The fencing club were fortunate to offer the experience of Mr Paul Donaldson to lead a training day, with our club coach Richard assisting. Paul is a coach with many years full time coaching experience in Hamburg, having competed for Scotland for over 10 years and is the current German veterans sabre coach.
The aim of the weekend was to provide a simple framework which provides an answer to the opponent in a variety of forms from this one model. As simple as 1, 2, 3 4.
The first day was focused on simple technique of timing each component of a step lunge. Although perhaps not the most physically challenging, having the discipline and control over the fencing action requires a good portion of mental capability. This was expanded to deal with several scenarios faced in a fight, both in attack and defence.
The second day focused on gelling this framework with the preparation to the attack, this meant footwork. Lots of it!
Here the translation of exercises the day before was presented in a format used on piste, challenging how good (or bad) your control over the action was.
When we weren’t training hard, we were having a nice lunch, playing rugby and also discussing changes to the presiding between the different weapons. The latter in particular was particularly useful in understanding why hits are given, and also will no doubt improve presiding within the club.
Everyone benefitted from Paul and Richard’s wealth of experience and ideas, and hopefully it will pay off at the M8 open and beyond.