Fencing Noob Needs Info

[jeff]

You're quite welcome! It takes a little whilte to get through the jargon and technical terms, but it's very rewarding. Don't be shy to ask questions - either at your club/salle/class or here on this board.

Try not to worry too much at early stages about finessing right-of-way issues, and instead work on technique and basic bouting tactics.

When you _do_ think about right of way issues, remember that the original intent was to reward the fencer for actions that would help "hit without being hit" - and whoever provoked a double touch (like, by putting a stop thrust into a correctly executed attack) should be penalized. That's an idealization, which is not always adhered to in the sport, and there's frequent disagreement about what is a proper attack, etc, so there will be some thngs that will be confusing or seem inconsistent. Don't worry about it too much!

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by Flunge
I just called epee and sabre fencers curveballs. Is that an insult or compliment?

Given the difficulty of throwing a good curveball, I'd say it's in the ballpark of a compliment.

Now, calling us a "spitball"....

I might add to Jeff's PIL description...most directors will want you to be beyond "advance lunge" distance when you set up the point in line--as in "breaking distance" first. The PIL must be up and locked before the opponent's attack begins.

[Feanor]

Flunge,

Actually I think that "curveball" in the baseball context is a great compliment... Kind of like "Skyhook" or "Fading Jumper" in basketball as opposed to a Free Throw...

Now if you had said "Screwball" with no baseball affiliation... that would be different!

Feanor

[inventorriz]

In my opinion i hate foil i think its a bunch of crap I love epee in my opinion it is harder but it also hurts but do start with foil it helps epee skils

[Chris]

Originally posted by DHCJr
Unrated is actually the lowest. Of the Rated A is the highest and E is the lowest that is conferred by the USFA. Also a two digit code is added to the letter, signafying when the rating was earned. For seeding purpose a A03 is considered higher than an A02. Also those with FIE points are consider higher than A's. It is different from the rating in chess because it does not involve lowering someone's rating if they loose to someone lower. The rating is based on their best not on anything cumulative. If you want more on how each rating is earned, check the USFA web site USFencing.org under Info for Members and then Forms and finally Athlete Handbook.

Originally posted by CvilleFencer
Right... But his second Tourney was and open and he had to place higher than 2 C's and I believe a B to get his rank, and then lost to a C who I believe won his B in that one (I did not stay till the end).

I am not saying that a Saber fencer who was ranked high enough could not have done the same thing, but Carl has been fencing for not quite a year and now has his D in both weapons. I agree that it is mostly because he is a great fencer, but I think a saber fencer would have a harder time.

I am not saying that saber is horrible to start with or anything... but I will say it was horrible to start with for me. I started out fencing saber way back in Jr. High and I am still trying to put bad habits aside! I do not think it is the best weapon to start with because:
1. It is more expensive to start out.
2. It focus' on tempo more than Row (at least that is how it gets called in my neck of the woods)
3. The first time you whack someone if foil by reflex you run the risk of being carded.
4. The footwork does not translate well, what with no fleche and all.
5. Foil tends to teach a ligther touch, better point control (got to have for epee) and more patience IMHO.
6. Begginers doing bad saber can be painful if not outright dangerous. I have had blood drawn trying to teach nebies control in saber, and I cant see that happening with foil!

As to the extra target area being the difference, that is what the person in question credits. Not bashing on saber, just trying to clarify myself.

OK, not that I WANT to be A.R., but if you are talking to a newbie, rememeber that they can quite often take you verbatim, so you should take care to use the right words:

Under the USFA system:
Fencers are classified, (or unclassified);
Tournaments are rated; not the other way around.

To be "Ranked" means that you are at/near the top of the National Points List/standings (which may include age-group points list):

For the Senior category (i.e. 'grown-up', NOT senior citizens.) being ranked means you are in the top 24 on the US list; for all other age-group categories, the number is lower, but really only applies when competing in other events in the same age-group.

What Don said about letter/year codes is correct, except that the word is classification.

Hope that was clear.

Have a nice day!

[Sarah]

inventorriz-
Why do you hate foil? Do you hat ethe people who fence foil? Do you think that they're stupid? (I'm improvising because I'm not alloud to say the word that you said) Well, that kind of hurts my feelings because I LOVE foil, and I've fenced epee almost as long as I've fenced foil. I decided to stop fencing eppe because it messes up my foil. I don't hate epee, I just don't find it as invigerating as foil. (but I loved getting to hit hard in epee, and hittling toes, I'm great at toes!)

To answer your question YoshotheGrand:

I'd fence foil first, it'll give you the basics.

[inventorriz]

No the people who fence foil there cool i just hate epee i think that foil has to many rules and i like to hit the foot and wrist i am short too so in epee i have advanages

[Sarah]

oh, ok. alls well that ends well!