great video! Thanks for sharing. This concept of distinguishing between a parry and what you call a block is very applicable to saber. I call this the safety parry cause it's really just a distance pull with some blade cover to then start your attack, whereas the parry riposte is really something that happens because of setting the trap perfectly or great reflexes.
As a larger point, I'm really impressed by the way fencing RUclipss tend to be much less dogmatic and stereotyped than older media -- e.g published books. With all due respect to e.g. William Gaugler it makes a huge difference to be disseminating the ideas of active competitors rather than 'elder swordsmen.'
Question for you guys, do you happen to know Bac Tau? Or have been coached by him at all in yours years of experience? My dad learned fencing from him years ago (he grew up in Vancouver), and you guys just have a very similar fencing style, as well as where you're located. I was just curious. But thank you for your videos! Very informative! I thought I was going crazy because I just started teaching a small group in a very isolated area of BC, and I recall my dad always teaching me to parry with the point of my blade still aimed at my opponent. But all the videos I was finding had their blades go completely off target, and I was confused and second guessing if I was just misremembering. Your video on parry vs block really helped with that :)
Hello! We were both coached by Misha Itkin (father and coach of Nick Itkin) from Los Angeles International Fencing Center (LAIFC) who has been both our formative coach and greatest influence. Because of our travels and time at uni we’ve also had the pleasure of learning from other coaches. I (Joseph) have learned from Laszlo Jakob from Durham Univeristy, and Josh Runyan from UCSD while Eli has worked with Simon Gershon, and the late Bucky Leech as well as mannnnnny others. We recently moved to BC, no, we haven’t met him (yet) :)
@@s-class8871 Ooooh! Thank you so much for clarifying. I just figured you both have lived down there for a while. But that's so cool! I just found your videos, so looking forward to using them to help me coach this in this tiny town!
So wanted to specifically credit you guys for making a techinque/waza click for me in Kendo (Japanese fencing). Kiriotoshi-waza (lit. dropping cut technique) is the famous secret guarantee hit move of the Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu school which I saw was possible in Kendo. But I couldn't understand the mechanics of the move. That was, until I watched this vid and realized the importance/OP-ness of the strong of the blade. Turns out Kiriotoshi is using the strong of your blade to cut down on the opponents tip whilst both are in a cut down motion. The strong of your blade ends of deflecting the target blade. This causes your blade to hit the head on target, whilst the other misses. The move is simultaneously a cut and parry. (2:30-2:42 ruclips.net/video/Cy-EcTaJkyI/видео.html). So just wanted to share and thank you guys for the awesome video. I regularly and continue to use the concepts I learned here in my Kendo.
Also, the technical term many use to describe the simultaneous block and strike you're referring to is called an "opposition." our apologies for responding so late!
Hello- on the topic of parries and defense, I tend to be more aggressive by nature and in my fencing club try to focus on defense to improve it, to be more well-rounded. When I am against a hyper-aggressive opponent that is so messy with their blade that parries and counterattacks seem near-impossible, I try to control the distance and feint them out of their blade hide so their attack misses. However, they just keep advancing and run me near-off the strip. TLDR; how to take back right of way from a hyper-aggressive opponent without closing the distance too much, maybe get better at interrupting their attack like mentioned in the video and infighting?
That is one way. Using disruption. With this you can sometimes (not all the time) stand your ground. Force them to have to hit you then and there. Best to use this in the middle as you have the rest of the piste to step back and they may still be thinking about marching (thus they are not ready). Another is to be the first of the line and go with a fast direct attack. If they are still in the prep mode then they may not be ready for a direct attack or they may even attempt to parry it. Another is to break distance from a step lunge and then establish point in line. The opponent must then respect that (hold your nerve and expect them to beat your blade). Another is to time a counter attack. If they like to do big wide circles or hold the blade back a quick direct attack (lunge or fleche) followed by closing the line they are most likely to attack is a great way to score a hit and stop them. With the last one you want to keep moving forward. Lastly if they like to go from slow to super fast wait for that change in tempo and then step in/step and turn with a counter attack. Again you can close the line they are attacking and ideally you just want to hit and beat the timer on the box before they score their touch. Of course you have the setting of traps (hop in and hop out). Bait counter attacks and take a big step back or hop when they attack. Other things is when they miss put the pressure on them. They may attack and miss and then go again. If they miss you are ready to pounce and hit them. This is obvious to the ref when an attack is ‘No’. Other things you can do is beat their blade and then go to hit. I love to beat and then fleche. Time it right and you’ll score the touch 99% of the time. Using any of the above and mixing it up will hopefully have the impact on the opponent that they just can’t attack all the time. And by getting good at these they will become frustrated if all they do is try to attack and you keep scoring hits. It’s demoralising go 1-0 down, then 2 then 3 then 4 etc. Hope this helps. Well done for pushing yourself to work on defence. Being on defence doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive nor take the fight to the opponent.
imo the distinction makes no sense - blocking looks to be just a incorrectly done parry. I've been taught that correctly done parry should: 1) cover threaten target, 2)enable a repost, 3) be done in one fluid motion, 4)enable to switch to another parry (in cease of disengage) 5)be done in the right tempo (not to late, not fast)
I don't get the distinction either. Admittedly when we close the distance blade movements inevitably get bigger as the target comes closer. Keeping the point on target is fundamental in defence as you lack time to have it pointing anywhere else. When we open the distance the reverse is true, hand movements can be smaller although tactically you can play around with point positions as fencing in absence has tactical advantages. Especially if your opponent is stupidly fixated with your blade.
Your videos are full of great tips - but DO something about the sound! Can not hear you clearly! Using CC helps, but that translates a little funny sometimes. Thank goodness we know it's a riposte and not a Reebok!
Yes! These are great videos, makes my coaching job a lot easier (and LESS VERBOSE)... But please, please, experiment with some mics. (along with your gopro cameras?)
Unnecessary pointless terminology added to decorate basic concepts to impress the naive with secret 'techniques'. Not necessarily wrong just way too much bs where none is necessary.
![Mongoose Style | | Fencing Tutorial [Movement Style] (Foil, Epee, Saber)](/img/1.gif)
I love the first person angle you guys choose to use for this video, most fencing videos are filmed from the side which is totally useless
One of the most useful videos about foil fencing I've ever seen. Helps build the foundation of a strong defensive game plan.
great video! Thanks for sharing. This concept of distinguishing between a parry and what you call a block is very applicable to saber. I call this the safety parry cause it's really just a distance pull with some blade cover to then start your attack, whereas the parry riposte is really something that happens because of setting the trap perfectly or great reflexes.
Absolutely useful fencing lesson.Expecting more and more.!
The POV videos are sooo helpful!!
I got 8 pages of notes out of this, thanks!! 😃❤🔥🙌
That’s awesome! Our students also keep notebooks, one of the secret ways to improve rapidly.
@@s-class8871 thanks! I've noticed it is a fast way to progress, so thank you for making something for me to take notes on haha :D
Is the note taking for reference or do you have a system with worksheets? That helps you implement and put the knowledge to practice?
As a larger point, I'm really impressed by the way fencing RUclipss tend to be much less dogmatic and stereotyped than older media -- e.g published books. With all due respect to e.g. William Gaugler it makes a huge difference to be disseminating the ideas of active competitors rather than 'elder swordsmen.'
Question for you guys, do you happen to know Bac Tau? Or have been coached by him at all in yours years of experience? My dad learned fencing from him years ago (he grew up in Vancouver), and you guys just have a very similar fencing style, as well as where you're located. I was just curious.
But thank you for your videos! Very informative! I thought I was going crazy because I just started teaching a small group in a very isolated area of BC, and I recall my dad always teaching me to parry with the point of my blade still aimed at my opponent. But all the videos I was finding had their blades go completely off target, and I was confused and second guessing if I was just misremembering. Your video on parry vs block really helped with that :)
Hello! We were both coached by Misha Itkin (father and coach of Nick Itkin) from Los Angeles International Fencing Center (LAIFC) who has been both our formative coach and greatest influence. Because of our travels and time at uni we’ve also had the pleasure of learning from other coaches. I (Joseph) have learned from Laszlo Jakob from Durham Univeristy, and Josh Runyan from UCSD while Eli has worked with Simon Gershon, and the late Bucky Leech as well as mannnnnny others.
We recently moved to BC, no, we haven’t met him (yet) :)
@@s-class8871 Ooooh! Thank you so much for clarifying. I just figured you both have lived down there for a while. But that's so cool! I just found your videos, so looking forward to using them to help me coach this in this tiny town!
Thanks for the tips 😁
So wanted to specifically credit you guys for making a techinque/waza click for me in Kendo (Japanese fencing).
Kiriotoshi-waza (lit. dropping cut technique) is the famous secret guarantee hit move of the Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu school which I saw was possible in Kendo. But I couldn't understand the mechanics of the move. That was, until I watched this vid and realized the importance/OP-ness of the strong of the blade.
Turns out Kiriotoshi is using the strong of your blade to cut down on the opponents tip whilst both are in a cut down motion. The strong of your blade ends of deflecting the target blade. This causes your blade to hit the head on target, whilst the other misses. The move is simultaneously a cut and parry.
(2:30-2:42 ruclips.net/video/Cy-EcTaJkyI/видео.html).
So just wanted to share and thank you guys for the awesome video. I regularly and continue to use the concepts I learned here in my Kendo.
We're so glad you were able to apply this to kendo! Thanks so cool!
Also, the technical term many use to describe the simultaneous block and strike you're referring to is called an "opposition." our apologies for responding so late!
amazing hair style
Great video marred by sound coming in and going out. Any chance of recompiling the sound wtih some equalization between segments?
Hello- on the topic of parries and defense, I tend to be more aggressive by nature and in my fencing club try to focus on defense to improve it, to be more well-rounded. When I am against a hyper-aggressive opponent that is so messy with their blade that parries and counterattacks seem near-impossible, I try to control the distance and feint them out of their blade hide so their attack misses. However, they just keep advancing and run me near-off the strip. TLDR; how to take back right of way from a hyper-aggressive opponent without closing the distance too much, maybe get better at interrupting their attack like mentioned in the video and infighting?
That is one way. Using disruption.
With this you can sometimes (not all the time) stand your ground. Force them to have to hit you then and there. Best to use this in the middle as you have the rest of the piste to step back and they may still be thinking about marching (thus they are not ready).
Another is to be the first of the line and go with a fast direct attack. If they are still in the prep mode then they may not be ready for a direct attack or they may even attempt to parry it.
Another is to break distance from a step lunge and then establish point in line. The opponent must then respect that (hold your nerve and expect them to beat your blade).
Another is to time a counter attack. If they like to do big wide circles or hold the blade back a quick direct attack (lunge or fleche) followed by closing the line they are most likely to attack is a great way to score a hit and stop them.
With the last one you want to keep moving forward.
Lastly if they like to go from slow to super fast wait for that change in tempo and then step in/step and turn with a counter attack.
Again you can close the line they are attacking and ideally you just want to hit and beat the timer on the box before they score their touch.
Of course you have the setting of traps (hop in and hop out). Bait counter attacks and take a big step back or hop when they attack.
Other things is when they miss put the pressure on them. They may attack and miss and then go again. If they miss you are ready to pounce and hit them. This is obvious to the ref when an attack is ‘No’.
Other things you can do is beat their blade and then go to hit. I love to beat and then fleche. Time it right and you’ll score the touch 99% of the time.
Using any of the above and mixing it up will hopefully have the impact on the opponent that they just can’t attack all the time.
And by getting good at these they will become frustrated if all they do is try to attack and you keep scoring hits. It’s demoralising go 1-0 down, then 2 then 3 then 4 etc.
Hope this helps. Well done for pushing yourself to work on defence. Being on defence doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive nor take the fight to the opponent.
Great tips! Thanks
Good job guys
Hello just subscribed do you think you could explain a bit on someways to trick your opponent into expecting a specific attack or response from you.
Keep on doing it, and show them that you are going to do it, I am his student and this is what he says.
You are awesome!
The Canadian Mask says "See you next time." 😂
oh shit I used to know nick itkin at 6:43 when he was like 10
The concept of blocking vs parrying is kind of blowing my mind rn
imo the distinction makes no sense - blocking looks to be just a incorrectly done parry. I've been taught that correctly done parry should: 1) cover threaten target, 2)enable a repost, 3) be done in one fluid motion, 4)enable to switch to another parry (in cease of disengage) 5)be done in the right tempo (not to late, not fast)
I don't get the distinction either. Admittedly when we close the distance blade movements inevitably get bigger as the target comes closer. Keeping the point on target is fundamental in defence as you lack time to have it pointing anywhere else. When we open the distance the reverse is true, hand movements can be smaller although tactically you can play around with point positions as fencing in absence has tactical advantages. Especially if your opponent is stupidly fixated with your blade.
Your videos are full of great tips - but DO something about the sound! Can not hear you clearly! Using CC helps, but that translates a little funny sometimes. Thank goodness we know it's a riposte and not a Reebok!
Yes! These are great videos, makes my coaching job a lot easier (and LESS VERBOSE)...
But please, please, experiment with some mics. (along with your gopro cameras?)
Unnecessary pointless terminology added to decorate basic concepts to impress the naive with secret 'techniques'. Not necessarily wrong just way too much bs where none is necessary.
are fencing swords flimsy to avoid any accidental force when the sword is pushed into the enemy for safety?