too close for comfort
Mar. 3rd, 2010 11:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anotheranonI think I may have finally unraveled the a problem behind my weak offensive game.
Much of my lesson last night consisted of learning how to counterattack and immediately be ready to parry-riposte. I had long assumed that I needed more distance between myself and my opponent to have time for all that arm motion. However, V. demonstrated (repeatedly, and with frustration) that my problem is not being close enough: counterattacks that aren't close aren't convincing, and trying to retreat while parrying and THEN getting close enough to riposte takes too long.
Turns out the ideal distance is one I'm not comfortable with. Not in a fear of being hit way, but more the discomfort of stepping into someone's personal space, or allowing them into mine. I lose my target and either freeze or flail trying to regain it.
I think this is also behind my distaste of infighting - standing that close just feels wrong.
It was a rough lesson, compounded by still (STILL!) being congested from the Cold That Will Not Die, and consequently trying to concentrate while straining to breathe.
Mental/emotional problems are much more difficult to resolve than the merely physical or technical ones. After much hammering at it, I found I *can* do this, but in order to get over the freeze instinct I'm going to have to do a lot more of it, so I foresee myself doing a lot of suicidal attacks over the next few weeks :/
Much of my lesson last night consisted of learning how to counterattack and immediately be ready to parry-riposte. I had long assumed that I needed more distance between myself and my opponent to have time for all that arm motion. However, V. demonstrated (repeatedly, and with frustration) that my problem is not being close enough: counterattacks that aren't close aren't convincing, and trying to retreat while parrying and THEN getting close enough to riposte takes too long.
Turns out the ideal distance is one I'm not comfortable with. Not in a fear of being hit way, but more the discomfort of stepping into someone's personal space, or allowing them into mine. I lose my target and either freeze or flail trying to regain it.
I think this is also behind my distaste of infighting - standing that close just feels wrong.
It was a rough lesson, compounded by still (STILL!) being congested from the Cold That Will Not Die, and consequently trying to concentrate while straining to breathe.
Mental/emotional problems are much more difficult to resolve than the merely physical or technical ones. After much hammering at it, I found I *can* do this, but in order to get over the freeze instinct I'm going to have to do a lot more of it, so I foresee myself doing a lot of suicidal attacks over the next few weeks :/
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-04 04:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-05 01:59 am (UTC)Most of the time when I fence, the final touch is spontaneous - I'm there, I see it, I go. It's very fast and we're not in close quarters for long.
What I'm describing above involves "setting it up" by consciously adjusting the distance - deliberately stepping into "personal space". The intention makes it feel weird.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-04 05:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-05 03:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-04 12:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-05 02:01 am (UTC)