How early do we start them? - Page 3

Mellish · -24th March 2010, 02:07 PM

Had a Russian ex-national coach once who said, if you haven't started before 10 you won't make World Champion. That said, I know one of the UK's best epeeists of the 80/90s started at 19 (didn't make World Champion of course)...

SAD · -25th March 2010, 09:08 AM

this could well be a truth that they are started before 10 but they don`t start to beat each other up with swords at that stage they spend time learning how the body works and the co-ordination and agility excercises that will help them develop. They would learn through games and practice in a fun environment

CornishbyMarriage · -25th March 2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphericalcat

My impression is that there is a general consensus that this kind of very early training is meant to be more about general psychomotor conditioning than specific skills. With that in mind, I am not so sure that actual fencing is the best early training for fencing.

Very interesting conversation.

Just wondering what other disciplines would be beneficial to a fencer? I know fencers who start around 9/10 y.o. who are gynmasts, dancers (ballet/tap) - girls and boys - who do very well for themselves.

What about running (cross country and track running) and football?

coach carson · -25th March 2010, 04:32 PM

Interesting isn't it that a lot of comments associate training and practice with actual fencing. I've found references to squash, football, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts for 3 yr olds. So why not fencing? Could we envisage distance, tactical and timing games on a 14mx2m space for 3yr olds? Not necessarily involving full size kit, but with some progression through footwork, mini fence size 0 etc.

coach carson · -25th March 2010, 05:29 PM

Interesting isn't it that a lot of comments associate training and practice with actual fencing. But of course there are a huge amount of skills and coordination required, all of which can be coached without swords. I've found references to squash, football, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts for 3 yr olds. So why not fencing? Could we envisage distance, tactical and timing games on a 14mx2m space for 3yr olds? Not necessarily involving full size kit, but with some progression through footwork, mini fence size 0 etc.

Mini Musketeer · -25th March 2010, 07:42 PM

I remember reading about pre-fencing classes in New York for 4 year olds !
They start them young in France as well don't they ?

Our classes for 6 - 10 year olds combine age appropriate warm up games, stretching, reaction, co-ordination and fun footwork games and of course fencing, following a 12 stage award scheme.

sphericalcat · -26th March 2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mellish

Had a Russian ex-national coach once who said, if you haven't started before 10 you won't make World Champion. That said, I know one of the UK's best epeeists of the 80/90s started at 19 (didn't make World Champion of course)...

I'm pretty sure Victor Sijak started at 16, having swapped over from boxing.

Emma Efimova started around 18 and made the national team 3 years later.

-24th March 2010, 02:07 PM	#41
Mellish Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Deep South Posts: 72	Had a Russian ex-national coach once who said, if you haven't started before 10 you won't make World Champion. That said, I know one of the UK's best epeeists of the 80/90s started at 19 (didn't make World Champion of course)... __________________ 'the night express sings his story, the song of sparrownotes on his stave of wires;' (FW 135.34-35)

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-25th March 2010, 09:08 AM	#42
SAD Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 59	this could well be a truth that they are started before 10 but they don`t start to beat each other up with swords at that stage they spend time learning how the body works and the co-ordination and agility excercises that will help them develop. They would learn through games and practice in a fun environment

-25th March 2010, 04:32 PM	#44
coach carson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dunfermline/Edinburgh/London Posts: 235	Interesting isn't it that a lot of comments associate training and practice with actual fencing. I've found references to squash, football, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts for 3 yr olds. So why not fencing? Could we envisage distance, tactical and timing games on a 14mx2m space for 3yr olds? Not necessarily involving full size kit, but with some progression through footwork, mini fence size 0 etc.

-25th March 2010, 05:29 PM	#45
coach carson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dunfermline/Edinburgh/London Posts: 235	Interesting isn't it that a lot of comments associate training and practice with actual fencing. But of course there are a huge amount of skills and coordination required, all of which can be coached without swords. I've found references to squash, football, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts for 3 yr olds. So why not fencing? Could we envisage distance, tactical and timing games on a 14mx2m space for 3yr olds? Not necessarily involving full size kit, but with some progression through footwork, mini fence size 0 etc.

-25th March 2010, 07:42 PM	#46
Mini Musketeer Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 23	I remember reading about pre-fencing classes in New York for 4 year olds ! They start them young in France as well don't they ? Our classes for 6 - 10 year olds combine age appropriate warm up games, stretching, reaction, co-ordination and fun footwork games and of course fencing, following a 12 stage award scheme.