Fencing Drill Equipment

[Slavheart]

So I've managed to hang a golf ball, tennis ball, racquet ball, etc for point control drills. But, for the life of me I cannot find simple metal rings of various sizes. I've tried several hardware stores....whenever I ask for "s-i-m-p-l-e m-e-t-a-l r-i-n-g-s," they give me a knowing smirk like I'm really looking for BDSM equipment. "Well, what are you gonna use THOSE for?"

Does anyone have any suggestions for where to find some simple metal rings or hoops???????

While we're on the subject, what other types of equipment is anyone using for home practice/drills and how did you rig it?

Thanks!

[DHCJr]

Have you thought of washers. You will be surprised how big they can be, but you may have to go to a larger hardware supply store that deals with industrial applications. Also if you don't mind them being a little flexible, plumbing washers also are available. Also at a construction, many times pipes are not exactly the right length so they have to do some cutting. Ask for the cuttings.

Another idea, I made a blade holder out of a 6" plastic pipe, one end I used a permanent cap to seal off one end, but on the other I used a rubber cap, that is held together with a metal ring that is adjustable with a screwdriver. Check a plumbin store to see what the rings look like and ask if they just sell the ring. They do break, so there is a need for replacements. What is even better, it is adjustable. As you get better, you can take a screwdriver and make it smaller.

[Inquartata]

I've seen them in assorted sizes in hardware stores like Ace. Failing that you might try a farming supply store or saddlery...ot a leatherworking or crafts store.

OTOH you might try using those split keyrings.

[Purple Fencer]

Or just go to your local porno store...you won't gett he knowing wink there!

Donald...check your PMs and call me at my office #

[MikeHarm]

Buy some cheap metal pipe and use a hacksaw to slice rings off of it. Voila, all the metal rings you could ask for.

[WJM]

never tried to get any, but perhaps a magic supply store? They use various kinds of rings and hoops. I know there is at least one in the Chicago area, and I'm sure other metro areas have some about someplace as well. Also, I'd guess you could easily buy them online, a google search for magic supply found www.magicsupply.com (imagine that). I bet you could amaze your friends and family when you weren't practicing...or at least irritate them a great deal....or perhaps you could even find a new niche in the sport, magic fencing! Amaze opponents with the flick to the back from underneath, between the legs of your opponents (practice carefully)....score touches in epee from several feet away! use your ring practice to pass your blade THROUGH the opponent's parry 5..pull furry woodland animals out of your mask! pull your body cord out of your sleeve, only to reveal an endless stream of other body cords, all tied on to the last one!

[Repechage]

A crafts and sewing center will have rings galore.

[Chris]

Originally posted by Slavheart
So I've managed to hang a golf ball, tennis ball, racquet ball, etc for point control drills. But, for the life of me I cannot find simple metal rings of various sizes. I've tried several hardware stores....whenever I ask for "s-i-m-p-l-e m-e-t-a-l r-i-n-g-s," they give me a knowing smirk like I'm really looking for BDSM equipment. "Well, what are you gonna use THOSE for?"

Does anyone have any suggestions for where to find some simple metal rings or hoops???????

While we're on the subject, what other types of equipment is anyone using for home practice/drills and how did you rig it?

Thanks!

S'

Don't bother screwing around with the tennis ball, and hoops and rings. At this point in your development, you'd do better to use a simple point pad, easy enough to throw together:

Get some string, a small, flat piece of plywood (or even a hunk of 2"x4" beam if that's all you can lay your hands on), 2 (or more) old LONG terri-cloth sweat socks. Fold one of the socks into 1/2 or 1/3 (depending on size), and stick it to board with tape, or by wrapping with string or rubber bands. Slide assembly into the other sock, and tie knot to keep it in there. Tie string around the sock between the knot and the board, and now you can hang it from a coat hook (you can even buy removable over the door hanger for ~ $1 any number of places), or even from a door knob (in a pinch).

(You can also wrap the whole thing with duck tape, if you're into that sort of thing!

If NECESSARY, you can mark out circles, or zones on it, BUT, IMNHO, most beginers are wasting their time with the tennis ball/golf ball thing: you will never fence an opponent who moves that way.
What you need to do is practice lunging, and moving in a smooth more controlled fashion, so that your upper body is more stable, and not distract yourself prematurely trying to hit some unreal moving target, which will just get you moving your upper body more.

In other words,
Before you learn to hit things by moving your hand, learn to hit things WITHOUT moving your hand.

Additionally, practice advance lunges towards it, so that, ultimately, you can learn EXACTLY how far
away that is. (Of course, the more you practice it, the better & farther you will be able to do it, so this may take a while.) The idea is that you want to be able to tell if something is close enough to hit, just by lookng at it, and not by feeling your way around with the blade, which tends to give your opponent a pretty good idea if you can hit it, too!

See you around!

[remise]

Guys - Don't kill me or anything, but when I got into armory I began experimenting with all kinds of stuff....fiberglass to protect younger fencers from older ones, and I'd drill quarters and hang them from delicate chains for point control. Once the fencer felt comfortable clinking the quarter, I'd drill a nickel, then, finally, I'd hang up a dime.

When my son saw the dime hanging from the chain he thought I'd lost it. Nevertheless, there were a lot of fencers lined up to see if they could hit it.

[Chris]

Originally posted by remise
Guys - Don't kill me or anything, but when I got into armory I began experimenting with all kinds of stuff....fiberglass to protect younger fencers from older ones, and I'd drill quarters and hang them from delicate chains for point control. Once the fencer felt comfortable clinking the quarter, I'd drill a nickel, then, finally, I'd hang up a dime.

When my son saw the dime hanging from the chain he thought I'd lost it. Nevertheless, there were a lot of fencers lined up to see if they could hit it.

Don't get me wrong, I am sure it can be helpful thing to do, and given enough time, anyone without some sort of motor-control problem can learn to hit anything, and certainly, if you're stuck inside in the winter, and don't have much room, well have at it, but I just feel that a beginner OVER-emphasisizing hitting such a small target is really 'putting the cart before the horse'.

[Inquartata]

Or perhaps the quarte before the horse...

[Purple Fencer]

Originally posted by Inquartata
Or perhaps the quarte before the horse...

Bad sabre fencer...bad, BAD sabre fencer!

[Catlady]

I think the small metal rings you are looking for are technically called gromets (yes, believe it or not as in Wallace and Gromet, the hilarious imho cartoon). If you ask for them by this name you may have more success. Also, have you considered looking for small rubber rings, like the ones in vacuum cleaners, --I think you call them belts, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment? We used to use those around my club for drills. I believe you can buy those at the grocery store.