Sabre fencing camp

Sabre camp

It was good to be back on the James and Ian Williams’ sabre camp in Grantham, working with very experienced coaches, Army PTIs and an excellent physiologist (Leo Faulmann). 

The fencers were very responsive to the speed warm ups and jumping sessions I did with them. On a busy camp, where our job is to facilitate the fencing experience, our aim was to measure the fencers, but also educate and teach them about correct fitness training.

It was interesting to see the multi bound and jump test: the lack of co-ordination and also leg strength did limit the results. This was also apparent in the multi-direction agility test. The fencers were good at lunging into the movement, but less good at getting out of it.

Improving fencing power and agility

My approach was to show them how to jump, land and then explode again with 2 legs, then with 1 leg. Vertically, linearly and laterally. Once the fundamentals are in place, then it is just a matter of working on co-ordination and timing to be able to apply it all.

As the camp progressed, so did the fencers’ leg stiffness: so we did some relaxing flexibility work outside on the grass.

On my last day I showed them the Oregon sway drill which starts with small lateral movements and progresses to big lunges and spins. This should help them with their movement into and out of the lunge.

This takes time and patience (on my part as a coach) and perseverance (from the fencers). I have to coach to the level of the person in front of me. Sabreurers are just as apt as other fencers at watching videos on youtube of “Italian pliometrics drills“, but they would fall apart if they tried that.

Start with correct mechanics, give them strengthening ideas, and then encourage them to practice.

Improving my coaching

I also had the chance to share many gymnastics ideas with Steve Chappell which was beneficial to me. Leo Faulmann was a goldmine of information and knowledge having worked with fencers for 25 years. That will prove very useful for fencers I work with at the SW fencing hub.

James, Ian and Dmitry Lapkes were all excellent at sharing their experiences and giving me feedback on whether I was going on the right lines or not. I am currently using bullet belts to help movement on the piste, so we had a trail and error play with these top coaches.

I spent a lot of time with individual fencers talking about their individual needs and ideas. It was very rewarding being able to help them in some small way. So thanks to everyone.

Further reading:

• How to warm up for fencing
• Should fencers run to get fit?