My first match for the Nottingham University B team today. Playing the A team as part of the BUSA league. Quite how good the previous B team (or possibly bad the previous A team) were last year I will never know, but clearly a glitch has caused the two to coincide.
Foil team and Epee reserve, I played three matches. I them, but I feel that I put up a suitable fight. The strength and speed of people up to three years older than myself was notably greater than that of my own, and I feel that they deserved their wins.
I tried my best to implement my theme of the week (Tranquility) and for the most part it held up fairly well. It didn't help that I was several cumulative points behind the opponent going into the fight, meaning that they could afford to let me wait and learn their techniques on piste. Time was not on my side, and neither, today, was luck.
But nonetheless, I remain unshakably ready for next week, when a different Uni sends its team, which I can only prepare for with next week's theme- Controlled Agression
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Eye of the Storm
I have recently been incorporating a new philosophy into my fencing- Tranquility.
As a word, it means stillness, peaceful. But deeper than that, I feel it means being at peace. I realise the irony in trying to create a sense of inner peace in a sport that moves with lightning pace. The paradox therein will probably be discussed in a moment.
My technique for tranquility is based largely upon breathing, posture and attitude. Between points I like to breathe deeply and close my eyes, just to isolate myself from the tumultuous goings on of the club. It works, and I feel like the world is moving fractionally (but noticably) slower than before. This gives me more time to react to the epeeist hurtling towards me. Posture also helps because if you are imbalanced or slouched, you cannot really fence properly. It also ties in nicely with the breathing, as the deepest breaths come from the best postures.
Once in this peaceful state, I try new things- attacking from time to time, and gaining ground rather than conceding it (anyone who fences me knows that they are doing most of the work). This brings me to the title, as the eye of a hurricane is an area of incredibly low pressure, which creates the huge vortex around it and aslo becomes an area of perfect weather. I try me level best to imitate, or perhaps even become, a storm of such type.
As a word, it means stillness, peaceful. But deeper than that, I feel it means being at peace. I realise the irony in trying to create a sense of inner peace in a sport that moves with lightning pace. The paradox therein will probably be discussed in a moment.
My technique for tranquility is based largely upon breathing, posture and attitude. Between points I like to breathe deeply and close my eyes, just to isolate myself from the tumultuous goings on of the club. It works, and I feel like the world is moving fractionally (but noticably) slower than before. This gives me more time to react to the epeeist hurtling towards me. Posture also helps because if you are imbalanced or slouched, you cannot really fence properly. It also ties in nicely with the breathing, as the deepest breaths come from the best postures.
Once in this peaceful state, I try new things- attacking from time to time, and gaining ground rather than conceding it (anyone who fences me knows that they are doing most of the work). This brings me to the title, as the eye of a hurricane is an area of incredibly low pressure, which creates the huge vortex around it and aslo becomes an area of perfect weather. I try me level best to imitate, or perhaps even become, a storm of such type.
Monday 3 November 2008
Out of Time
My soundbite bitesize summary of today's lesson:
"Crown him the Lord of years, the Potentate of Time"
And it is the central theme of my latest post- Time.
I was complimented at several junctures in the same 15 hit bout on my timing. I consider myself to be well-timed in my many and varied manouevres, mainly counter-attacks built to frustrate the potency of a fast or over-eager opponent.
I claimed the Golden Triangle Theory (posted in autumnlightning.blospot.com) to be the central precept of my martial philosophy, and there are very good reasons for the third pillar being Timing.
Timing is essential to gain the hit- you cannot score if you are out of time. Even being a fraction of a second out of time will result in you losing the point. That is why, when the number of learners at the club whittles down to a manageable number, I will begin to instill a deep understanding of timing in the remaining paduwans. If powerful they are to become, understand their place in time, they must. For without an understanding, one cannot make use of their own advantage, whether it is a nanosecond or half a second whilst the foe is of balance, knowing to strike at that point is crucial. Make sure that at all times you are ready to attack (or counter-attack) and when that precious drop of time is spilt lap it up and win the point.
Today I made use of time for my own pair of victories (in my two weapons- it is essential to keep the foil fresh).
Also, my Coaching certificate came through from BAF!! I am officially a level 1 coach, and distributed a surprisingly wide knowledge of terminology compared to the rest of the fencers at the club.
Whensoever I return to NAF, I will make the younglings try to understand time. For, as the hymn pans out- the Potentate of Time will be crowned the Lord of Years, and as such, one should endeavour to always be mastering timing.
"Crown him the Lord of years, the Potentate of Time"
And it is the central theme of my latest post- Time.
I was complimented at several junctures in the same 15 hit bout on my timing. I consider myself to be well-timed in my many and varied manouevres, mainly counter-attacks built to frustrate the potency of a fast or over-eager opponent.
I claimed the Golden Triangle Theory (posted in autumnlightning.blospot.com) to be the central precept of my martial philosophy, and there are very good reasons for the third pillar being Timing.
Timing is essential to gain the hit- you cannot score if you are out of time. Even being a fraction of a second out of time will result in you losing the point. That is why, when the number of learners at the club whittles down to a manageable number, I will begin to instill a deep understanding of timing in the remaining paduwans. If powerful they are to become, understand their place in time, they must. For without an understanding, one cannot make use of their own advantage, whether it is a nanosecond or half a second whilst the foe is of balance, knowing to strike at that point is crucial. Make sure that at all times you are ready to attack (or counter-attack) and when that precious drop of time is spilt lap it up and win the point.
Today I made use of time for my own pair of victories (in my two weapons- it is essential to keep the foil fresh).
Also, my Coaching certificate came through from BAF!! I am officially a level 1 coach, and distributed a surprisingly wide knowledge of terminology compared to the rest of the fencers at the club.
Whensoever I return to NAF, I will make the younglings try to understand time. For, as the hymn pans out- the Potentate of Time will be crowned the Lord of Years, and as such, one should endeavour to always be mastering timing.
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