Fencing Boot Camp...What would you do?

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

Originally posted by corinna2u
If you were running an 8 week fencing boot camp for fencers that already know the basics...but need to improve their skills...what would you put them through?

What would you consider to be important in their training? Remember this is boot camp; you can put them through anything, but it is supposed to make them a better fencer.

Well, a boot camp for fencers who already know the basics would be to teach intermediate moves and tactics, and practice them.

If it was to get them into physical shape, run 2 miles for six days on the first week and then rest one day. Run 3 miles every day on the second week and rest one day. Run 2 miles for six days, twice every day on the third week and rest one day. Run 4 miles for six days on the fourth week and rest one day. Run 5 miles for six days on the fifth week and rest one day. Run 3 miles twice a day, every other day on the sixth week and add an extra day of rest. Run 1 fast mile and job 2 miles for six days and rest one day on the seventh day. The eighth week, no one should be around because they all quit the 8 week program and went back to eating potato chips and apple pie.

[corinna2u]

retardedspleen...thanks, I will read it in detail and see if I have any questions. The conditioning is one of the things we really have to work on. We took two very long car trips last year (visited the 48 states, all of them...). Even though we did hike and walk alot...we also sat alot. They know they have to work on it and are very willing to work their buts off to get back in the shape they were in before we did all that traveling.

three_hundred_fifty_five...LOL. Well even if they did it 7 out of 8 weeks then they would have accomplished something.

Eating 'healthy' is not that much of a problem for us...can't remember the last time we had pie, but potato chips are purchased once or maybe twice a month...and only one bag for 3 or 4 people...most kids are VERY glad they don't live at our house, LOL.

[WHEREISMYTOE]

RetardedSpleen,
I laughed soooooo hard after reading your posts, do you know how long 8 miles is??? Do you know how out-of-shape 80% of fencers are??
At first i thought it was a joke, but then i realized you were serious.

But for a fencing boot camp, Conditioning is 70%. But, what is needed is fast muscles in your legs. Extremely long runs are good for Cardio work, but quick miles do both. no more than 5 miles a day running day. Anymore than that and you will seriously run the risk of injuries.
Then just work footwork into the ground.
Afterwards, basically get good coaches for private lessons, and lots of bouting time in!
-N

[Dragonfly]

Hello Where is my Toe. I would have to agree with you on the 8 mile thing. I can run 5 miles without too much difficulty, 8 is a bit of a stretch. Chris T. was rather irked with me, he felt that I had questioned his intelligence, however, that is not the case, I find him to be rather interestingly smart, and he should not fret unnecessarily.

[I have searched everywhere for your toe, at this time, I can find it with some concentration]

[retardedspleen]

Yes, infact i DO know how long 8 miles, is, as well as 15. i know what its like to run that much every day for weeks on end, hard as ****ing hell, or at least it is untill you get your cardio up. you'll also note i mentioned wind sprints. yes those work on speed quite a bit. it is true 80% (im glad to see you know all of the statistics of the fencing community) are out of shape, and i uesed to be a part of that 80% before i got a russian coach, who got me, as well as my whole club into shape. i could out last prolly every fencer in the US, maybe not still but id be up there.


You may laugh as much as you want, and say "oh no, too hard" well you will also see the name of the thread is fencing boot camp. i thought it was too hard too, untill i was made to do it, and DID IT. then i felt good, it was an acomplishment. theres nothing like being able to say "i did 1000 push ups today" and not be lieing.

dragonfly stats (s)he can run 5 miles without much difficulty....well...thats saying more than most, so why not push it? after 5, or 6, 8 or 10 dosnt really feel like much more. or at least it dosnt untill a month later.

you talk about running footwork into the ground....but wait...where is this stamina comming from? the easy 5 miles? ooo yay we spent 40 minutes running. like its a lot? cmon, perhaps my expectations are a little high, but perhaps yours are a little low?


I guess it all depends on how hard you want to work. or in other words how good you want to be.


Dragonfly, are you Jupiter/mango? otherwise when did you interpert the fact i was irked with you?


Chris Triplett

[Marcos]

these are all great answers

however, for 8 weeks the hardest part would be to ensure it stays fun

[corinna2u]

I have to agree with Chris T.

About 4 years ago I came across a blurp...it was someone well noted in the International community (sorry, I can't remember the source)...anyway, this is the jist of what he said: Americans can fence. Americans would do well...if they didn't burn out half way through a competition.

This was an article on why Americans do not (at the time) consistently do well at the highest level of fencing. He was pretty much saying...because we are out-of-shape...we have the resources but not the drive to do everything necessary to be the best.

That has stuck with me...and watching tournaments, I would have to agree. Some will not like what I say, but this is what I tell to my fencers: Be an American...but, Fence like a European.