Friday, March 03, 2006
Keep Training - It pays
Hello Everyone!
I thought I would share my view on training for fencing tournaments. I've seen that some fencers go to their first five tournaments and don't win any medals and give up because they think this sport is not for them. Those are people that didn't understand what it takes to be a fencer. Fencing is a lifetime sport, so it takes a lifetime of training.
You should not expect to take home a medal in your first year of competative fencing. If you do, you are exceptional, but don't beat yourself up if you don't. Each tournament is rich with lessons that are not available at practice. You've got to realize that most of the high level fencers have been fencing for at least 5 years if not ten. Then there are those fencers that have been fencing for 20 years or more consistently competative. Don't expect to beat them quite yet. There is much learning to be done.
When you are starting out, start with reachable goals such as scoring a touch on every fencer. It doesn't mean beating them, but it means getting a nice, clean touch that was undeniably yours.
Also when you are at practice, don't focus on beating everyone else, focus on your form. Don't take shortcuts, practice proper footwork, and use it on strip. Don't justify sloppy form by saying it is your style. Sloppy form means no style. So, practice your proper footwork and proper handwork. Get a partner to practice your parry riposte, fleshe, counter-fleshe. If you are a sabre fencer, do the flunge.
Use tournaments as lessons to help you know where you need your training. Don't let your ego get involved because it will blind you. Be honest with yourself, and you will get better.
If you have any comments lets here 'em! You can click on the comments button below and let us know what you think. Also if you have some training tips, let's have 'em too!
*************************
Josh Butler has been an epee fencer since 2002, and a foil fencer since 1991. Josh fences at The Desert Fencing Academy in Palm Desert, California with Head Coach Leslie Taft.
I thought I would share my view on training for fencing tournaments. I've seen that some fencers go to their first five tournaments and don't win any medals and give up because they think this sport is not for them. Those are people that didn't understand what it takes to be a fencer. Fencing is a lifetime sport, so it takes a lifetime of training.
You should not expect to take home a medal in your first year of competative fencing. If you do, you are exceptional, but don't beat yourself up if you don't. Each tournament is rich with lessons that are not available at practice. You've got to realize that most of the high level fencers have been fencing for at least 5 years if not ten. Then there are those fencers that have been fencing for 20 years or more consistently competative. Don't expect to beat them quite yet. There is much learning to be done.
When you are starting out, start with reachable goals such as scoring a touch on every fencer. It doesn't mean beating them, but it means getting a nice, clean touch that was undeniably yours.
Also when you are at practice, don't focus on beating everyone else, focus on your form. Don't take shortcuts, practice proper footwork, and use it on strip. Don't justify sloppy form by saying it is your style. Sloppy form means no style. So, practice your proper footwork and proper handwork. Get a partner to practice your parry riposte, fleshe, counter-fleshe. If you are a sabre fencer, do the flunge.
Use tournaments as lessons to help you know where you need your training. Don't let your ego get involved because it will blind you. Be honest with yourself, and you will get better.
If you have any comments lets here 'em! You can click on the comments button below and let us know what you think. Also if you have some training tips, let's have 'em too!
*************************
Josh Butler has been an epee fencer since 2002, and a foil fencer since 1991. Josh fences at The Desert Fencing Academy in Palm Desert, California with Head Coach Leslie Taft.
# posted by desertfencingacademy @ 1:31 PM 
