big guy interested in fencing

[Cyrus]

Hi everyone. I've been interested in fencing for a long time but never had the opertunity to try it. Now that i'm in college I'm sure that i could find somewhere to learn, the only problem is that I'm a big guy. I'm 6'0" tall and weigh around 260 pounds but i am also fast and fairly flexible. So what should i do...are there any big guys in fencing. and if there are and i can fence which class would be best suited for me based on my specifications? Thanks ahead of time for any help.

sorry i don't know my conversions and i know alot of people on the boards don't use the same system of mesures regularly

[epeemike81]

you should definitely fence. clearly, your footspeed will be reduced due to your weight, which will be a disadvantage, but I have that same problem and have managed to overcome it to a fairly good degree. Obviously, I would suggest you drop some weight, but you can certainly fence with your current weight.

[D'Artagnan1673]

To an extent, and only for a while, your size will work to your advantage. I can speak from experience that I have taken bigger guys for granted when coming up to fence them. I was quickly taken aback at just how fast the guy could move.

Fence just for the fun of it!

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Cyrus:

The conventional wisdom is that big folks fence sabre, tall bean-pole folks fence epee, and little skinny, quick folks fence foil.

These are gross generalities not always borne out in the real world, but you do see some validity to it on the strip.

Sabre tends to reward the attacker, not someone dancing around trying to counter-attack. As such, a big guy rumbling down the strip at you at full speed can be intimidating...use it to your advantage.

Just remember (clears throat and looks around for epeemike) in sabre, you're not allowed to run into your competitor. Unlike epee, where some "collisions" are allowed, in sabre and foil, even incidental contact draws a penalty.

So rumble away. As a big guy, pay extra attention to staying centered over your feet, and dont let yourself lean too far forward as you attack and lunge. The more centered you stay, the quicker you can move forwards and backwards.

[broncofencer]

In our college club we have to guys who not only match but excede your current measurements. I myself hit 6'4" and 265lbs and fence all three weapons during the year. Another guy here is 6'5"ish and probably 290 or more, and he only fences epee. Let me tell you there is nothing scarier than trying to stop a mac truck with a metal stick especially when said truck fleshes at you.

Granted both of us have extensive athletic experience in other sports. Not that this emplies we are in shape (stupid beer). I have often found however, that fencing comes easier to people who haven't had much intrest in sports prior to fencing.

What college are you at most have clubs like mine that will teach you but some are hard to find if you don't where to look and who to talk to.

[Cyrus]

I'm at auburn university...I'm not sure if there is a club on campus but I know the GTA for my psycology class was a fencing instructor before he moved down here...so i plan on talking to him...I figure he might know if there is a club on campus or of one nearby

[kini mini]

Hi Cyrus

I'm 183cm tall ( 6 ft I think), and 86kg or so...about 190 pounds. I've been fencing foil for 3 years and I don't find that my size really hinders me. More my lack of hand-eye coordination . Seriously, I'd have a go at fencing if I were you - foil does seem to favour those who are quick on their feet, but at the beginner's level it probably doesn't matter. Foil seems to me to be a good way to start off as you learn about right of way, which might be difficult if you were to start with epee.

[rats_foiled_agn]

Cyrus,
I'm about your size and have banged up knees from various contact and racquet sports. I've been fencing for about 8 months and find that the methodical footwork practice has really strengthened my knees and given me confidence that something isnt going to spring or pop everytime I get on the strip. Quickness and hand eye coordination will take you far in the beginning but as you start competing endurance also becomes important (and as with most sports and martial arts, no matter how much you think you know, someone else always seems to know just a little more).

I think having experience with a variety of sports actually helps. Little things like watching your opponent for tendencies and weaknesses are a common theme in many sports. Being able to both plan attacks and to quickly react to responses is also important (i.e. fakes, counters, etc).

The one thing I found, being larger, is that you may need to make investments in equipment sooner than average size fencers. When I started taking lessons the largest jacket available for lesson use was a 44 (which is a ways from the 52 I needed). So I ordered my own jacket right away (depending on the size of your club you may not have this issue but fair warning). Make sure that your supplier knows your actual measurements so they can recommend the proper size equipment. Most of the larger fencers I have met have had gear custom made. I'm planning to do the same once I'm sure of what I want.

Other than that, have fun and dont get discouraged. At this point I still think of every bout as a learning experience.

Good luck

Rat

[Cyrus]

thanks everyone...as of now I'm in the process of looking for a club nearby...might have to put my search on hold for a while considering I wrecked my truck saturday night. Hit a deer hoping that the'll total it cause i know if they try to fix it it'll never be right again.

[Chris]

Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673
To an extent, and only for a while, your size will work to your advantage. I can speak from experience that I have taken bigger guys for granted when coming up to fence them. I was quickly taken aback at just how fast the guy could move. (snip)

Well, when you are bigger, there's certain more of you to get hit!

As indicated, it's not always necessary to be faster than your opponent: just faster than they think you are!

Originally posted by broncofencer
(snip) I myself hit 6'4" and 265lbs and fence all three weapons during the year. Another guy here is 6'5"ish and probably 290 or more, and he only fences epee. Let me tell you there is nothing scarier than trying to stop a mac truck with a metal stick especially when said truck fleshes at you.

As a guys who is 6'1" and 240-250 lbs, I can say that there's something kind of scary about a gal who is 5'4" ~125 lb, who's NOT afraid of me jumping in her face behind a epee!

Granted both of us have extensive athletic experience in other sports. (snip)

My 2 cents worth is that if you have some significant experience 'tracking in' ballistic objects (i.e. catching baseball/softball, tennis, playing goalie in, say soccer, hockey, lacrosse, or evening playing lacrosse, or even ultimate frisbee, or jai-alai ) that this skill may be very easily adaptable, and highly useful in developing defensive reactions in fencing, though, I imagine, if you are actively involved in the other activity while learning fencing, this might lessen the benefit, by confusing your perception during the adaptation/learning phase.

And rememeber, fencing is a fun game, but it isn't about how strong you are!

As for club on campus,

http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/s...on/sorgan.html indicates that they do, although that may not be totally current: it doesn't seem to be listed at http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/a...gs.html#sports

Have fun,
Good Luck!

[Cyrus]

I noticed the same thing...so i went to the place responsible for keeping up with all of it...but they weren't open...so i plan on checking again monday