American Fencing article - Tips for the Recreational Fencer

[JEC]

On pages 14-15 of the current issue (Summer 03) of American Fencing, Brian Barnes wrote a very insightful article. The purpose of this thread is to elaborate or comment upon this article, which is entitled: Tips for the Recreational Fencer ... Or How to Survive losing a Bout to a 12 Year Old (and Other Humiliations).

This article describes the major challenges of the adult fencer who has a relationship (i.e.: marriage) with a non-fencer. His definition of recreational fencer lies on the following benchmark: "...being an athlete just isn't the same thing when you have to try to make ends meet between practices. If this rings true for you, no matter how good you may be, I would like to label you as a recreational fencer." He also excludes "fencing bum" as those who "work just enough to fund you fencing activities", and thos not yet of college age.

So his proposed strategies for the vast majority of adult fencers are:

- Be Honest with Yourself.
- Maximize Your Training Time.
- Be Honest with Those Close to You
- Travel to Better Fencers and Coaches
- Dollars Count (take care of your equipment)
- Focus (during "fencing time")

Now, I would love to hear more of your ideas?

[wflaschka]

I like these points; they're sufficiently broad so as to cover almost everything. I have nothing really to add.

I do think, however, that competitive fencers need a "Recreational Fencing Support Group." I can't begin to total how much training and bouting time I've lost to recreational types. I may have some repressed anger about this... but nothing that won't go away in therapy. It's very hard to annoy me, usually.

(Still, sometimes -- Who cares what your dog did today!? Why are you talking about dogs on strip when there are five people waiting to fence? Or: Your adenoids are a topic that is best relished outside the salle.)

So I really dig point #2: - Maximize Your Training Time.

[Artisan]

Originally posted by JEC

So his proposed strategies for the vast majority of adult fencers are:

- Be Honest with Yourself.
- Maximize Your Training Time.
- Be Honest with Those Close to You
- Travel to Better Fencers and Coaches
- Dollars Count (take care of your equipment)
- Focus (during "fencing time")

Now, I would love to hear more of your ideas?

Well, there's at least six steps of a twelve step program.
Others might include:

- Acknowledge that you are powerless over the need to fence and desire to improve.
- seek the guidance of your higher power to accept the occasional bad calls made by the ref, to know the true meaning of right of way, and the wisdom to know the difference.
- made amends to those you have wronged in pursuit of Fencing.
(i.e. spending household food money on a new blade - 'cause you "needed " it.)


any others?



BTW, I seem to fit the description of recreational fencer, but would prefer the definition of a slightly shaded subset: "competative recreational fencer" as one who suffers the constraints of recreational-ality but competes anyway despite little or no prospect of either national or regional or perhaps even local glory in the form of medals or honors.

Lastly, there is something to be said about beating that smug twelve year old, as I recently did in the massive Div 3 foil melee in Austin, where I catapulted the 16th seed, complacent with his bye to a 130th place finish in my second DE in the round of 128!

...of course I humbly admit to scoring repeatedly with counterattacks (a filthy habit) and only being successful because he was so much smaller than I. But hey, a V is a V. Not quite a priceless mastercard moment, but that alone offset the cost of airfare! Other moments paid for the Hotel, rental car, and entry fees. I left Austin poorer, but wiser, and a very satisfied "competetive recreational fencer."

[Peach]

I'm also a competitive recreational fencer--I work full time and have a lot of responsibilities, and during my work year it isn't realistic for me to fence more than twice a week and maybe a tournament on weekends. It isn't even realistic for me to get much aerobic and strength training in between. When I read the article, I thought that I would add:
[list=1][*]Take the long view - focus on improving over the course of a year or two, not over the next couple of months[*]Set achievable goals, one or two per year--a specific finish in a specific event, or a classification change, for instance[*]If life interferes, get back to your training schedule as soon as you can, and don't make a big deal about it[*]Claim your territory (Monday and Wednesday nights are MINE for fencing, no matter how much I love my husband)[*]Think in terms of out-lasting the hot-shots who come in and blast by you. [*]Conversely, take joy in soundly beating the 12-year-old who will be on a national team in a couple of years.[*]Focus on improving your technique and distance, not on beating the people at the club[/list=1]

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by Peach

Focus on improving your technique and distance, not on beating the people at the club

Another pearl from Peach!

This cannot be overstated. A fencer in our club, Chris Becker, has used just that concept to win the Div 1 WS national championship. During training she's competitive, but she's always working on technique, distance and new skills from her lessons, often to the detriment of her win/loss record during open fencing.

Sure, she could win many of her bouts with just a couple of actions, but she prefers to practice the entire game. The result is inspiring.

[pammie003]

I wish more people would follow this one! I'm so sick of hearing "well it worked" from the people whom my coach has got me working with. I'm trying to teach them that learning/perfecting a skill or technique is more important than luck and a victory (in the practice setting).