How long to a 'D' or 'C' classification?

[corinna2u]

Here is the deal...I had a really long pow-wow with two coaches last night. I posed the question: Where do you figure they will be at 2004 nationals? (They being the two beginner fencers in our household.)

One said: At least a very solid 'D'. (Meaning, at D and under tournaments, they should be medaling in the top four.)

The other said: At least a 'D' but probably a 'C'. (Meaning, probably earned the 'C', but will still have a fight to get another 'C'.)

I respect these coaches. They are not about false hopes and dreams; they are very realistic. And since one of the fencers has come close three times to getting a classification, then I think they are probably right on target with their prediction.

So my question...Is 17 months to a 'solid D' or a 'barely C' a normal amount of time? I know every fencer is different...but there has to be some kind of number that seems quick, or normal, or slow...

And by the way, they fence exclusively foil...if that makes any difference...

[DJ Apostrophe]

I fence purely epee... took me from July -> February to earn my first D, but that was without any coaching, all self-taught, except for basic footwork.

Started taking lessons at the end of last august, Earned my C in december, re-earned since then.

-w

[corinna2u]

If I am doing this right...I come up with your first 'C' at 17 months.

[Millamber]

Maybe I have been extremely lucky, but I placed 3rd in a D and Under that was my 2nd tournament ever and earned an E: E03 after only fencing for about 8 weeks. I can realistically see myself at a D by July 2004 and I hope to be a C by then.


It all depends on the individual.

[corinna2u]

So, with the idea of July 2004 for a solid 'D', possible 'C'...how many months total from when you started to next years Nationals?

[KBayDog]

I am NO expert (that "U" on my USFA card is not for "U're Awesome!), but it seems to me that a rating would be based on the competition in your area.

Throw the requisite "B"s and "C"s into your local tourney, where 45 out of 60 fencers share my "U"nique rating, and yes, you should do well enough to earn your rating (with the appropriate work, of course).

Enter Fencers Alley (or would it be "allez?" ), where only 25 out of 60 fencers are "U"s, and things might be tougher.

Please correct me if I am wrong; I have not competed much, and I am basing my thoughts soley on my running experience. I can be the token stud and win most local 5K races with a 16:00 race time, but it would be a waste of my time to even try and compete at the collegiate level (the bar is that much higher).

[corinna2u]

I completely agree...there are many factors, here are some, but not limited to:

What kind of training? How good was your first coach at teaching competitive fencing? How good is your coach at getting you to understand what he is trying to get you to do?

How many tournaments are in your area? What kind of tournaments are they? How tough is the competition at these tournaments? Is your division considered at tough division?

How old are you? What kind of physical shape are you in? How dedicated are you? How easy do you grasp a concept and apply it on the strip during tournament? How fast can you correct errors in your technique?

And on and on...

Sure there are many variables...I was just curious if some that have been around fencing for awhile could put there perspective on 'How long?'.

[whtouche]

If your fencers are that well on their way, that they're fencing well against C rated fencers, doing well at sectionals, there's no reason they shouldn't earn at least a D sometime very soon.
The easiest way to do this is win a U tournament. First place gets a D, thru 3rd get Es. Earning a C might be tougher.
I'd been fencing ~between a year and a half and 2 years before I earned my C for the first time. I've since re-earned it at least once or twice, and I personally should have gotten a C much earlier, IMO - as there was pretty much noone in the division below a C that could beat me.

Figuring out the 'average' time it takes to earn X classification isn't really useful unless you want to say to yourself "wow, Im pretty above average", it's all based on individual factors.
For example I once saw a female sabre fencer from the peter westbrook foundation jump from a U to a C in what was probably her first competition. It all depends on how much you work for it.

[a517dogg]

17 months to earn a rating for a teenager is normal if he or she has a good coach.

however

earning ratings should not be a goal of a fencer. you want your fencer to be able to fence division two and three for a while to get the hang of large tournements and because you fence alot of different new people at div IIs and IIIs. my fencing was hurt by my earning a letter to high to allow me to fence these events, as was alot of other fencers i know.

[corinna2u]

You make an interesting point...Earning a classification too soon and therefore limiting your experience.

[Millamber]

Originally posted by corinna2u
So, with the idea of July 2004 for a solid 'D', possible 'C'...how many months total from when you started to next years Nationals?

It would be 15 months. I started fencing in Late february of this year.