Fencing Blind

[Ringoe]

I have always fenced blind, or to be more exact, without my glasses on under my mask. I was tought to fence by a man with VERY poor eyesight, as were my mother and father. I have learned to fence by touch but this limits my awarnes to blade engagements. After getting contact lenses, I found my focus was not in the right area and i was getting scored against too much. Any advice on fencing blind?

[Dan H]

pray

[40Saberthieves]

Dont do it

[MyraTrue]

Thats an interesting question. I can sympathize, because I played rugby for a while, and I didn't have contacts. So I played without my glasses, and I couldn't see a THING.

But I've never fenced this way. I guess what this might come down to is, do you feel you fence better "blind", without the visual acuity of wearing contacts, or with the contacts. I'm curious, how long have you been trying to fence with the contacts? It may take your eyes, and your brain, a while to readjust.

Eyesight is a tricky thing. I know that for me, every time I get a new prescription (I'm nearsighted), my depth perception is TERRIBLE! I try not to drive for a few days, its so bad. Likewise, when I got my bifocal lenses put in, I couldn't walk straight for a week. But now, I don't even know the bifocal is there, because I'm used to it now.

Figure, your brain has no idea how to use the information its now getting. Its never seen fencing this way, and the signs and signals it depended on before are gone, replaced by something else. You are going to have to relearn visual cues, but it might be worth it! I feel that in the long run, you'll fence better WITH contacts, but its a personal preference. YOU have to be able to adjust, because if you can't, it wont help you.

I hope you can find a solution. The best of luck to you!

[CSports]

I want to make the point that I am a American Board of opticianry certified optician- so this is not speaking as uninformed-

I have a few customers that use their glasses thru the entire day and just wear their contacts to compete- I would recomend the soft disposables- Much Much easier to take care of- One of my customers is a catcher and if they get realy nasty he can change them out in beteen innings-

I have another young lady that wears them only for field hockey- she only wears them at practice and games- instead of wearing them 16 hours a day, she weaars them only 3-4 hours she gets a 2 week lense to last about 6 weeks.

I have another raquetballer that has need for contacts that correct asstigmatism- He chose the soft lenses- they are not cheap, but again he wears them jsut for practice and competition. If you have a copy of your presciption, email me and I will try to make suggestions.

[I_luv_saber]

I thought not wearing glasses when you need them can make your eyesight worse? I may be wrong, that's just what I heard... O and Happy Halloween!

[CSports]

If you are wearing a prescription that is very low to even mild, I personaly do not believe that it is a corncern . However if you havew a heavier RX, it could cause headaches and your eyes to strain.

[I_luv_saber]

Really? Huh, learn somethin' new ev'ry day!

[JEC]

Originally posted by CSports
If you are wearing a prescription that is very low to even mild, I personaly do not believe that it is a corncern . However if you havew a heavier RX, it could cause headaches and your eyes to strain.

mild headaches... The conection between poor eyesight and headaches is truly overblown. It can be the trigger for migraines or aggravate chronic tension headaches.

[CSports]

A mask can work as a peep sight in archery or an apeture sight in long distance shooting, it can help the eye to focus. I have a few shooters- 200 yards, 600 yards and 1000 yards that use Plano ( non presciption lens- Please do not ask me to explain it- I can't understand why, however they do. go figure- I had an engineer try to explain his theory- it might have worked if I could have understood a word he used

[JEC]

The problem is that different parts of an object are reflected by a lens at a different focal point that where the retina is. The only place in the lens where that would not be the case is in the center, which is why if blurred vision is corrected with a pinhole then I don't need to worry ... is an eye problem (ophthalmological), if it is not corrected then, then I have a problem, I have to work! (it could be neurological).

[Ringoe]

Just to clarify, it is not a question of poor lenses, my body fences by touch but all of the sudden my brain can fence with sight. So what should I do, continue to fence 'blind' or learn to fence with my eyes?

And by the way, my perscription is -3.75, in other words, bad.

[CSports]

IF your hits miss by inches, You could now turn misses into hits- qhich might mean quicker scoring, less fatique.

Also your eyes aren't great, but aren't that bad. I am -7.50 and I have made glasses for -34.00, now thats bad

I would look at the Recs specs-brand- soft touch style, wear a dew rag and your mask could slip on easily

[Strytllr]

Hi Ringoe...

That's a very interesting situation indeed. Not too recently, I read an article about an actual legally blind woman fencing competitively in Columbia, Missouri. Literally, she needs to sit 4-6 inches from a TV to see what's going on.

I think, that with any handicap, you can learn to deal with it. My original instructor often had us perform moves (minus weapons) blind to help with our balance and form. To be sure, there are safety concerns, but if you practice your point control carefully and frequently and keep your head, I think that you will fence well, even with poor eyesight.

But the best advice probably would come from the woman I mentioned. Her name is Day Al-Mohamed. I'm sure if you can get in touch with the fencing instructor at the Missouri University of Columbia, he can put you in touch with Day.

Good Luck.

[Namir]

It is just a stupid thing to do (period).

[Artisan]

Originally posted by Ringoe
Just to clarify, it is not a question of poor lenses, my body fences by touch but all of the sudden my brain can fence with sight. So what should I do, continue to fence 'blind' or learn to fence with my eyes?

And by the way, my perscription is -3.75, in other words, bad.

Others at my club have seen video tape of a coach of ours who was a Russian champion in the 60's. At one point he had some vision problems, and they put him in exhibition matches blindfolded. He was still unbeatable.

[DanInMI]

Oh, I always thought a "fencing Blind" was a structure that you hide behind....patiently waiting for unsuspecting Sabreurs to approach your bait pile. Then, at the right moment, you attack with a double advance and a lunge to the chest.

[mifencer]

There was a fencer in the Chicago area that was blind (sort of) and she fenced. Her brain could only register movements (at least what I was told). Quite impressive to see her win, and then she'd sit down with her seeing eye dog.

[SnowGlassApples]

It must be hard fencing blind against people who won't let you take their blade and it must mean a lot of searching on your behalf.

Maybe you need better or different contacts lenses, as usually people perform better once they get contacts. However, I'm not about to assume I know the limits of your super-sensory powers that might be more potent with your vision blured. I'm sure you can smell your opponents actions.

[Daylight]

...and she appears.

Strytllr, that was most kind of you. Actually Day (me), complete with guide dog currently teaches fencing with Columbia Parks & Recreation and they're happy to divulge the contact information if someone needs it. I can't say that I've competed recently (my poor "C" expires this year) but then again, school work etc. Sorry, slight digression there...

With regards to the question of "fencing blind" my advice would be......why limit yourself. And make no mistake it IS limiting. In the short-term going back to the "older" more familiar system of fencing by touch would give positive results but in the long-term you truly aren't making the most of your skills and abilities. After a certain point, that lack of sight WILL impact your fencing negatively. (I THINK I have the experience and right to say that)

It will take some time to adjust to the idea of fencing with sight, relearning distance and "what does a feint" LOOK like as opposed to sound like or feel.

Most "blind" drills work best for actions requiring sentiment du fer or "feel of the blade" such as prise de fer actions, glides and even some beats. However, much competitive fencing occurs with absence of the blade and so being able to respond as quickly and effectively as possible is key.

Give yourself time to adjust and your fencing to adjust. In the long run, your fencing will be better for it.