| Judging from the inquiries I've received | | | | self-confidence. |
| about it recently, "cross-training" seems the | | | | |
| hot topic at the moment. | | | | I have found so much of horsemanship to be |
| | | | directly applicable to the sword (and, to be |
| All kinds of athletes are praising the | | | | fair, sometimes vice versa) that it's like |
| virtues of engaging in some activity other | | | | rediscovering the basic principles new and |
| than their specialty in order to complement | | | | fresh all over again. |
| or enhance their principle sport. Usually, | | | | |
| the cross-training activity has some specific | | | | Plus you get to spend time with some of the |
| transfer value, that is, it develops the same | | | | most beautiful beings on the planet. |
| muscles or uses the same or similar movements | | | | |
| as the cross-trainer's principle sport. | | | | If you don't do anything else, do this one. |
| | | | |
| This is nothing new. Conditioning programs of | | | | Music Learn to play a musical instrument. |
| all kinds are based on this idea. That's why | | | | |
| boxers do roadwork and athletes of all kinds | | | | Learn it well enough that you can read music |
| lift weights. | | | | and play what's written. And learn it well |
| | | | enough that you can get together with other |
| First, cross-training is irrelevant to the | | | | musicians to play. |
| beginner. Beginners should concentrate on | | | | |
| fencing itself. But advanced fencers who are | | | | This will be a great deal of fun, which is |
| training at a higher level and are making | | | | reason enough to do it. |
| greater demands on themselves in terms of | | | | |
| training volume, duration, frequency and | | | | But you will also enhance your ability to |
| intensity, may find it useful. | | | | focus your concentration, to feel rhythm and |
| | | | tempo, to understand what other people are |
| In order to be beneficial for fencing, the | | | | expressing, to read their emotions. All of |
| supplementary activity should do one or more | | | | which comes quite in handy in a fencing |
| of several things: it should improve the | | | | match. |
| foundational elements of fencing: balance, | | | | |
| line, focus and distance it should enhance | | | | Dance Dancing is fencing without bloodshed. |
| the appropriate energy system, matching the | | | | It is about connectedness and intimate |
| metabolic demands of fencing it should | | | | communication, feeling not thinking. |
| develop your muscular strength and endurance | | | | |
| it should enhance your fencing-specific | | | | The main difference between dancing and |
| skills -- or at least, it should not | | | | fighting is that when you dance with someone |
| contravene them It should provide you with a | | | | you are trying to communicate truthfully and |
| "change of pace" from your regular routine in | | | | when you fight you are quite often lying. |
| order to avoid over-training and stagnation. | | | | |
| | | | But whether you tell the truth or a lie, |
| High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) If | | | | saying it clearly in movement is fundamental |
| you want something that transfers precisely | | | | to swordplay. |
| to fencing, that's easy: fence! Fencing is a | | | | |
| skill-based activity and nothing will make | | | | Magic Much of magic is based on misdirection. |
| you as skillful at fencing as fencing itself. | | | | |
| But I'll share with you a little training and | | | | So is combat. Direct your opponent's |
| conditioning secret of mine: interval | | | | attention to one line then hit in another. |
| training. This is for advanced fencers only. | | | | Presto. |
| Here's how it works: First, warm up | | | | |
| thoroughly. | | | | Boxing Boxing is fencing with both hands and |
| | | | a few more band-aids. Until you've worked out |
| Then, set a timer for a specific period -- | | | | as hard as a boxer works out, you have no |
| let's say 30 seconds. I use an interval timer | | | | idea what a tough workout is. |
| so that I can set it to sound a signal at | | | | |
| specified periods. 30 second intervals and a | | | | Boxing will hone your fighting spirit to a |
| 3 or 4 minute round. Then a 30-60 second rest | | | | razor's edge and teach you more than you ever |
| period. | | | | though you'd know about committment. You will |
| | | | also learn about cherishing your opponent and |
| Do 30 seconds of, for example, advances, | | | | a lesson or two about the transient nature of |
| slow, precise and easy. | | | | victory. |
| | | | |
| The next 30 seconds do advances hard and fast | | | | Sailing The sword is based on the same |
| as you can -- still as perfectly as possible; | | | | natural principles as sailing. It's |
| don't through skill out the window -- but | | | | awe-inspiring to see them at work on a grand |
| keep pushing the envelope of speed/intensity. | | | | scale, a little fencing match between you and |
| | | | the wind. Your boat is your foil, the water |
| You can do various kinds of footwork this | | | | the president du combat. Sailing will teach |
| way, first slow and easy, then hard and fast. | | | | you that the shortest distance between two |
| You will be improving your conditioning while | | | | points is not always a straight line. |
| improving your skill at the same time by | | | | |
| using fencing actions instead of, say, going | | | | Weight lifting No doubt about it, stronger is |
| out for a jog. | | | | better. |
| | | | |
| Jogging, by the way, is almost worthless to a | | | | The stronger you are, the easier it is to do |
| fencer. | | | | everything. As an extra added benefit you |
| | | | will improve your health, too. |
| It doesn't match the metabolic demands of a | | | | |
| fencing bout, it doesn't simulate fencing | | | | Weight-training also provides you with a |
| movements and it pounds your ankles, knees | | | | great boon to your spirit because you have |
| and lower back into trash. | | | | measurable and undeniable proof of your |
| | | | progress. |
| If you must run, run intervals. At least | | | | |
| you'll build your anaerobic capacity and | | | | Be sure you get some expert guidance planning |
| that's what you need in fencing. 30 seconds | | | | your program though. Gyms are full of guys |
| easy jog/30 sprint and repeat 3-15 times. | | | | with all their brains in their biceps just |
| | | | waiting to hand out worthless advice to the |
| You can do bladework intervals, too. | | | | novice -- especially if the novice is a |
| | | | woman. |
| I alternate handwork alone with handwork and | | | | |
| footwork combined. For example: 30 seconds, | | | | Give of yourself Work in a soup kitchen. |
| straight-thrust followed by 30 seconds | | | | Plant some trees. Adopt a stray. Teach |
| straight thrust-lunge-recover. 30 seconds | | | | someone how to read. Visit someone who's |
| parry 6te-straight riposte a pied firme, 30 | | | | alone. |
| seconds riposte by lunge. | | | | |
| | | | Protect someone in danger. Comfort someone in |
| Depending on how I feel I might rest every | | | | pain. |
| second, third or fourth interval. | | | | |
| | | | Remember that strength means nothing unless |
| I've done a tremendous variety of actions | | | | you use it to help those who are not strong. |
| this way and it's become one of my favorite | | | | |
| practice routines. | | | | The soul of the sword is benevolence. |
| | | | |
| HIIT is VERY demanding and if you do it too | | | | Stand up for truth, justice and mercy. |
| often you'll probably over-train -- and | | | | |
| that's the worst thing you can do. | | | | Be sure those muscles get plenty of exercise. |
| | | | |
| Use it as a spice not as a staple. | | | | Rest Be sure to schedule in some time off. |
| | | | |
| Okay, how about some real cross-training | | | | I mean really off. Time to do nothing in |
| activities. Here are my recommendations. | | | | particular. Sit in the sun and watch the |
| | | | breeze blow. Stretch out and read a book. |
| It may not be what you expected. | | | | Watch an old 3-hanky movie. |
| | | | |
| Horsemanship. | | | | Listen. Love. Laugh. |
| | | | |
| My top choice. | | | | Even if these things didn't improve your |
| | | | fencing one whit, they would still be well |
| You will learn an incredible amount from your | | | | worth doing in and of themselves, so you have |
| equine mentors. You'll re-define "balance" | | | | absolutely nothing to lose and everything to |
| and have a better understanding of the | | | | gain. The worst that can happen is that you |
| importance of remaining "centered." You'll | | | | will inadvertently become a more well-rounded |
| develop your sensitivity, enhance the | | | | and interesting person and enjoy life more |
| lightness of your hand, increase your | | | | while doing it. |