The Gray Epee

Yosef Open

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:56:00 +0000

( Black Cat Burrito is to the left down a side street.)

Sunday I fenced in the Yosef Open at ASU in Boone, NC. The weather was unseasonably warm and perfect. The drive up through the mountains was beautiful. The leaves had past their peak in color, but it was still very pretty.

This was a two day event, with foil on Saturday and epee on Sunday.

I thought the ASU kids did a good job in running the tournament. The refs were good for epee, and Mario was the observer.

I fenced two events. I tied for third place in the "E and Under", and I came in seventh in the open, renewing my rating. (Actually, I renewed it over a month ago by winning a small tournament in New Bern, but there was some sort of problem in regard to it working through the USFA system and being posted.)

My fencing family was there with me. I cherished the fact that Nicole was there, as this is her last season with us before she heads off to college. Mario was there and those who are becoming my extended fencing family from CFA. I felt very much at home.

I enjoyed watching the contrast between how Henri fences and how Nicole fences. Epee is so expressive. Nicole could be described as being light and airy.....until her attack. Henri is quick and menacing. (She would argue the point of being menacing....but she is.)

We all got a bit grumpy/upset with our performance at one point or the other during the tournament. That was unusual. It is not unusual for one of us to do so, but not all three of us.

Kerry is the model to emulate when it comes to being undaunted. I have always said so, and Sharon brought it up at this tournament as well.

I noted that Kerry no longer dutifully keeps her tournament notebook, but Miles does. I always wanted to read Kerry's notes.

Miles is a very tall, skinny, young man who gave me trouble. He fences with his arm out, like a relaxed point in line. I could not figure out how to get to deep target with him. With his arm extended, taking the blade or taking it in opposition did not seem to work. Deep target seemed too far away, and, if it wasn't, one retreat with his long legs made it that way. I did not experiment with cuff shots like I should have, though his thin arms make that bell guard look huge.

I reflected on this on the drive home. I came up with an idea for next time. (Code word: Noah) Hey...this journal is like my tournament notebook.

On the ride home, I also thought about tactics and how they relate to the mix of seasoned fencers and newer fencers in the open. Also, I thought about how my current training causes me to abandon previous fencing actions.

Here is an example:

I fenced a young man in a DE. He was fencing with a French grip. Generally speaking, when I fence a person with a French grip, I beat the heck out of their blade. They tighten their grip, and it slows them down. (Also, if they are inexperienced, it may rattle them.) In the case of this young man, his arm was so rigid that this was not a desirable action. (Of course I did not figure that out until the ride home.) His super rigid arm negated my favorite attacks.

I reverted to how I fenced a couple of years ago.(Primarily counters and simple direct attacks. I guess this is still a big part of my game, but I have been working to build past this.) I even scored with a reverse lunge, which was my game when I first started fencing. Of course, in the case of the reverse lunge, you don't often fence people who will chase you down the strip.

I am now wondering if I should have with me, the opposite of a tournament notebook for after bouts. I am wondering if I should have a written list (a menu) of actions which I am fairly proficient in and study it before a tournament. I become so involved with actions I have been working on, that I forget about actions I once worked on.

In this tournament I never had the chance/or thought to use:

A. Short advance/strong 2/long advance. (This works well for me, with the right opponent.)

B. Short advance/long advance with just extension. (I am not comfortable with it yet and did not see the right opportunity to experiment.)

C. As good a use of feints as I should have.

D. One-two.

In my second DE (in the open), I fenced Kelly. I am pretty sure that anyone that knew the field, knew that Kelly was going to win the event. I did not mind. I like to experiment with Kelly. (That and I was ready for a hot shower and Black Cat burrito.) When you are going to get trounced, there is nothing to lose by being creative. I think I scored 3 toe touches on Kelly. For some reason that always makes me feel better (the Tommy influence I guess). I lack a decent flick, except to the toe. It is the one target that I do not have to pull back to hit.

Kelly coached me during a DE under directions of Kerry. He pointed out something to me after our DE of which I was unaware and have no idea how to fix. He told me that I move into perfect distance and then hesitate for a moment before my attack. Is this an age thing? Is this a cautious or analytical thing? How do I get rid of this?

All in all, I fenced okay (most of the time).

I got unexpected praise from Toomey. Henri told me that she thought I should be more proud of that than a rating or trophy. I would have to agree.

It was a good day. Followed by a good Black Cat burrito and some good company.

Plodding Along With Fencing

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:51:00 +0000

Last night I helped a bit with getting an Intro class ready. Not much, but a little.
We had around eight new students in Greensboro. One was an adult.

Our club is mostly 12 and under these days. That is a good thing, but it makes finding someone to fence almost impossible.

Tommy worked with me a bit. He is trying to teach an old dog new tricks and has been very patient. We are working on attacking with the feet/weapon extending before the advance/attack is mostly from extension distance and makes a parry difficult.

Editors Note: Until recently, I thought there should be more names for common actions in fencing. I have come to the conclusion that is beyond impractical and that the language of fencing is complicated enough. I thought more about this as I tried to describe the action Tommy is trying to teach me.

This attack is not like any other I have ever used. I have no feeling for it. There is no automatic signal to my brain like you get when it is time to lunge or parry.
Maybe it takes time. maybe it is just different and you adjust to it. The answer is always on the strip.

Tonight, I head to UNC for a lesson. Maybe tonight I will get lucky and get in a bout or two before the karate class comes in at 8:15 and cuts the strips down to half.

I do not have a tournament I can get to until the ASU tournament on the 15th. I am looking forward to that. I could use a day in the mountains.

My big thing for fencing related activities this weekend is Cam's baby shower. Though I have three children, I have never been to one of these things. In my day it was a "women only" sort of thing. This one has guys and beer. I am strangely excited about the upcoming experience.

Holmes and Sabre

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Saturday, I was the division observer for a sabre tournament at Mid-South Fencers' Club.

For this job, memberships are checked before an event, memberships mailed after an event, and a report is submitted on line after the event.

During the event, you check on a few safety concerns and technical items. After that you don't actually do much of anything, except spend the day there.

The only people I really knew at the event were Stephen and Matt. Jen popped in briefly. Nice bunch of kids and parents, but I did not know any of them.

When you only fence one weapon (like me...and I would guess the majority of people there) it creates sub groups. The only sabre people I really know are coaches or sabreists who also fence epee.

I had a couple of nice chats with Stephen and learned a few things about sabre, reffing and coaching.

I had an interesting conversation on epee with Matt. One of the topics we discussed was about "beats". I classified a beat Jen demonstrated at her epee class as a foil beat. (A beat to the side of the blade.)

When I took my first private lesson with Coach Miller, a couple of years ago, he told me to do a beat. I beat the side of the blade. He told me that was a foil beat and had me beat the top of his blade with the bottom of mine. Beats like this are only done when the blade is parallel to the floor. (Point stays on target and you do not lose much momentum of the blade going forward.) It made perfect sense to me, and I have never done a beat any other way since.

Matt didn't buy it (about being a foil beat) and I really did not buy what Matt said, because of the length of time/distance covered the beat would take as he demonstrated.

I think I did not make my point with Matt, primarily because I did not express myself well and partly because he thinks my level of knowledge is still where it was around 5 years ago when we first met. Not that it has grown all that much, but I think in relationship to epee alone, that the knowledge gap has diminished a bit.

So, I spent my day watching sabre. I had some good pizza and I read.

I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan. A friend suggested that I try Laurie King's "The Beekeeper's Apprentice". This is a book about a girl/woman (Mary Russell) with the same deductive and observation skills as Holmes. I understand that later in these series of books, she marries Holmes. If you enjoy Holmes, I think you would enjoy this. I did and already have the second book in the series.

I drank coffee and I watched sabre. I watched and I wanted to fence. I didn't care if it was sabre, I wanted to be out on strip having some fun.

I recalled my last tournament when I fenced sabre. I fenced sabre only because they needed another person at a tiny Vet event.

I was fencing a guy who did not like me very much. This bout did nothing to improve our relationship. I saw his hand open in an attack of opportunity. Hey....I fence epee! I hit it with the point. The tip went between two fingers,through his glove and into his hand. He went to the hospital and had stitches.

For several years, every time we had an Intro Fencing Class in Greensboro, I would hear this incident mentioned in regards to sabre safety. No names would be used in the safety lecture, though I would think about being referred to as "Jim the Impaler" for a while after that tournament.

I never had much interest in fencing sabre after that, for fear of hurting someone. That curbed my desire to fence it on Saturday.

So I read ....and I watched.....until it was finally time to go home.

I completed my online report (to some degree) and have new memberships ready to mail to the USFA. I am waiting on the division secretary's mailing address to send him copies.

Matt asked me if I would come back and do another in December. We got off topic or something and I never answered.

I would go back and do it again, but must see what is happening in December around that date. If I am asked back, I will make the following changes. I would bring my own chair. I would bring something (more than a book) to entertain myself.

Observer

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:16:00 +0000

It doesn't appear I am going to get a lot of fencing in this week.

Tommy worked with me for a while Monday. I think that is going to be about it.

UNC is on Fall Break....I think.

I will miss Wednesday, as it is my oldest daughters birthday.

The big thing for my week is that I will be an official USFA NC tournament observer at Mid South Fencing Club this weekend. It will be my first time in this role.

More on this after the event.

Friday

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:47:00 +0000

(This photo used without permission. It was taken by Jen Cox. I am sure she would not mind me using it....if she does...I will remove it.)

I audited a class at Mid-South fencing on Friday. A truly cool bunch of students and an interesting night.

Proud

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Last night Tommy worked with with me, while the kids class was in progress. I am beginning to understand what he is teaching me, though it may be a while before I am able to use it effectively. It does not have the same instinctive quality that a lunge or circle six have. At this point, it seems to me more like a "luck" thing, though I understand how it avoids a parry. I will try it again in practice bouting the first chance I get.

I am also eager to try the semi-circle beat and pull back tactic he showed me.

I know this does not make sense, but I am recording it here so I will remember.

Coach was a bit late getting there from Chapel Hill and there was one of his old alumni at the club, so lesson time for the advanced class was cut in half as they chatted. We free fenced a while as he waited for Coach.

Coach's lesson for that night was in the form of conversation. The kids don't care for it all that much (They enjoy action.)but I love these types of classes.

The lesson was primarily for Henri and I.

Coach knew we were disappointed in our showing at last weeks tournament.

He asked us about how we felt coming into the tournament. I told him that we had talked and knew we would not place well. I related that we were trying to think about it as just "strip time".

He told us that when we come into a tournament thinking that way we are giving something to our opponent.

The lesson was on the mental game and stopping a negative spiral. Over confidence can be just as bad of course. But the lesson was primarily concerning stopping negativity and mental preparation.

Obviously you could have all the mental game in the world and not beat a vastly superior fencer, but I was reminded of the importance. I had forgotten.

He recommended a book entitled,"The Inner Game of Tennis". This is a book I have heard about sense I started fencing, but have never read. I will need to dig it up. I also looked in my fencing library for the book, "One Touch at a Time", but I must have lent this to someone and never got it back.

Coach offered me his hand to shake during his talk. We shook hands. he asked me what I felt. I said, " A firm hand shake." He asked, " What did I feel?" and I replied, " The same.". He nodded.

He related that when his team is fencing and they come off strip, he will often shake there hand or do a "high five". If their hand shake or high five lacks energy or feels weak after a bad bout, they go sit on the bench. He is measuring their energy and mental state through these actions.

That sort of thing fascinates me.

He talked about the pre game routine. (This is not necessarily part of your warm up, but is just as important.)

The lecture covered so many things, it is not possible to record them all here.

As I stated, this was mostly for Henri and I.

He asked us if we thought we were good fencers. " No ...and of course not." were our reply.

But he thought so. And he told us how proud he was of our fencing. How it was like night and day in compared to two years or so ago.

He went on and on about how extremely proud of us he was. ( Well..." On and on" for Coach.) Oddly enough, he truly meant it. I often do not see what this man sees, but it certainly made me feel better.

As the night closed, Coach (Who turned 65 last week.) told us that if he could get his back fixed up and drop 20 lbs., he was going to compete again. It has been 13 years sense he last competed. He has bad knees and though he likes sabre, he will most likely fence epee as the lunges do not have to be as long. He is unconcerned about winning. He just wants to fence.

I think that is AWESOME! I so hope that he makes it to the point were he can do this.

On the drive back home, I thought about what it would be like to fence him. I would have a lot of mixed emotions about doing that, though I am sure they would vanish as the bout progressed.

So........It was a proud night.

He was very proud of us and I was very proud of him.

Last Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Last Sunday I fenced at a NCFDP tournament in Chapel Hill.

I did not win a bout. Neither did my training partner.

My training partner is in a funk over fencing. Last Friday I experienced one of the worst family tragedies I have ever experienced in my life. (It is a personal matter and not one to be shared on line.) It was and is consuming me mentally.

I am sure that the funk and the travesty affected our performance a great deal.

On the other hand, we knew we were primarily canon fodder going in (We were simply out classed.) and were trying to look at it as just strip time. None the less I had expected better showings.

I am starting to believe that I will never fence significantly better than I do at this moment in time.

In part, it is due to age. Also training and strip time.

The limitations on training are (In regards to available clubs /places to train):
(The views below are incredibly brief and not all inclusive of information.)

Club 1. Good group lessons. No one to really fence with.

Club 2. Excellent technical training, but no one to fence with at an appropriate level and a lack of strips.

Club 3. I may be technically superior to the coach in blade work drills. I am not sure what I would learn or if there would be enough fencers available for decent strip time

Club 4. Drive time is to far away. Couple gas cost with dues and it may be to expensive. Also return trip would put arrival home very late at night.

I am starting to think that the training is not going to make that much difference in performance. It might....but how much?

Perhaps it is just time to do the best I can with what I have available.

I always told myself that I would compete as long as I felt like I was giving a decent account of myself. (The decent account thing has to be through my eyes only.)

I know that my level of fencing is in the " D and Under " category. I doubt I will be able to upgrade that.

Last week I won a small low level tournamnt. This week I was target practice in an A1 event.

The hardest thing in fencing is evaluating yourself. ( Well....that and getting kids to pair up or line up correctly for drills.)

Grace

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:32:00 +0000

(Former North Carolina governor's mansion in New Bern, NC)

Joseph Cadole Memorial Fencing Tournament

This weekend three old friends and I were having a "guys weekend". My brother and I have house at the coast and my friends like to fish, so we went there.

Fishing off a pier is not for me, so I left them on Saturday and went to fence at a tournament in New Bern.

There was a fair sized foil event going on when I got there, with around 16 fencers participating.

None of my teammates were with me, so I had to entertain myself by watching foil. I watched the RoW refs for a while to see if my call was like theirs.

I got bored with that pretty quick. Fortunately, there was something better to watch. There was a young girl fencing foil named Ellie Cooper. She has the nicest mixture of tight attacks and feminine athletic grace that it is just beautiful to watch. She moves like a dancer. It reminded me of the quote under the title of my journal," violence refined into beauty".

Pools started faster than I expected, so I never had a chance to warm up. There were 4 "E's" in the tournament , but only 9 fencers, so it was not a D1 event.

Skipping over a lot of meaningless details, I won and renewed my rating.

In the final bout I fenced a young man named Joshua Harvey. He is a handsome young man. (I always feel a little weird saying that...but he is.) He is also a real nice kid. After the bout, he came over and said, " I just want to shake your hand again".

We talked for a while.

In the bout I was down 14-12. I made a toe shot and a cuff shot to tie it up. In the end, he went for a toe shot and I did one of those unnamed (yet standard) moves were your feet jump back and your blade goes forward.

In the last two entries in my journal I have posted that I did not fence well. That was true this time as well.....BUT.....some times I made good actions. I guess that is progress.

I thought that I made some good clean moves, but you never know if that is what it looks like from the side lines. They could have been awful for all I know.

I thought a lot about how things look in fencing as I drove back to the beach house.

I thought about how people look after a bout when they come up to shake your hand. I hate it when they look ticked off. I like it when they have an air of grace and dignity in victory or defeat. I shoot for that. I wonder if I pull it off?

I had two strange things happen during this tournament that never happened to me before.

In pools, we began to double strip on the middle strips. These strips were to close together and the refs had to stand shoulder to shoulder. There was not more than 4 feet between strips.

I got a yellow card for turning my back. I heard the foil ref call halt. I thought my opponent must have scored and turned to walk back to the en guard line. I was winning big, so it did not matter.

In my first DE I was fencing the second oldest guy (after me). I would say 40ish. He was a pretty good fencer and we had a good bout going. I was a point or two ahead in the second period. During the break, I saw our fairly new ref having excited words with a young kid holding the timer.

It seems that our last period was 5 minutes long, rather than 3. The ref asked us what we wanted to do about it. I am winning and don't want to be a jerk and we were having a good bout, so I told them to just ignore it and go on. All I could think of as I walked to the line was, " I hope I don't loose because of that decision".

I turned it up a notch after that and won the bout with room to spare. So in the end, the decision may have helped me

Hey.....This was a small low rated tournament......NOT the Olympics.

On the drive home, I thought about a tournament I was in in Raleigh. We had to ref out of pools. I was reffing and was unfamiliar with the timer. The bout started and after the first touch, I realized the timer was not on. I just acted like I was looking at the timer for the rest of the whole pool bout. It seemed like it was over quick enough to be under 3 minutes. I never told anyone, until now.

These kind of things make you a bit more forgiving when a young man lets the time go by.

No Power = Good

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:34:00 +0000

Last night I went to club. There was an awful storm. At the club there was no power and it was to dark to fence, so club was canceled.

It is the one time during the week, when all the coaches are there at the same time.

It became an unplanned coaches meeting, which moved to Starbucks.

It was good. It was real good.

We did some planing. But more important, we socialized and had some fun together.

We had not done that in a long time.

The Day at Fetzer

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Sunday I fenced at a UNC tournament.

In preregistration, I was ranked at the bottom of the barrel. As I was the oldest and lowest ranked epeeist and as I had a bit of knowledge about most of the fencers coming, I looked at the event as an opportunity to get in some strip time. The cost: 10 dollars and getting the crud beat out of me.

There were 16 or 17 fencers in the field. Results are not posted at the time of this writing for me to double check.

I see myself as a "D and Under" kind of fencer. The closest rated fencer to me in pools was a "D" and I won that bout. It was the only victory in a pool of 5. (I think it was 5.)

As I said, my only goal for the tournament was to get in strip time. I hoped to NOT come in last, but I was pretty sure I would. I fenced the young man that came in second in my only DE. He was rated 5th and I was 12th out of pools. The results are not posted, but I don't think I was last. So....Yay!

The kid who won the event, was a World Cup guy from France. I am glad I got to see him fence. Tommy saw different things than I did as we watched him. The thing that most impressed me was an action I had never seen. He had a " waiting fleche". This
is like a " waiting lunge" or a feint of a lunge. Cool!

I stayed to watch the Women's epee event. I am glad I did. I pulled for my teammate and the vets.

I had a strip coaching experience like I had never had before. The situation was simplistic, but I recognized it and knew just what to do. I also knew when it was time to go back to the game plan. It worked perfectly.

In women's epee, Kerry and Jordan tied for third. Henri took second. Anna (?) took first.

I helped clean up as the day drew to a close. I wanted to go eat and talk fencing with my teammates, but dinner was waiting at home.

I so love fencing at a venue that has showers!

The Week ....So Far.

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:26:00 +0000

Monday: I went to club in Greensboro. I have no idea why I go that night.
Took a lesson with Tommy on a simple action. I practiced this action Thursday and tried to incorporate it in bouting without success.

Wednesday: Subbed for Cam and taught epee. Cam is "way" pregnant, and she worked with the two eight year old kids.

Coach got there late, and mostly we talked. There is a possibility that Guilford College and Wake Forest kids may come to the club for lessons. May work out...may not. We will see.

I watched Coach make his first contact with Nicole under NCAA rules in an effort to recruit her to UNC. I have seen this several times with different kids I know, but it is always special and cool when it is a kid you care a lot about.

Thursday: Private lesson with Coach at UNC. I did well. You measure this by the number of number of " good jobs" and "high fives" you get from Coach. The hard part is attacking in 4 with opposition, holding in 4 for the remise. I am so trained to do 6 and circle six that it is hard to make it instinctive.

Sharing the space with a karate class is becoming a problem. I go there mostly for private lessons with Coach. But, also for strip time. I can't get meaningful strip time in Greensboro as most of the kids are 12.

By the time the karate class shows up at 8:15, you have warmed up....maybe had one bout and a private lesson. After that, there are alot of people competing for four strips. Really good fencers like to fence really good fencers....so it is hard for us intermediate folks to sort of find a place.

What to do.....what to do.....about strip time?

Sunday: I plan on fencing at a tournament at UNC on Sunday. I feel that I should do this, even though I will be the oldest and lowest rated fencer there. There is a "U", but he is a "C" foilist. This will not be good for confidence, but I feel I should go.

I looked at a KOS tournament for today. It seemed more my speed, but UNC is kind of "home" so I guess I will go get the crud beat out of me there.

Hey!....I just might learn something.

First Tournament of the Season

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Epee Regional Youth Circuit (RYC)

I know what you are thinking. Jim.....Youth Circuit.....RYC???? Okay.....not about me.

However, two fencers from the Greensboro Fencing Club (Formally the Downtown Fencing Club)journeyed to Georgia for the Epee Regional Youth Circuit (RYC) DFC. Both Margaret Bertoni and Charlotte Hatcher are twelve years old. Charlotte tied for third place in the 12 and under, but had the misfortune to fence her teammate in DE's and went out.

Margret Bertoni took first place. Not only did she take first place in the 12 year old event, but she moved up to fence in the 14 year old event and took first place there as well.

BOO-YAAH!!!!!

The Three Musketeer Picture (Above)

Nicole thought it was "geeky". However, this is Nicole's last year fencing with us before she heads off to ECU. I wanted a picture of the three of us like this as a keepsake.

I was sentimental, but they turned on me and hit me with double toe shots.

Sharon posted on Face Book: "The "after" picture of the three musketeers should have been Henri with the ice pack on her chest, you with the ice pack on your shoulder and Nicole with the ice pack on her forehead!"

CFA Tournament

I fenced my first tournament of the season at Charlotte Fencing Academy this weekend.
I did not fence well or do as well as I hoped, but I had a good time.

It was a well run and friendly event.

Nicole had a slow start in pools. In her first DE she was down 6-1 in the first period. She came back and won it! It was truly an exciting finish. She also did well in her second DE.

I was very proud of Henri. She fenced well in pools and won her first DE against a much taller seasoned opponent. She went out to the kid that won the event in her next DE, but gave a good showing of herself for the day.

Editors Note: I noticed at this tournament (more and more) that people just LOVE Henri. "Poor deranged souls", I wanted to cry out. " Don't you realize that when the devil takes human form, that he takes a look that is cute and non-threatening!"

Me.....I am just the "old guy" that hangs out with Nicole and Henri. ~ heavy sigh ~

I will look at this event as practice and strip time. If things go well, I will fence tournaments the next two weekends. I will just see how it goes.

Sabre for Non-Sabreist

I was talking with Stephen Pashby about a class he wants to start that deals with teaching some basic sabre to people that don't fence sabre. I thought that sounded interesting, as I am always looking to learn a little something new.

I thought I would talk to the coaches in Greensboro and see if they would be interested in hosting something like this.

I had a good weekend. What more can you ask?

Following My Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:27:00 +0000

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just gonna ask them where they're going and hook up with them later. ~M. Hedberg

Long Winded Today

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:48:00 +0000

(Jordon is the girl second from the left.)

This has been on my mind of late.

Often, when you visit a club's web site, you will find a list somewhere of their accomplishments. Tournament placings earned by students and coaches are commonly posted. Also, when club kids make college fencing teams.

The Greensboro Fencers' Club (Formerly the Downtown Fencing Club....and I have trouble thinking of it by any other name) had a student make the University of North Carolina fencing team this year. She will fence epee. Is she a very good fencer? (No.) Could she be? (Possibly in this environment.)

How did this happen? Is it because she is academically gifted and got into UNC? (Partly.) Is it because Ron Miller was running an epee class at the club & she got to know him? (That sure did not hurt.) Perhaps there are other reasons. I know last year, Coach was a bit short on women's epee fencers for the team.

Jordan (like me) also went to several clinics given by Alex Beguinet, the head coach of Duke University team. The rivalry and hatred between UNC and Duke borders on stupidity in my book. There seems to be enough hate in the world without perpetuating something like this. Of course, I was a student at neither university. Maybe I am not getting something. Alex liked her. He will remember her. It will be interesting if they meet or speak at the Duke event next year.

I think of a lot of very talented young fencers (that I know in this state) who wanted very much to be accepted at UNC and make this team. I can only count two that did this year, and Jordan is one.

In my mind,The Greensboro Fencers' Club has had a lot of accomplishments. Particularly, considering that it is a very small club and all the coaches are volunteers.

Should it ever get to the point where the GFC lists our accomplishments on our web site, I think somewhere in there it should say something like the following:

" Gave some kids that did not fit in a place to to feel accepted. To gain a bit of discipline and learn a few manners/social skills. " (Words to that effect. Perhaps not those.)

That IS an accomplishment.

Wondering

For the last couple of years, one of my goals in fencing has been to become decent technically. Not great....pretty decent. Coach is a great person with whom to pursue that goal. Even in our little group lessons, we are generally divided into a " leader-student" pairing to work on drills. Nothing unusual about that. But, it is a lot like the private lessons. As much or more of the instruction is often for the leader, as this is more difficult to do correctly than the fencing action. I like that aspect of this. In a way, it is like you are being trained to coach without knowing it.

I am wondering something lately though. Is this the best way? I feel weird thinking about this. Ron is a great and distinguished coach. I have only questioned what I learned from him twice. This is number two.

I am not going behind his back and questioning him. I will ask him about this the first chance I get.

This is what I am wondering though.

Everyone needs to be able to do basic actions with some degree of technical proficiency before they can move on to tactics. However, I am wondering if it would not be better (for some students at least) to gain a moderate amount of technical ability.......learn tactics.....and then perfect the technical actions for those tactics.

Maybe I am wondering this due to feeling that my knowledge of tactics is so very limited.

Reading

Generally, the books I read related to fencing are non-fiction.

A friend lent me a historic-fiction book lately titled "The Fencing Master" by Artro Perez-Reverte. This seems to be a very common book for fencers to read. I am late getting around to it.

I am about half way through at present. It is a good and easy read.

From time to time in the book, you read phrases that are commonly heard in fencing. I assume that as it was published in 1988 , many fencers first read these quotes for the first time in this book.

Perhaps the most common is about "holding the weapon like you would hold a small bird".

All I could think of when reading that is, when I fence epee my bird may be in good shape for a while, but, at some point in bouting I think I break some of his ribs. Fortunately, there is no shortage of small birds.

Editors Note: No animals were harmed in any way in the making of this journal entry.

12 Year Old Girls Fencing Epee

The GFC has three, 12 year old girl epeeists. One is so tall I would want proof of age if I was checking her in at a tournament. She is fairly tall even for an adult. One is short. One is frickin' tiny!!!! I think she is the smallest 12 year old I ever saw. The tall one and the tiny one are fencing in an event in Georgia soon. I worry about the tiny one. She has great foot work and mobility. She is brave, but lacks the killer instinct. She often does not lead with her point when she lunges. I wonder if part of that is due to the small size of her arm and the weight of the weapon. I worry about her. I hope getting the crud beat out of her does not make her dislike fencing. She is a sweet kid.

Grandfencer

Yesterday, I went with my youngest daughter and her husband to see the ultra sound of the baby she is carrying. This one also identified the baby's sex.

His name will be Lucas.

I had always hoped to be able to teach my grandkids how to fence, or at least get them interested so that they might pursue it later in life. I have a tiny antique fencing jacket with silver buttons up the side waiting on one to fill it out.

I hope circumstances will allow me to at least be able to "play" fencing with him/them.

I have had children, and I know that what interests you often has NO interest to them. (Though I find it comforting that my son, Sam, loves to run. He saw me do this often growing up. Perhaps it was an influence...who knows.)

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

NCFDP

I had a good private lesson with Coach at UNC on Tuesday. We seem to be adding more and different actions to lessons lately. This is a good thing.

I am so programed to do "circle six in opposition" at present, I use it to instinctually in bouting. Great parry....but too slow and predicable. I need to broaden my scope.

I made progress in fencing Alex this week. I am hitting near target with flicks once in a while, and I opened up the distance. My flicks still stink, but I am working on them. Next week, I will try attacking him in third intention. Hey...I have to know!

They are working on one of the gyms at UNC, so the fencing room is being shared around 8:00 by a karate club. So many people in one small space generates a LOT of heat. I have to hit the showers before the drive home. It is best to get there early now. If not...it will be hard to find a strip.

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:52:00 +0000

( I have always been told that there is nothing more sexy than a man doing dishes. You don't think I am being "played" do you?)

I am not fencing very well of late.

Editors Note: By that statement, I am of course referring to the limitations of my own ability.

It is most likely due to several things. I am also wondering if age is catching up with me. One of the many things that is wrong is that I catch myself standing still on strip. I am also very tired of late. I do not know what that is all about. Another may be that I am just not getting enough bouting in.

But what kind of bouting?

I see myself as a " D and Under " kind of fencer. Once in a while,I luck up and do okay in higher level tournaments.

Here is a question I ask myself of late. Is it better to fence "A and B" fencers and mostly be their target or to look for practice partners that are just a bit beyond your ability.

I have come to the conclusion that I am just not smart enough to figure out what a good "A" fencer is doing on my own. By that I mean that I almost never come away from a practice bout with something new to work on, or that I can try and emulate.

You Would Think This Would Be A Small Problem

I want a target at my home. Not a tennis ball hanging sort of thing, but a strong stationary target.

I have decided that it would be good for me to work on some basics. I am not happy with my lunge and I feel that I need to work on adding a couple of odd things to muscle memory.

If I had this target at home I would shoot for 5 good actions of the following every day:

A. 4 Infighting actions
B. From extension distance
C. 2 actions that there are not names for in fencing.
D. Lunge
C, Advance lunge

Doing this would not take very long and I do not see how it could do anything but be of benefit.

The problem is where to do I put such a target.

In the house? I don't think that will fly.

On a tree? I would feel funny with the neighbors watching.

The deck seems the best choice, but I just had it rebuilt. I need a way to mount something that will take a hit, but could be taken down without showing that it was there.

I need to give this some more thought.

Jim's Week in Fencing

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:30:00 +0000

Monday: I helped teach a beginner class, consisting of 1 student. The little guy is a quick learner with good footwork and a tight circle six. (For an eight year old.)

Tuesday: NCFDP opened for the first gathering. I had a good lesson with Coach and did well.

Fencing was another story. I fenced Alex. The last time we fenced (May, I think) the score was the score was 15-14. My personal best against this good Russian fencer. This time it was the most embarrassing score I can remember. So much that I am not going to put it in print.

In reflecting on why, the things I am aware of are:

A. I need to open up the distance.
B. For some unknown reason ( lately) I feel compelled to attack. Not good attacks that are set up, but simple direct attacks. I use to love to counter. What the heck happened to me?
C. I am impatient. I always thought patience and using time was something I had a good handle on. Time to think again.

Perhaps I just need more strip time to make up for my months of not fencing.

Coach went out of his way to introduce me to his friend Coach Jim Murray from John Hopkins. Jim lost his job there for some reason. I "Googled" him when I got home to learn more about him. Interesting that he had taught wheel chair fencing in Kinston.
I also found that a Jim Murray was in the US Fencing Hall of Fame. That Jim Murray died in 1954. I wonder if he was related.

Wednesday: I did some light fencing in Greensboro.

Thursday: I did my Tai Chi Class. I may have found something that would be of benefit at a tournament. I would have to go some place private to do it though, I would feel to self conscious doing this in front of a crowd of people.

Friday: We did a very successful demo and had at least six new kids sign up for a beginner class. I did not do a lot of talking to parents, I was more a visual aid. I fenced on and off for three hours. (This was good for me.)

There was talk of using the new space for divisionals or sectionals. I hope there was conversation with using tape on the courts and the mess a bunch of fencers can make.

Charlotte Fencing Academy

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:31:00 +0000

I had a really good day fencing at the Charlotte Fencing Academy.

By "good" I do mean I fenced well. But it was a good and enjoyable day of fencing. It was also the first time I had really fenced all summer.

The club had an unsanctioned team event, which was by invitation only and for the club members.

We were fortunate enough to have been included.

It was a small event with an "A" fencer captaining each team. I fenced with Kyle and Kerry. Kerry and I were carried to victory by Kyle.

We felt so welcome there. There is a true sense of family and everyone was so nice to us. In my opinion, the sense of family is THE most important aspect of any club.

The fencing was great. It was nice to not be concerned with the typical tournament stuff..

After fencing we went out to eat together and again we felt privileged to be a part of that group.

It was a day well spent and one of the best I have had in recent times.

Tai Chi & Qigong Cross Training

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Last night I began an eight week class in Tai Chi & Qigong. I did this for multiple reasons.

However, as an interesting side note, I intend to see if I can benefit from this type of exercise as a way to improve my fencing.(Or perhaps my ABILITY to fence.)

I am not expecting anything. I am sure that an eight week (one night a week)course in Tai Chi & Qigong will give you as much expertise as an eight week (one night a week) course in fencing.

As our instructor spoke, I saw similarities in teaching this and teaching fencing. It was hard for her to explain words and concepts, just like it would have been for a fencing coach to do for a beginner class.

They offer the Tai Chi sword forms at her school in Winston Salem. I always thought they were WAY cool, but I doubt that I will ever get around to that, or if the movements would have much value to fencing.

There are things that COULD come out of this and be of use to a veteran fencer. (Perhaps other types of fencers as well.) As you age, you lose balance and flexibility. I think this might be an aid for both. Improving focus would be of help to me, and it is possible this course might help in that as well. It does help with your ability to relax, though I generally feel relaxed on strip.

I believe that certain aspects of fencing are like moving meditation. I love and am fascinated with that part of fencing. I once found long distance trail running to be extremely meditative (before Plantar fasciitis ended running for me). You can find this type of thing in many sports. However, Tai Chi is true moving mediation. Can it somehow improve those aspects of sports that are similar to it?

Then, there is the ability to focus your Chi. This is rather esoteric, and I am not sure I have ever bought the whole concept. In my years of material arts training, I did a lot of demos. The flashy things I did like laying on a bed of nails and having a guy break cinder blocks on my stomach were to be demonstrations of the use of Chi. Every one of these types of things (with the possible exception of "breaking") really had nothing to do with harnessing your Chi. So, I am a bit skeptical.

On the other hand, I did an eight week course on Tai Chi many years ago, and I always felt GREAT when I left that class. I am not sure when this was. It must have been in the 80's, as I remember I was reading Ann Rice books.

Still, I believe in the presence and force of Chi. So, maybe there is a way to use it in fencing. I will take a shot at it. There is nothing to lose.

Short Mindless Post

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:28:00 +0000

I have been fencing a little bit for the last week and half. A little footwork and a bit of fencing. Some of it dry. (Steam for my UK friend.)

While fencing dry is not as much fun, I am finding it a good way to work on somethings. (As I do not get caught up in the score.)

I have not been going to the gym like I should. I have a couple of joints that have been hurting and I have been waiting for them to feel better. My thinking now tells me it is related to age and it is time to suck it up and just head to the gym and see what happens. Naturally most of the pain is in my weapon arm shoulder.

My son is heading back to UNCC this weekend. I had given some thought to going to a tournament down there as I would be in the neighborhood. Sadly, it does not seem to be filling up. My son is now talking about going down on Friday, so it may not matter anyway.

I just finished mowing in the back yard and hacking at some brush. I am waiting for my turn at the shower and to use some stuff to get rid of poison ivy oils. I think I will need that.

For some reason while I was working, I began to think about my "kneeling squat". I don't have a name for it. I sometimes kneel in an effort to avoid the blade in fencing. I could never do those skinny kid squats to avoid the blade, even when I was a skinny kid. I got this from Tommy a long time ago. (Before he improved so much.)

I never plan on doing it. Much like I never plan on a lunge. It just happens. Mostly with success, though not always.

I am now trying to decide if it is a good idea or not. When I do this my knees in my en guard are bent more than they should be. (Maybe?) A small matter I will give more thought to as I shower.

A Conversation Continues.

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:42:00 +0000

cobalt said...

"If it wasn't an automated system on a very simple to use web site, I could understand. But to paraphrase Matt Cox on a different question I asked, "I call BS." If you're a tournament organizer, then you should understand nowadays how important it is to have that data up on askFred anyways. It's a big deal in regards to promotion of your tournament, and helps the sport as a whole. Honestly, I can't think of anyone who took more than 2 days to get that stuff online last year(Well, I can think of one... )

And with the automation on ncfencing.org, it's pretty simple stuff for the observer. And Matt's a pretty active webmaster. When there's a problem he's pretty much immediately on it.

All in all, I have good vibes about this new system. I tried poking holes into it as best I could. It's pretty solid. Obviously, with people trying to cheat it, holes will be found. But, all in all, it's a massive improvement in organization from last year."

August 17, 2009 2:06 PM

The Gray Epee says:

I do not disagree with what you are saying. Though there is more than one club that is not prompt to post on Ask Fred.

What I do believe is that if a tournament was to loose it's sanction( after just two days)it would not harm the tournament organizers as much as it would the kids fencing that tournament.

To me, screwing with the kids that fence in a tournament is not serving them.

In truth, I think we are on the same page. The result of possibly not having things done in time is the only problem I see.

Point....Counter Point ( Fencing....~snicker~ Get It?)

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:17:00 +0000

" cobalt said...

But taking weeks/months to process a rating change does help the fencer? Because that's why that rule was put in place.

The fencers are our customers, they're within their rights to want quick service.

Saying, "Cause that's the way it always has been.", only leaves us continuing to tread water against other sports that DON'T have a problem doing this. "

August 17, 2009 7:58 AM

This was a response to the last post in my journal. I agree with what was said here.

On the other hand I still believe that that giving people two days or risk loosing the right to be sanctioned is a bit extreme.

North Carolina Divisional Observer

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:53:00 +0000

I have just returned home from my training to be a North Carolina Divisional Observer.

The material was informative and well presented.

Shortly into the training, it became even more apparent that this is a job without any joy in it at all. Perhaps I am wrong and have just not found it yet.

You cannot fence or ref. You have responsibilites prior to the event and after. But, through the whole long day of fencing you don't really do "jack".

I can read for a while. I can socialize for a while or work on repairing weapons, but after that it is like being on a flight to Hong Kong.

Still, the goal here is to serve the fencers. I guess an observer just has to "cowboy up".

Question

I had one question during the training.

It seems that 24 hours after the tournament, the organizers are to have the results posted on askfred.net.

24 hours after that, observers are to have verified the ask.fred results, completed pertinent forms, and sent results to the Divisional Secretary.

I asked, " Why the rush?"

Part of the answer was, the fencers want immediate gratification, and they want to be able to use their shiny new rating at next week's tournament.

My thought is, if someone needs immediate gratification, then fencing is not the sport for them. In fact, I can't think of a sport where immediate gratification is part of the equation.

From my own personal experience with events posted on ask FRED, I have found the following:

A. If you are embarrassed or demoralized by your results in a tournament, they will be posted on ask FRED by the time you drive home.

B. If you did well in a tournament, those results will be posted DAYS later, when everyone except you has forgotten about it.

What brought up my question in the first place was, it was stated that if the tournament organizers did not have the info posted on ask FRED within 24 hours, and the observer could not do his part in the following 24 hours, then the event could be at risk of losing it's recognition as a sanctioned tournament.

I must say, that does not seem like it is serving the interest of the fencers.

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Good News/Bad News

Bad news: I got laid off. Good news: I can fence again: ( At least, in a more limited manner due to finances.)

I have not yet determined the best way to get the most bang for my buck. Right now, I think I will stick with NCFDP. I miss working with Coach.

I am not sure what to do about the Greensboro Fencers' Club (formerly the Downtown Fencing Club).

While we were at the "Y", I knew my place in the scheme of things. I was a good, dependable helper, and could be counted on to "sub" as a coach when needed.

Since the move to a new space this summer, there are very few kids to work with. I do not feel all that needed or a part of things there any more. However, I have friends there and I want to be a part of it as long as it can hang on. But what kind of part? And does my part fit my friends view of that "part"?

It is complex. I need to think on this a while.

Divisional Observers

I am thinking about doing one of these Divisional Observers Clinics. I can't think of many things worse than having to hang around a fencing tournament and not able to play.

The post on Ask Fred states that clubs which do not have members to do this will not be able to have sanctioned tournaments.

It seems a bit funny, as it is being held during a time when the college kids who run the college clubs are not here to participate.

I figure, if I do this, and I am, at present a member of two clubs, they both are covered.

Weird

It is strange how when I was not fencing this summer, that the fact that three of my best weapons will not pass a shim test(and an overzealous ref was concerned about a dent in my mask)did not bother me at all. That kind of thing use to worry me to death until they were fixed. Not so much at the moment. I am heading to the post office now to mail in my USFA membership.

I guess I am back.

Out

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:54:00 +0000

I pretty much see fencing as being over for me. At least for the foreseeable future.

I am trapped in a job out of town. I am not sure how long I will be able to hold on to the job. It is god awful and I do not feel qualified to do it in many respects. Still I must try to hang on to it as long as I can , as the alternative of being unemployed with the economy as it is, leaves me little choice.

Should I become unemployed, there would be no money to devote to fencing.

I am pretty much screwed.

I still read everything I can about fencing on line. I check on the people I know and learn what I can. However, that makes me sad. Living without something you love is a lot like living without someone you love.

There are a lot of depressing things going on in my life at the moment. A friend suggested that I blog about them. (Or that I continue to blog as an outlet.)

I don't think I want to bare my soul on-line, but I may give this some thought in other regards.

I so miss people from my fencing life. It is impossible to separate that love from the love of the sport.

The Plan for Now

noreply@blogger.com (The Gray Epee) — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:19:00 +0000

I fenced last week.

It was the first time I had ever seen a video of me fencing. Dang! I thought I was better than that. I now see things to work on.

In my driving to Indiana during the week, I have not found a club near Jasper, Indiana.
Note: The job is long and fairly physical, so staying up late and driving far is not an option.

I do pass through Louisville, KY. 1 1/2 hours from Jasper and they have a club or two. I will explore this after I become more acquainted with my job and other matters.

There are some season end tournaments. Tournaments will now become practice. Get in some bouting when I can...where I can.

I might be able to meet with some friends on the weekend and bout.

If things go okay with the DFC, they may start free fencing on Fridays. I may can work that in.

The summer is always slow, so just as long as I can keep at it a bit, I may not loose to much. Of course I do not have ALL that much to loose.

My plan is to be a nomadic fencer....a homeless fencer for a while....but to still keep at it.

Not great. Not what I want. But it is a plan of sorts. If I had my way, my life would not be as it is. A lot of people would say the same thing.

Never more than of late, have I ever wanted to do the thing that makes me happy and forget all about the things I should do.