Cross-training

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.

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Cross-training