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Over the past few weeks I've been learning to flick (to non fencers, this means handling the foil rather like a bullwhip to land a touch indirectly).
Yes, I know every time I l flick, [$deity] kills a classical fencer.
Yes, yes, I know that I myself have said repeatedly that if I wanted to flick I'd use a whip.
But V. has demonstrated to my satisfaction that there is a use for such a thing in modern sport fencing. Specifically, when my opponent has a quick or very protective parry, it's a way to get around it without contorting my arm/body/everything to "go around the corner". It can also be a surprise finish after circular parrying (around and around we go!) as the constant blade motion hides the attack.
It is kind of rough on my forearm and wrist, so I'm being very careful, using a lighter blade than I would usually to practice. V. also suggests as homework making parrying motions while holding a dumbell bar to strengthen it up. I'll try this, with both hands because if I'm gonna look like Popeye I want to at least be symmetrical :P
Lesson: never say never.
Yes, I know every time I l flick, [$deity] kills a classical fencer.
Yes, yes, I know that I myself have said repeatedly that if I wanted to flick I'd use a whip.
But V. has demonstrated to my satisfaction that there is a use for such a thing in modern sport fencing. Specifically, when my opponent has a quick or very protective parry, it's a way to get around it without contorting my arm/body/everything to "go around the corner". It can also be a surprise finish after circular parrying (around and around we go!) as the constant blade motion hides the attack.
It is kind of rough on my forearm and wrist, so I'm being very careful, using a lighter blade than I would usually to practice. V. also suggests as homework making parrying motions while holding a dumbell bar to strengthen it up. I'll try this, with both hands because if I'm gonna look like Popeye I want to at least be symmetrical :P
Lesson: never say never.
