TheRedArchive

~ archived since 2018 ~

8
9

A tip to improve your fighting prowess (self.becomeaman)

submitted by NewTRPer

Obligatory long time lurker, I decided to make an account and join the RP community more actively since I have learned a lot from you guys.

Anyway, what I want to say in this post is: learn fencing. I have been fencing for over a decade at a pretty high level, and I have also practiced other combat sports (where you actually get to punch someone).

I have found that fencing teaches you certain necessary insights into a fight - as well as some theory of fighting - better than almost any other combat sport. Because of a very specific focus in fencing on speed and tempo and distance you very quickly, even at a low level, learn those very well. This will then very quickly flow into your abilities regarding boxing or taekwondo or whatever you happen to be into, and it will improve aspects of your fighting prowess that you didn't even realise could use some improving.


[–]Gasping13 points14 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

I... actually have to disagree on this one... at least in regard to actually fighting (not sporting).

I was a national level fencer, as well as being qualified as a military unarmed combat instructor. I've also done some boxing, Muay Thai and KFM.

The dynamics of a real world fight are very different to what happens in a ring or on a piste. Fencers are conditioned to act with one hand, and to perceive the threat from their opponent as following similar lines. The responses that keep you unstabbed by a foil or epee are not appropriate when someone is windmilling punches at you.

We fight how we train. I've seen an Olympic fencer deflect a jab, riposte with the same hand, then get KO'd a half second later by the guy's other fist. The short of it is that the positives are mostly limited to sport 'fighting', and the instinctive responses it develops are bad juju in real world scuffles.

[–]NewTRPer[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I should have specified: I do saber. Furthermore, please note that I said that you would learn things from fencing that would then translate positively into other fighting abilities.

I didn't say 'literally use fencing to punch someone'. That's just a horrible idea. You still have to apply relevant technique. I said 'there are certain things that fencing teaches better than other combat sports, and I think it's a good idea to take up fencing to improve specific areas in other combat sports.'

Now being thought fighting by a military unarmed combat instructor is obviously a whole different ballgame, but in general the responses that keep you uncut by a saber are pretty similar to when someone is windmilling punches at you. And even the underlying ideas of foil and epee could be applied to real fights. For instance the simple idea of range. To be effective you have to either be able to dictate range (i.e. outrange the sucker) or you have to get in nice and close. This is still a long way away from 'someone is windmilling punches, better apply parry 4'

Edit: I actually came up with a pretty nice tl'dr, assuming that combat sports at least translate into a better fighting ability in real fights:

Lessons from fencing -> applied to other combat sports -> combat sports better applied to real life

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

go take some good BJJ lessons

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

The only way to get better at fighting is to actually fight.

Any full contact sparring is the way to go. Krav Maga, MMA, BJJ, etc. Krav Maga is my favorite, but you have to find a good school. We used to do drills where 4 instructors would smack you everywhere with rubber batons from the sides, with a good amount of force, while you had to defend yourself against knife attacks from another student.

Just don't take the fight to the ground yourself, because this is a good way to get kicked in the head by the friend of the dude you are trying to submit.

[–]1291815 2 points2 points [recovered] | Copy Link

The only tip a person really needs is to land that first jab, hard. When a person gets tagged they either back the fuck out or jump the fuck in. If you can learn to establish a jab you will probably beat the shit out of anyone in a barfight/streetfight etc.

[–]rocafella13212 points3 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

NEVER BACK DOWN

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Great movie, and amazing fights; I honestly wish I could fight like Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet).

[–]Backarch1841 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I am always reminded of Bruce Lee writing that fencing was the best art to learn on entering. Basically the fakes in fencing will help you set up the other attacks.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Also don't mess with someone who takes a fighting sport if you're just a liftbro. You'll get smacked down so damn easily.

[–]mbillion0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

you should not fight. It is okay to be in combat sports but in the real world fighting is a sign of you not having your shit together

[–]strategos_autokrator0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I've practice some other martial arts. Can you comment more on what is good about fencing? You claim it is very good at learning speed and tempo. I find boxing is amazing at that as well, mostly because of the relationship between a fast puncher and counterpuncher forces each other to think in terms of tempo. In professional fights this is very common, aggressivity doesn't win the fight, but however controls the tempo usually dominates.

What is it about fencing that is so good at these things over other sports?

[–]ohhaio0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

Where do you guys hang out that you are frequently at risk of getting into a street fight? I would like to know so that I can avoid those places...

[–]NewTRPer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

We hardly ever get into a fight. My collective group of friends has been in so few fights - total - you can count them on one hand. That's not the point.

You should never try to escalate to physical violence, but if someone escalates to physical violence and you can't prevent it, you should be able to defend yourself.

Imo a man should be able to fight, even if he doesn't apply it often.

[–]Fisionate-2 points-1 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Even if you did sabre - fencing is still WAY too linear to translate into actual fighting. Also..fencing fucks up your footwork. Unless you're going to be carrying around a sword (and lets face it, sport fencing sword are virtually useless in a real fight) in your day to day life, dont take up fencing if you want to learn to fight.

[–]nerdyknight1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I practice Western Martial Arts, the first thing they teach you when using a sword is NOT to stand like you are fencing. In WMA you do not have to stay in a straight line and need to stand with footwork that allows you to move around like a boxer. Even if you were going to carry around a sword fencing teaches way too many bad habits in a fight.

[–]NewTRPer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Once more, with feeling: take certain aspects that fencing teaches better than other martial arts, apply those in more practical martial arts and apply those more practical martial arts in a fight.

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.

© TheRedArchive 2024. All rights reserved.
created by /u/dream-hunter