How to Flick (foil)
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Learn how to make a flick in foil. A flick is a complicated and challenging action that requires plenty of examination and practice to develop as a skill. Follow along with this video exercise and begin developing and improving your flick!
Wow, from the look of it I thought you were going to demonstrate the 2000s whipping flick, but you actually showed the modern flick, thank you for this video and keep up the good work.
Pleased to hear you are enjoying the content! Still a few holdouts working the 2000s flick, but they are few.
Flicking is quite possibly the most satisfying part of fencing foil. One of my favorite touches was at a recent regional tournament where I parried with a sweeping prime and flicked to the shoulder. Felt pumped for the rest of the week!
I've yet to develop a good Epee flick though (I'd definitely appreciate a video!), that's next on the list.
The flick in Epee is exactly the same as it is in foil, but you need much more hand strength in your thumb and index finger because of the weight of the weapon.
Thanks for posting! I fenced back in the era where a simple snap of the wrist was all that was required for successful flick. I've been roped into coaching recently, so it'll be nice to be able to teach this technique.
Yes, ever since the timing was changed, the wrist is no longer enough to ensure the success of a flick. Glad to hear you found the video helpful.
I don't know if I agree this is how flicks are done. You usually need to bend the blade. I don't think it's due to the angle and height. It seems that a lot of people think this is the way due to a Race Imboden video floating around, but I don't think it's correct.
Notice that even in this video, the hand elevates after the flick is completed.
Further, too much elevation actually negates the effectiveness of a flick because it telegraphs the flick. If a fencer sees you raise your hand to flick, they'll just block it. Flicks work because movement of the point if faster than arm speed. In my opinion, a good flick is actually about timing. You need to press the flick into the lame at the point of contact. The more a blade bends, the easier to accomplish this.
Before the timing was changed, how you describe the flick is exactly how it was done. Fencers would use a blade that would bend similar to a noodle and is why the Flickmaster became a popular blade for a time. However, it is significantly more difficult to land a touch by just getting the blade to bend with the current timing (it isn't impossible, but no longer the best approach to landing a touch through flicking).
Always a pleasure to see feedback from others. Thank you for the comments :)
@@osmfencing I don't know if the change in the timing made the flick fundamentally different. It just made us think more. I flicked a lot before the timing change. And I had to really think about why my flicks stopped working. I realized that bend isn't the only reason flicks work. That's not to say that the bend isn't important. Note that flicks with a riposte is easier to land than a direct flick. The reason is that the blade is already moving back with the parry, so the blade ends up bending more when you riposte.
However, there is another component to the flick. It's the timing. You can get a flick to go off even the tip isn't perpendicular to the surface. You need to push the flick into the lame at the right time. (If you get the blade to bend enough, then poor timing is more forgiving.) And I think that's why I think fencers like Imboden thought that it was about angle. Just look at this video:
ruclips.net/video/7WrHHQvmyQU/видео.htmlsi=ppuB3wViwr4xFd7t&t=12
It sure does look like it's purely about angle, no? But angle alone isn't enough. Notice that even here, bend is mandatory. The key is to push the point right at the moment of contact.
All the videos on flicking teach that the angle is important. But, look at any fencing match. The following is the first that popped in my search.
ruclips.net/video/CKiWMWl9Kqs/видео.html
Do you ever see fencer in that video use angle to flick? Do you see any have their hand held at the same level as the top of their helmet? It simply wouldn't work in a real bout because hand speed is too slow. Fencers would be able to anticipate and block flicks if you had to raise your hand too high. Flicks are effective because blade speed is faster than the hand.
The advantage of blade speed is why the old way of parrying 4 has changed. Previously, you would shift your hand all the way to the left to parry 4. But Russians realized that moving the blade with your fingers is faster as the blade is faster than the hand. (Actually, I think that a combination is best, and the ratio depends upon the distance to the fencer.)
I’m enjoying ur content - keep it up - I especially like the ironing board idea! Regards Coach Baz - NZ
Thank you, glad to hear it! Aye, a quick DIY project after having to shut down back in March.
Wow, someone who actually understands how to do a flick. My only critique is that you are actually driving the tip down with your thumb, not your wrist.
Very impressive demonstration. I want to ask you if you have a video with techniques on defense against flicks.
Glad you enjoyed it! No videos on that subject specifically, yet. That said, they are planned and will hopefully have them available soon.
Ok but how’d you make that target!! I need to make one lol
A neglected ironing board, a few small pillows, and some coaching gear or jacket make for a splendid target.
I think the flicks to 8 are flat. I wanna hear the click of the tip. Not the thud. I practice with a noise making blade tester connected to my body cord and blade. ' just saying.
Thank you for the feedback. Yes, in another video I used a tester but decided against using it in this one. There's certainly an audible "thud" without the added assistance of a tester box.
I will be re-shooting most of the "Porch-Side" videos in the next few months and may opt for using a tester, if not an actual scoring apparatus (these earlier videos were rushed together and aren't as good as they ought to be).
flicks for epee?
The club is in the process of moving, but I will put epee flicks on the list for Fall videos.
does the blade matters?
What Should I Use (M)Or(S)?
Good question! Today's flick is different from what it was back in the 90s and early 2000s where there was a considerable amount of "whipping" of the blade.
The softness or stiffness of the blade depends on the individual. A soft (S) blade does not necessarily mean a more effective flick, it just means the blade feels lighter and is more sensitive/responsive to movement (which can potentially hurt your point control if the blade response to minor movements in a significant fashion). Given that today's flick is largely conducted by utilizing the level of your outstretched arm and direction of the wrist in relation to the target, you can get away with very effective flicks with a medium (M) or stiff (D) blade.
So, following that explanation, here's the short answer: if you don't feel very strong in your wrist, arm, and shoulder, lean towards a medium (M) stiffness blade. If you have a good amount of upper body strength, lean more towards a stiff (D) blade.
@@osmfencing Thank You Coach🙏🏻
When did the lock-out time for foil change? Thanks @@osmfencing
those balusters are hanging on with finish nails
By the end a lot of those balusters were just dangling...