Hello--Former right-hander looking for advice as new lefty

[Sfrozo]

Hello,

I was hoping someone out there might have some advice for someone that has recently become a lefty due to a major shoulder injury. My lessons are progressing reasonably well considering the switch, but any advice, suggestions, insight, etc. that might help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sforzo

[darius]

Just stick with it.

One of my teammates, who is naturally lefty, but learned to fence (and was very successful at the youth level) righty, got switched by her coach at age 14, and it frustrated her to tears for about a season.

Now she's quite successful at the Cadet level.

darius

[Sfrozo]

Dear Darius,

Thanks! I shall stick with it--there was no royal road for fencing righty either... I can understand your friend's frustration; "relearning" what one already knows and can do on one side is very humbling!

[wflaschka]

Long-time coaches report equal facility in each hand. But until the new hand is comfortable, it will cause losses and be a point of frustration.

While you're building the new hand, focus heavily on footwork. (IMHO: ) If a fencer is inspired, they break down as 60% foot and 40% hand... if they're not inspired, they can still get results with 90% foot and 10% hand. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck!! I'm very curious how it works out for you.

[chiz]

I started at age 52, right handed with foil. After about 6 mo I injured my right elbow and changed to left handed to keep up the exercise and waited to heal. I noticed that the foot work was easier, leading with my left, more power and distance with a lunge and a quicker recovery but my point was all over the place, wide parries, and my hand was lagging on extensions. After about 4 weeks a new coach recommended I change to epee, which I did.

Point control and hand strength are the areas I work on the most. Wflaschka has a series of drills for point work, I highly recommend. I spent a couple of months learning as a beginner/beginner and improving my hand strength, fencing in class twice a week, working at home on point control everyday. Control didn’t come quickly, my fencing partners will tell you, but I have improved more than I expected and I would not switch back now. As a lefty I can count on at least a couple of extra touches during the Pools and in the early DEs.

Best of Luck
Chiz

[Sfrozo]

Many thanks Wflaschka and Chiz,

One of my first coaches would alternate his hand every few lessons--I am beginning to appreciate just what an accomplishment that truly is! May I be so lucky. Footwork drills ad nauseam are helping, and it is my footwork that needs the most help.

Hand control, particularly on the attack, is trickier. When making a beat in six, for example, I tend to over do it, making what should be a quick rap on the blade into a might-as-well-remove-the-opponent's-hand and arm too. I try to do a few drills on off days, but without an opponent, or an "oscar" stand-in, some of these techniques are harder to hone off the piste. I would be grateful for the footwork drills--if you have any for handwork I should likewise greatly appreciate it (especially for beats)! Thanks again, very much, to all of you!

[Talyn]

I think you need to train up your left hand/arm.

Because fencing is an asymetrical sport it can really mess up ur strength, that explains why you're parrying wide and etc.

[Artisan]

Originally posted by Sfrozo
Many thanks Wflaschka and Chiz,

One of my first coaches would alternate his hand every few lessons--I am beginning to appreciate just what an accomplishment that truly is!

My present coach does lessons with both hands, but favors left a bit more. I fantasize that it is he is preparing me for the highest levels of fencing, where 50% are lefties.

I've joked that if I take up saber, I'll do so left handed hoping it will contaminate my modest skills in foil and epee the least that way.