Flicks - Part II

[Zelda]

Thanks Ed... thats what I thought.... just needed it confirmed without anyone pontificating. As for the people who primarily flick thats about the description in a nutshell. Although I also find older 20 somethings become enamoured and dont do anything else. I knew certain people who do what I define as the "flying flick" which is a flick with a fleshe, and it hurts like buggery if they land flat.

[jon]

I don't know how to tell this to you, but you have to feel timing of your opponents preparation. There is no direct answer to what is preparation. The french have a much stricter sense of preparation, while the germans do not. But that is what makes fencing cool, all of the different styles and methods of teaching. There is no specific right answer. There will always be arguements to what is "preparation". But it is good you are trying to learn. But you aren't going to learn anything until you fence top fencers and get a better feeling of timing. That's about all I offer.

It's pretty vague I realize but... maybe rent some recent world championship video tapes and try to understand and "feel" the timing.

-jon

I don't think there are any tapes of me. I just kind of entered the national fencing scene about a year and a half ago.

[fat Boy Ed]

Greetings

I agree that one needs to fence top people in order to see/feel how it is trully done. I hope to go to Cuba someday so i can get my butt waxed by Elvis Gregory, Rolando Tucker and Oscar Garcia perez and the rest of the top Cuban fencers.Because THAT is where the top fencers are in the Americas, no offence meant to Cliffy Bayer (congrats on the #12 at the worlds for him- the boy rocks!!!).

All the best Fat Boy Ed

[fat Boy Ed]

Howzit

Speaking of flicks and videotape. I just watched ( for the umteenth time) the '97 world Champs tape,mens foil final between Young Ho Kim and Sergei Golubitsky. Wow! Also the men's team foil, France vs. Cuba. Some of the best flicking to be seen ,and the best solutions to over-flicking. I highly recommend it.

Fat Boy Ed

[suzy1]

Jon-

Have you ever thought about running for president of the USFA? I think you'd be great! I'd vote for you!

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[jon]

I don't even know how to reply to that message. I wouldn't even know where to begin, so for the sake of my sanity and not having the webmaster close yet another discussion I will refrain from making any response.

[suzy1]

Jon-
Are you going to Palm Springs? I think all those other guys that made fun of you are going so maybe you'll get to fence with them and show them how to flick.
I think I'll be going so I hope to see you there...I'll be the one in the "Go Jon" T-shirt.

[jon]

For the love of God, Please do not wear a "Go Jon" T-Shirt. I would never hear the end of it. I am begging you!!!!

Sincerely
Jon Tiomkin

[Craig]

Jon - You have a real fan on your hands. Her "profile" even says so:
"Interests: Jon Tiomkin".

Good luck in Palm Springs.

Craig

[jon]

Can anyone say, STALKER!

I couldn't deal with this sort of thing again.

[suzy1]

To all-

I am not a "stalker." Mr. Tiomkin, just because I expressed some respect with your flicks and pectoral muscles, does not mean I am a stalker. I think a man should be strong and protect his woman.
Anyway, about the topic at hand the whip flick. I find it very helpful to fence with my head resting against my open shoulder so my target area is covered. Is that bad form? My neck has started to hurt because of it. Jon-any ideas????
-Suzy

[jon]

Don't get all defensive, I was just joking. Relax.

And yes it is bad form for your head to be anywhere but straight up. First of all with your head tilted like that, you will definetly have neck problems. Second, instead of using your head to parry flicks you should use your foil. That's what it's there for. And third fencers with their heads tilted look ridiculous (and your not alone, I see plenty of fencers do this). Use energetic footwork with close distance to protect yourself from flicks to the shoulder.

Jon Tiomkin

[Zelda]

Isn't covering target area a cardable offense? Yellow I think. Or am I thinking of something totally different? Suzy, personally I would keep the head UP, as your trapizoid muscles get stiff enough without also have to be pulled by that annoying muscle that goes from your shoulder blade to your neck (gee do I have problems with that muscle or not!). Also some people wouldnt care if your head was there or not, they would just try to go over it. And if they miss that would HURT! Also isnt your balance and perception of target affected by fencing with your head on the side?

[jon]

It's not a cardable offense, your thinking of something else.

[Methix]

Covering valid target IS a cardable offense (yellow), but I don't think the head thing really counts. I have gotten and given cards though for foil fencers having their arm in front of them. I have on a few occasions even seen people get warned (I don't think carded) for having long hair coming over their shoulders and convering target area.

Methix
"We have enough Youth, how about a fountain of Smart?"

[jon]

The head thing is what I was referring to. I know that covering target is a yellow card.

[Methix]

That's what I figured you were referring to, I just thought I'd clarify the response you gave to Zelda.

Methix
"We have enough Youth, how about a fountain of Smart?"

[Zelda]

I occassionally get the long hair warning.... ,ainly cause I'm running late and forget to put it in a bun

[suzy1]

Jon-

Thanks for the clarification, I'll try to do that in the future. When you fence do people ever hit you really hard on the back? I was fencing yesterday and some guy (who is worse then me!!) wacked me really hard on the back. I was so mad but I didn't say anything. What would you do??
Also, do you have any competition rituals (like a lucky t-shirt)? I'm going to my first sectional tournament and I want all the best luck I can have. So are you or are you not going to Palm Springs?
-Suzy

[jon]

To be honest I don't get really get hit that hard on the back. But when it does happen I make sure to repay the favor. But I can do that because I have control. If I were you I just wouldn't fence that person. The first reason is you don't want to get hurt. The second is that when you fence that person you would only be thinking, when is that person going to hurt me again. And as a result you wouldn't be able to practice any actions or tactical excersices on him (or her).

And you should definetly say something, because he has to know what he is doing is absolutely wrong.

jon