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Joan of Ark · 06-27-2003, 11:23 AM

OK. I have a BIG problem- tip acuracy. I have been working at it at fencing practices but I don't seem to be getting any better. Any suggestions?
BTW: I fence epee and use a french grip, if that makes a differance.

veeco · 06-27-2003, 11:28 AM

What do you mean by "tip accuracy"?

Are you having issues hitting a small target, or do you have general point control issues where you cannot move your tip in small circles?

If it's point control, make sure you are holding the grip properly, and that you are using fingers to control the blade movements instead of your wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Practice doing small movements with your blade, you can try to draw all the letters of the alphabet, as small as possible with your point.

If it's hitting a small target, do the above, and make sure you are extending your arm before lunging or fleching or advancing. You can also practice hitting a tennis or golf ball hanging on a rope from the ceiling.

a517dogg · 06-27-2003, 11:31 AM

Make sure you are completing your blade movements before you start to move your feet. moving your feet too early throws off your point.

Joan of Ark · 06-27-2003, 11:32 AM

Oh, sorry. Hitting a small target, such as someone's wrist, foot, or arm, is what I meant.

Dragonfly · 06-27-2003, 04:38 PM

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Take small steps and only extend your arm until you are very sure of your target. If you don't have good point control go for a bigger target until you're ready.

Joan of Arc is the Patron Saint of New Orleans.

>Fleur de lis<

a517dogg · 06-27-2003, 04:42 PM

for hitting the foot, it just takes a little while to get the feel for it. don't worry.

for wrist, at least for counterattacking, you just position your point and then let them put their wrist on your point. same for arm. for attacking, you just aim your point, and then extend, and then move your feet.

Joan of Ark · 06-30-2003, 09:13 AM

Thank You for all the help!

NJP3 · 06-30-2003, 11:41 AM

yeah, make sure your not miving your legs before your arm that's what usually throws me off

also, if you can hang a golf ball from the ceiling somewhere, you can improve your point control a lot. Start by just hitting it at extention distance, then try it with a lunge, advance lunge, etc.

MikeHarm · 06-30-2003, 06:11 PM

I'd also look at the balance of the weapon.

pammie003 · 07-01-2003, 04:09 PM

Also, when is the accuracy at its worst? I personally sometimes could not hit an opponent who was standing still by the end of practice. Just extending sometimes makes my arm shake! If it's a muscle fatigue issue, the only solution is to fence more.

To start off training point accuracy, I used to tape an excercise/gym mat to the wall and add bits of duct tape to indicate head, chest, elbow, etc. As time went by and I got better, the pieces got smaller and smaller.

Good luck!

three_hundred_fifty_five · 07-03-2003, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joan of Ark
OK. I have a BIG problem- tip acuracy. I have been working at it at fencing practices but I don't seem to be getting any better. Any suggestions?
BTW: I fence epee and use a french grip, if that makes a differance.

Small circles, small circles, small circles.

DangerMouse · 07-06-2003, 03:01 AM

Usually when I'm having an off day with my point control it boils down to one of two problems:

1. Don't look at your target. To hit the wrist, look at your opponents shoulder or don't really focus on them at all. Just extend through the arm to the shoulder and you'll hit the wrist.

2. Distance. This is usually my problem. I don't think this needs explaining.

-DM