Helpful People
Whilst I am a great advocate of being excellent to each other (as Bill and Ted once proclaimed) it struck me last night that there are a number of reasons why helpful people may not be actually all that helpful during fencing training.
The 'I don't want to hit you too many times' helpful person - this is the training partner who instead of lungeing directly at you lunges off to the side or a little short because they don't want to hit you repeatedly. Whilst this is a laudable sentiment it doesn't help you practice your technique effectively. For instance, if you want to practice your parry riposte it's no good your partner attacking short as you will have to lean or step to make your riposte. Or if they attack to the side instead of in line as this will mean you need to make your parry far too wide. In general, when practicing, do everything like you mean it! Then when you do mean it things will go better.
The 'let me explain' helpful person - this is the training partner who insists on showing you where you are going wrong and painstakingly correcting you. Unfortunately in a lot of cases they have very little idea of what they should be doing. As a Coach I've often seen someone attempt to help a partner in this way and only end up showing them the completely wrong technique and further confusing the matter, plus they almost invariably end up running out of time during the practice session. In general, if you're not sure you (or your partner) know what you're doing please ask a Coach, it's what we're here for and we really don't mind!
The 'let me help you preside' person - this is the person who sidles up and 'helps' you preside by suggesting exactly what you are doing wrong. In general, if you're not presiding a world championship final then any helpful advice could probably wait until after the match is done. Whilst their intentions are well meant it doesn't help build your confidence or the match run smoothly. It will probably also irritate the fencers as well because they won't know who's in charge!
As I said, I have no problem with people being helpful in life but as a fencer you have the obligation to think things through for yourself, and the right to accept or decline their assistance.
The 'I don't want to hit you too many times' helpful person - this is the training partner who instead of lungeing directly at you lunges off to the side or a little short because they don't want to hit you repeatedly. Whilst this is a laudable sentiment it doesn't help you practice your technique effectively. For instance, if you want to practice your parry riposte it's no good your partner attacking short as you will have to lean or step to make your riposte. Or if they attack to the side instead of in line as this will mean you need to make your parry far too wide. In general, when practicing, do everything like you mean it! Then when you do mean it things will go better.
The 'let me explain' helpful person - this is the training partner who insists on showing you where you are going wrong and painstakingly correcting you. Unfortunately in a lot of cases they have very little idea of what they should be doing. As a Coach I've often seen someone attempt to help a partner in this way and only end up showing them the completely wrong technique and further confusing the matter, plus they almost invariably end up running out of time during the practice session. In general, if you're not sure you (or your partner) know what you're doing please ask a Coach, it's what we're here for and we really don't mind!
The 'let me help you preside' person - this is the person who sidles up and 'helps' you preside by suggesting exactly what you are doing wrong. In general, if you're not presiding a world championship final then any helpful advice could probably wait until after the match is done. Whilst their intentions are well meant it doesn't help build your confidence or the match run smoothly. It will probably also irritate the fencers as well because they won't know who's in charge!
As I said, I have no problem with people being helpful in life but as a fencer you have the obligation to think things through for yourself, and the right to accept or decline their assistance.
posted by Dave at
10:35 AM
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