anotheranon | around and around we go....

Skipped fencing class yesterday to spend the evening with D. before he traveled (yes, I'm sentimental that way), but really did not want to go a week without fencing, because for some reason last Weds. felt like an eternity ago. Hence, I hie-d myself to one of the Other Fencing Clubs for some free fencing.

I've only been to this particular OFC once before, so again my trip involved lots of trying one entrance only to find it blocked, then to the other, circling like a grumpy bat to find parking and then navigating the maze that is the building... I swear, I might go more often if it weren't so fscking painful to get to :P

I didn't actually do much free fencing, but this is a GOOD thing because I got to see how OFC does their footwork and drills. Very different from what I'm used to:

Footwork practice involves MUCH faster moves with a bit of "dancing" back and forth; I cannot quite master this last bit until I can figure how to keep my torso level (to prevent boobage bouncing uncomfortably).
Practice simply kicking the front knee out straight - much welcomed as my injury from last week was likely due to the front foot landing awkwardly after a lunge.
OFC fencers are taught to lunge leaving the ground (!) - not a balestra, but the back foot definitely leaves the floor when thrusting the body forward. Until I can be sure my front foot is landing correctly every time I've got no business even trying this one!

I practiced by bladework against the square padded target they had set up, and then the distance exercise again.

Overall, the people at my usual club tend to favor a game based on aggression and bladework, where OFC fencers rely more on distance and timing, including the less basic footwork I've described above. The thing is, I'm having a VERY hard time doing well against the OFC folks - the fact that they are doing something different from what I usually see is an advantage for them, obviously, but I can't make the fact that I'M doing different stuff from THEM work for me :/

To be fair, a lot of them train more often/have been fencing longer than I have, but I had a tiny sliver of doubt - perhaps I'm learning useless things? Clearly not, as my usual club's fencers routinely go out and win competitions using the techniques we've all been taught. The further thought occurs that training at both clubs - defensive bladework and aggression combined with careful footwork and timing - and I could possibly take over ~~the world~~ every piste in town!

Meanwhile, going to work on keeping the knee lined up. It would suck royally to pull it again or worse when things are getting interesting....