I have been quiet for a long time, waiting for something deep and insightful to say. In the end I suppose that whatever I say now, as a forced effort to make up for the prolonged silence, will not be as profound as I am hoping.
But, regardless of this, I have something to say:
I will return to the NFC this week, for the last time before going back up to Nottingham, and I make it my foremost intention to fence both Chris and Dave, who have had it far too easy in my absence... I jest.
I also wish to talk about the Three Jewels- a Taoist philosophy translated from a notoriously untranslatable language into English with a degree of success.
The first Jewel is Peace, or Love. This is one that I put into a sort of category with the Christian concepts of 'Love thy Neighbour', the sort of general being nice to people that puts you in slightly better stead with people.
But conflict of interest- I fence, which has little to do with being outwardly peaceful. In fact, the more aggressive you seem, the less likely the opponent is to try and attack you (needless to say this is why I've spent the last eight years darting backwards down a piste playing counter-attacks and parries!). Peace in fencing is much more about the inside, what your head is up to. If I am calm, even tranquil, on the inside then I find it much easier to match the opponent. Not necessarily beat them, but certainly match them better; always a good thing for experience's sake.
The second Jewel is Frugality, or Carefulness. I feel that being energetically frugal (codeword for lazy...?) is an important part of not tiring yourself out just for the sake of one fight- you are subsequently useless! When an opponent is aggressive, make them work for any points, whilst barely working yourself!
The third Jewel is Modesty (although it is also translated as 'not wanting to be the best'). It's all very well winning a bout and rubbing it in people's faces, but it's not exactly fair game to be a sore winner. Know, in a round-about way, how good you are, and play to your strengths. If you win a competition then you are viewed as a benchmark, and if you are rubbish (maybe because it's a bad day, maybe because you are injured) then you have suddenly given rise to the theory that your win was a fluke. There are two ways round this- be consistently very good (difficult for even the best fencers) or don't. But that's not to say don't try.
Happy New Year, 2009 already!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Warfare Mk I
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
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
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.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Recorded "For Training Purposes"
Chris posted recently the lament of the right foot.
Being able to view yourself from the third person perspective is incredibly useful. Chris suggested a mirror, but a mirror makes you look at yourself practising or training. It cannot, under any circumstances, actually help you in a fight. Now I know that practise and repetition are the backbone of fencing, and as such it is imperative to be able to practise correctly. But the coaches are there to help you put your niggly worries and errors at rest.
My point is that, whilst practise can be a realistic simulation, there is never the true aspect of fencing- you are not aiming to get points in a competetive way, so the best true way to correct yourself is to iron out the creases in your fencing, not your training.
I took my camera to the U18s this year, and the footage was incredibly illuminating. I found that I was making little and large errors all over the place, and have been trying to prevent their repetition ever since based on those mistakes.
My point is, take a camera with you and get your competitive matches filmed 'for training purposes'
Being able to view yourself from the third person perspective is incredibly useful. Chris suggested a mirror, but a mirror makes you look at yourself practising or training. It cannot, under any circumstances, actually help you in a fight. Now I know that practise and repetition are the backbone of fencing, and as such it is imperative to be able to practise correctly. But the coaches are there to help you put your niggly worries and errors at rest.
My point is that, whilst practise can be a realistic simulation, there is never the true aspect of fencing- you are not aiming to get points in a competetive way, so the best true way to correct yourself is to iron out the creases in your fencing, not your training.
I took my camera to the U18s this year, and the footage was incredibly illuminating. I found that I was making little and large errors all over the place, and have been trying to prevent their repetition ever since based on those mistakes.
My point is, take a camera with you and get your competitive matches filmed 'for training purposes'
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Snipers, Time-warps and Mastery of Counter-attacks
This, the third post of the evening, relates to Monday, when the most experienced fencer at Nottingham Uni Club yelled to me across the room before puttin his mask on: "If you can score ten points against me, I'll buy you a pint."
Whether this was great self-confidence on his part, or underestimation of me, I accepted the challenge. And so we began (an epee match, I should mention), and I let the match drift to 10-5. I was meeting him, for the most part, on a speed level, and he was bloody fast. I was feeling a little suave just at being able to match him blow for blow, even if the point ratio was skewed a little.
So we entered the final five points of the match. It went as follows...
Double... I picked him off as he had just passed my defensive wall
Double... I attacked and got picked off
Double... The point is less relevant because he made a remark about losing £2.30 (the price of a pint of my beloved Guinness in the student bar) and I smiled knowing that I was two doubles away from a free drink
I then went one point down- he came at me like a blur and I panicked, overwhelmed by the speed, and forgot to stick out my arm
Finally, I gained another double. 15-9. One green flash of light away from free booze... I made a remark about how close I had come, and he praised my speed (athough the nine points were the praise I was after).
Snipers are in the title, because the correct timing is vital to my style of epee- I snipe at the person's arm when they come forwards but can easily switch to head or, much less frequently, knee if neccessary. I am not ashamed to say that my priorities are askew when I fence. I put much more emphasis on waiting and responding to a scenario than making one- beaing someone at a game they created is much more satisfying, and you don't tire yourself out chasing them down the piste because they have come to you, gifting opportunities!
Time-warp (not the dance, for the love of all things not the dance) is in the title because it reeally felt like I was bending time to my own ends in that match, keeping up with an incredibly fast fencer as they sped like forked lighting towards me. Matching them move for move was a blissful feeling, that much is true.
Mastery of the Counter-attack is what I would preach to an apprentice- there must be a counter-attacker in every scenario, and it is not always a disadvantage to be the one who does not make the first moves. Far from it, the counter-attacker has the position of choosing whether the attacker succeeds or fails. Once you have lunged, you are in a vulnerable position. Straight arms are an easy target too, and as such it pays to only move when the attacker has over-reached. Keep good distance and you may never need attack again.
Obi Wan's question about fools can be answered thus- the fool that follows can react to the fool, and counter his actions with better ones.
Whether this was great self-confidence on his part, or underestimation of me, I accepted the challenge. And so we began (an epee match, I should mention), and I let the match drift to 10-5. I was meeting him, for the most part, on a speed level, and he was bloody fast. I was feeling a little suave just at being able to match him blow for blow, even if the point ratio was skewed a little.
So we entered the final five points of the match. It went as follows...
Double... I picked him off as he had just passed my defensive wall
Double... I attacked and got picked off
Double... The point is less relevant because he made a remark about losing £2.30 (the price of a pint of my beloved Guinness in the student bar) and I smiled knowing that I was two doubles away from a free drink
I then went one point down- he came at me like a blur and I panicked, overwhelmed by the speed, and forgot to stick out my arm
Finally, I gained another double. 15-9. One green flash of light away from free booze... I made a remark about how close I had come, and he praised my speed (athough the nine points were the praise I was after).
Snipers are in the title, because the correct timing is vital to my style of epee- I snipe at the person's arm when they come forwards but can easily switch to head or, much less frequently, knee if neccessary. I am not ashamed to say that my priorities are askew when I fence. I put much more emphasis on waiting and responding to a scenario than making one- beaing someone at a game they created is much more satisfying, and you don't tire yourself out chasing them down the piste because they have come to you, gifting opportunities!
Time-warp (not the dance, for the love of all things not the dance) is in the title because it reeally felt like I was bending time to my own ends in that match, keeping up with an incredibly fast fencer as they sped like forked lighting towards me. Matching them move for move was a blissful feeling, that much is true.
Mastery of the Counter-attack is what I would preach to an apprentice- there must be a counter-attacker in every scenario, and it is not always a disadvantage to be the one who does not make the first moves. Far from it, the counter-attacker has the position of choosing whether the attacker succeeds or fails. Once you have lunged, you are in a vulnerable position. Straight arms are an easy target too, and as such it pays to only move when the attacker has over-reached. Keep good distance and you may never need attack again.
Obi Wan's question about fools can be answered thus- the fool that follows can react to the fool, and counter his actions with better ones.
Rising Stars in the East
I recently made the long and arduous journey down to Norwich, the land that polydactyly will never forget. The main aim was to watch NAFs youngest and most promising.
I arrived at NHS, fencing gear prepared if necessary, and was amazed to find Tom Durrant and Alex Vozza doing roughly the same thing- filling in for absent coaches (or as was apparent). Why NAF had no coaches is, however, irrelevant. I was handed the pool sheet of the 'D' group and told to preside over them. Resplendant in my Norwich School leaver's hoodie (since it was NHS' open day I thought I'd promote the competition), I proceeded to open up the fencing. There were pupil I remember, and Alex W was all the way down in 'D' (presumably through non-attendance rather than poor technique), and, as expected, he won the pool (despite my betting he lose the deciding match- that's tuppence I'm not getting back from Vozza...).
More interested was I in what was going on in the middle of the table. The fencers were all roughly the same age and quality, although (mega hint for Dave if he's on the look for a much younger protégé than usual) one of them, whose name I believe was Seb, was fencing with technique. He had clearly learned from his coaches, taken on board what was being asked of him and actually ddoing it, rather than the multitude of nigh-on unrecognisable manoeuvres being employed by some of the others. I will actually coach the next time I am down- this was a mere factfinding mission to prove to myself that standards wouldn't slip if I wasn't there (ah, the modesty...).
I can say with conviction that I was neither aweed nor disgusted at what went on- the D group functions as it always has; it is where you go if:
I- you don't go regularly enough
II- you don't give a damn
III- you are not listening to your coaches
IV- you are new to this whole fencing lark
And as two of these categories are nearly irrevocable, some people will always be in D group. The newbies and rare-attenders, however, can be taught how to come into their own and will, in three or four years' time with the right attention, be at the top of the tree.
I hope that when I return again in the future, some of the names on the October 11th poolsheet will be much higher up the ladder. If not I will have to coach them to the standard they owe themselves.
Rising Stars are in the East, and I will watch them till morning light blinds me.
I arrived at NHS, fencing gear prepared if necessary, and was amazed to find Tom Durrant and Alex Vozza doing roughly the same thing- filling in for absent coaches (or as was apparent). Why NAF had no coaches is, however, irrelevant. I was handed the pool sheet of the 'D' group and told to preside over them. Resplendant in my Norwich School leaver's hoodie (since it was NHS' open day I thought I'd promote the competition), I proceeded to open up the fencing. There were pupil I remember, and Alex W was all the way down in 'D' (presumably through non-attendance rather than poor technique), and, as expected, he won the pool (despite my betting he lose the deciding match- that's tuppence I'm not getting back from Vozza...).
More interested was I in what was going on in the middle of the table. The fencers were all roughly the same age and quality, although (mega hint for Dave if he's on the look for a much younger protégé than usual) one of them, whose name I believe was Seb, was fencing with technique. He had clearly learned from his coaches, taken on board what was being asked of him and actually ddoing it, rather than the multitude of nigh-on unrecognisable manoeuvres being employed by some of the others. I will actually coach the next time I am down- this was a mere factfinding mission to prove to myself that standards wouldn't slip if I wasn't there (ah, the modesty...).
I can say with conviction that I was neither aweed nor disgusted at what went on- the D group functions as it always has; it is where you go if:
I- you don't go regularly enough
II- you don't give a damn
III- you are not listening to your coaches
IV- you are new to this whole fencing lark
And as two of these categories are nearly irrevocable, some people will always be in D group. The newbies and rare-attenders, however, can be taught how to come into their own and will, in three or four years' time with the right attention, be at the top of the tree.
I hope that when I return again in the future, some of the names on the October 11th poolsheet will be much higher up the ladder. If not I will have to coach them to the standard they owe themselves.
Rising Stars are in the East, and I will watch them till morning light blinds me.
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