Fencing!

[featherynscale]

Yesterday I finally dragged out to the fencing club with druidevo. Even though I mostly stood around like a useless lump watching other people do things with pointy sticks, it was still assloads of fun, and I learned a number of interesting things, most of which had to do with grip and footwork, but one of the most important of which has to do with the state of my left knee, which I think can best be summarized as "ow."

The problem here is that in order to fence right-handed, it seems like you're putting more strain on your left knee, that being your back leg, than on your right knee, which is the leading leg. So I've thought about this, and have several solutions.

1. Work on the knee more and see if that helps.
2. Brace the knee and see if that helps.
3. Don't fence.
4. Learn to fence left-handed.

I think I'll work on 1,2, and 4, but 4 seems especially attractive. Why not? I mean, it's not like I know how to fence with the right side either -- I have to train in either direction, and I'm not that far from ambidextrous anyway. I'll let you know how it works out. For now, though, I'll be spending a fair part of my afternoons advancing and retreating down the upstairs hallway. At least until kittenpants starts throwing things at me.

Comments

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

What an inspiration you are! I shall begin advancing and retreating in the hallways myself. Right now. At work. Should look funny with the BDU pants.

As for ambidexterity, it's well worth learning how to fence with both hands. I speak from the experience of my occassionally useless right arm. Also, if you "lose" your right arm in a match, you can switch arms with your weapon and still stand a chance of scoring/winning if you've practiced with your off hand. Later, you can learn two-weapon styles that are especially devastating when you go dominant with your left. And left-handed fencers seldom practice fending left-handed opponents.

More than you wanted to know, but I'm real excited just thinking about going to fencing practices again.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I shall begin advancing and retreating in the hallways myself. Right now. At work. Should look funny with the BDU pants.

They expect that sort of thing from you creative types, don't they?

And while I seldom have trouble with either arm, having the ability to take the stress off the one knee is very appealing. I wonder if it's legal to switch hands in the middle of the match?

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

In the SCA, it is. Especially if you do it with flourish and style...and an accent. The downside is that it's likely do get you killed unless your Super Fast, since most experienced fighters will make an "attack of opportunity" unless you ask them to hold while you do it. So, not illegal, but not always practical.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I imagine the odds of doing any SCA fencing in this part of the world are slim-to-none for at least, oh, decades. At least until all Calontiri currently living die out. But the information is still good to have.

And I aspire to one day being Super Fast... at anything.

snicker snicker.......

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

"There's something I should tell you."
"Tell me."
"I'm not left-handed either."

Re: snicker snicker.......

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

Hehehe...I'm actually reading the Good Parts version of that book currently, which makes this whole conversation even funnier...

Re: snicker snicker.......

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

It's definately a classic. I quoth that movie more than any other. :D

Re: snicker snicker.......

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

"quoth"?

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. :-)

Damn! Couldn't think of a witty comeback that relates to the movie or book.....argh! You got me!

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

eh, it's a Princess Bride-Edgar Allen Poe crossover. *shrug* I'm wierd that way.

Re: snicker snicker.......

[rfunk.livejournal.com]

I'm actually reading the Good Parts version of that book currently

Is there any other version of the book??

Re: snicker snicker.......

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I don't think so... It was my understanding that the "original" version was part of the fiction. I have, of course, done no research at all on the subject, so I could be wrong.

Re: snicker snicker.......

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

You're right. (And what prize do we have for her, Johnny?)(JK)

go here (http://smorgenstern.pkmoutl.net/thebook2.html) for infor

[druidevo.livejournal.com]

actually both instructors and about half the club is left-handed, so here you would get plenty of practice

[chronarchy.livejournal.com]

I'll have to bring my sabres next time I go to KC.

A whip is good for carry-on. . . I wonder if a sabre is?

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking you're gonna have to put those in checked. In any case, I shall look forward to you kicking my ass :)

[lightonthesill.livejournal.com]

Woo hoo! Sounds like fantastic fun! Can't wait to hear more!! :) I'm all for playing with pointy things.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

And I'm all for playing with chronarchy's saber.

um. er.
::blink::
nevermind.

[lightonthesill.livejournal.com]

I think that's a whole 'nother club saff. ::wink::

[fionnabhar.livejournal.com]

If he can get the damn thing on the plane. It might be too bi-- Erm, it might not fi-- Erm, there might not be roo--

Erm. Never mind.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

First, there was Diet Coke in the can.
Then, there was Diet Coke in my mouth.
And then, suddenly, there it was, on the screen.

In case anyone is keeping records of these things for science, everything now smells like lime.