made it into your list. They are not as "real" as the ones you listed.

Advertising. (Oops, did I say a dirty word?) "Real" sports sell advertising. They are popular enough that advertisers are willing to pay to bring the show to an even larger audience, which in turn helps the sport to become more popular. It's not about seeing the competitors eyes through the mask, or flashy lights, or anything like that. Sports that can bring advertisers into the mix will be more popular.

Gambling. I once read an essay that was exploring the definition of the term "sport" and whether motor racing was, in fact, a sport. Lots of people try to define what is a sport by the amount of athleticism required to do it. The person that wrote the essay boiled down to simplest terms - anything you can bet on can be considered to be a sport. While there are some things we could bet on that wouldn't fit well with our traditional concept of what a sport is, the fundamental concept is correct. The ability to gamble on a sport increases its perception as a "real" sport.

I agree, in concept, with every one of your suggestions. They are all intended to make the sport better. I would love to see more consistent interpretation and application of the rules. I always practice in full gear, but not everyone does this in order to compete.

Bear in mind, however, that those kinds of changes will not alter the public's perception that fencing is a niche, possibly elite sport. What makes for a "real" sport is defined by other things.

[Palisadeur]

I was recently given a socks-related ultimatum at my club: Before the next practice I was to either put on long socks or visit a tanning salon.

I think that was for the safety of everyone's retinas.

Would white socks really make a difference?


I too was given such an ultimatum, but the alternative was a razor, not a tanning salon...

[Dev]

Would white socks really make a difference?

Apparently white socks are less offensive than white skin. Seems arbitrary to me.

[KD5MDK]

They're less reflective.

[HOT Fencing Club]

If your club didn't specify that they have to be white, you could always go for some from Ashi-Dashi. WOW, ha ha.

[HOT Fencing Club]

Thanks for the input, guys!

Today I started teaching the kids a little of the card system. They felt very powerful wielding their yellowcards. Oddly, a few of them tried to card themselves, and I think they even tried to card me. We had a lot of good laughs. X)

[rcmatthews]

Rebel, I can't rep you so someone else should. By the way, how's the navy treating you?

[Alexander Kai]

Thanks for the input, guys!

Today I started teaching the kids a little of the card system. They felt very powerful wielding their yellowcards. Oddly, a few of them tried to card themselves, and I think they even tried to card me. We had a lot of good laughs. X)

I actually bought some "cards" at the NAC, simple pieces of hydro carbon, but honestly, I think they'll be useful at club meetings.

There's also a cell phone ap for the droid and or iphone that changes the screen color so you can use it to give cards.

[oiuyt]

There's also a cell phone ap for the droid and or iphone that changes the screen color so you can use it to give cards.

Just as a note, this isn't all that useful in a tournament setting where one of the purposes of holding up the card is to indicate to spectators behind the referee what is happening.

-B

[Allen Evans]

Isn't that what the iPhone Facebook ap is for????

[prototoast]

I too was given such an ultimatum, but the alternative was a razor, not a tanning salon...

Man, fencers can't make up their minds--I got made fun of for shaving my legs.

[foibles]

Fencing will never be recognized as a serious sport so long as it continues to embrace that Triangle of Shame which is the Cuissard.

[Inquartata]

Well, it always frightens the clergy.

[Inquartata]

Apparently white socks are less offensive than white skin. Seems arbitrary to me.

You could just get the Nike swoosh tattooed on both calves.

[Dev]

It's either that or "Consumer Whore."

[Alexander Kai]

Just as a note, this isn't all that useful in a tournament setting where one of the purposes of holding up the card is to indicate to spectators behind the referee what is happening.

-B

You're right there, and Allen, kind of right, but I don't own an iphone, so that's problematic. The score keeper for the droid is decent though, at least on a bout to bout basis.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Your confusion confuses me. What about that action was not Luperi's attack*?

*semantic arguments about how it might be parses as a remise aside.

My only confusion was about where my avatar went. I understand the action.