brief fencing update
Feb. 23rd, 2007 10:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anotheranonYes! Got out last night and got one hell of a workout:
I've been doing "invisible chairs" (squat with feet/knees/hips in line until thighs are parallel with the floor, put weight on heels) to get in the habit of lunging without letting my front knee veer left or right, and it's definitely been helping. Last night I helped B. with a parrying drill in which all I had to do was execute perfect, on target lunges - I was just assisting, but I think I got just as much help with my own problem :)
Also learned the "bouncing" back and forth footwork which not only gets the blood pumping, but can psych out an opponent. With all of this footwork exercise, I predict I'll be able to kick through walls in a month :P
I didn't slouch with bladework either - lots of parry drills from distance, which speeds up the reflexes, and a distance/blade drill to reinforce persistence in an attack through an opponent's counter-attack - because they might not land and if you do, you get the point.
I did enough blade work that my glove wore a blister on my finger - not good, but a measure of how pain tends to lessen when the endorphins are running, I thought it was much less than it was.
Also, B. demonstrated a breathing exercise that I can practice at home to help with the lunges: breathe in while on guard, breathe out slowly while lunging. Focusing on the breathing clears the mind while doing the motion and also re-oxygenates the muscles, promoting endurance. Works for me :)
I've been doing "invisible chairs" (squat with feet/knees/hips in line until thighs are parallel with the floor, put weight on heels) to get in the habit of lunging without letting my front knee veer left or right, and it's definitely been helping. Last night I helped B. with a parrying drill in which all I had to do was execute perfect, on target lunges - I was just assisting, but I think I got just as much help with my own problem :)
Also learned the "bouncing" back and forth footwork which not only gets the blood pumping, but can psych out an opponent. With all of this footwork exercise, I predict I'll be able to kick through walls in a month :P
I didn't slouch with bladework either - lots of parry drills from distance, which speeds up the reflexes, and a distance/blade drill to reinforce persistence in an attack through an opponent's counter-attack - because they might not land and if you do, you get the point.
I did enough blade work that my glove wore a blister on my finger - not good, but a measure of how pain tends to lessen when the endorphins are running, I thought it was much less than it was.
Also, B. demonstrated a breathing exercise that I can practice at home to help with the lunges: breathe in while on guard, breathe out slowly while lunging. Focusing on the breathing clears the mind while doing the motion and also re-oxygenates the muscles, promoting endurance. Works for me :)
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no subject
Date: 2007-02-26 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-27 01:25 am (UTC)Also, I apologize from way back re: archery. The one person who I know in your area who does the sport doesn't have equipment right now and as such has not had a chance to check out local clubs.