Training a chick

I'm glad to realise now how at first I was fencing like a ninja turtle on crack^^ I started in the university students' beginners team and we didn't really do all the proper drills right from the beginning. I'm so glad to be taught by a hungarian coach during the last two months, he is harsh and demands discipline but he always has a rewarding word at the end of the training-session which  makes me want to become better and motivates me. I realised how many things I had been doing wrong. So here are some of my coach's suggestions:

• Keep the elbow in, close to the body.
• Mind the position of the legs, the toes of the front leg should be looking dead straight ahead, otherwise it's easy to lose your balance during a lunge.
• The back leg during a lunge should be as straight as it gets, no bending of the knee while the sole of the foot doesn't leave the ground!
• For a lunge first extend the arm then go forth with the legs!
• Keep the left arm (if you are righthanded) in the air, it looks kind of silly but really improves the position! And also when you extend it during a lunge not only does it help you to go further but it also helps you to stay in balance!

To be continued....

Interesting Vids

Great introductory video on the sport of fencing:

Fencing Maestro Charles Selberg talks about the use of feints and the psychology of the opponent. Just great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Rjm3bqEXA

What to eat...?

One of the most irritating everyday routines for me is finding what to eat. I am a student so I don't have much time or energy to do shopping and cooking everyday. And as I struggle to get rid of those few extra kilos I try to avoid the fatty University-food.
Even more important are the meals on the days when I have training, so I searched a bit online and found these interesting  meal suggestions for athletes by a sport nutritionist. I'm not totally happy with the plan (it's mostly american foods) so I'll keep on looking. She does  however give some good advice on what times to eat and how to keep energy levels high during sport (I especially like nuts, peanuts, raisins etc).

Fencing games online

Just  silly little fencing games I found online:

http://www.beazleybritishfencing.com/game

http://www.kibagames.com/Game/Beijing_Olympics

Fencing is sexy!

I just love the fencing gear. When I put on the white jacket and the mask I feel like

a warrior princess ^^.  No wonder fashion borrows elements! 

Here are the extraordinary fencing-inspired creations of the danish designer Rasmus Mogensen!

Visit the original link:

http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/03/rasmus-mogensen.php

(All pictures belong to Rasmus Mogensen.)

Some more fencing-inspired garments by Ann Demeulemeester I found on nuovonova 's blog:

Female olympic Medalists

I was just wondering of what nationality are the most olympic fencing medalists. It defers from weapon to weapon and from team to individual. If you care to have a look here is the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_fencing_(women)

Does anyone know which is the prevailing country in Europe concerning women's fencing in the last few years?

En garde!

Hi everyone, this is my first attempt for a blog so I'm just going to play it by ear and see how it goes. I am an amateur fencer in Epee and ever since I started training in Oktober I've been absolutely hooked on it! I haven't found so many blogs online sharing information for amateurs. I hope through this blog to gather and exchange interesting or practical information about (and around) fencing and  to come to contact with other fencers, male or female and above all to have fun! I will be happy to receive your comments, suggestions and any kind of fencing material!!! I'm so excited! :)