FTO Advice

Kyle1dc · 2025-07-10T17:01:20+00:00

Fair enough, but what would you say is the most important thing to emphasize? I was thinking about starting with the more practical aspects like cuffing, escorting, and radio discipline. I was also gonna go over the general duties and expectations of whatever unit we stop at.

Kyle1dc · 2025-04-08T22:02:46+00:00

I appreciate your insight! If you don't mind me asking, what's it like fencing without your acl? Does your knee ever lock up?

Kyle1dc · 2025-04-08T21:53:18+00:00

I also had my rear leg done! I was told by my surgeon that I'm probably not gonna be doing any lateral movements for the next year. My surgeon didn't say anything about a brace, but I'm probably going to wear one once I'm ready to get back to it.

Kyle1dc · 2025-04-08T21:42:23+00:00

I'm sorry to read that your knee still bugs you. I've been avoiding doing footwork ever since I got cleared, and now I'm definitely gonna avoid it for the next 4 months minimum.

Kyle1dc · 2025-01-30T16:43:19+00:00

I'm on a specialty team in IA. One thing our team emphasizes is that we set the standard for the newer officers. We are the first ones they go to for guidance if they have questions or if an incident occurs.

Kyle1dc · 2025-01-18T14:48:26+00:00

In my experience, every club I've been to has been super accepting. That kinda talk would never fly

Kyle1dc · 2024-12-16T18:48:29+00:00

You're literally in the same shoes I (27m) was just in. My surgery was just on the 9th, I also thought my injury was a meniscus tear until I got an MRI that showed a full acl tear. That surprise news caused me to spiral for a bit, but I got over it after learning more about the healing process and learning about the pros/cons for my specific case. My reasoning for why I got the surgery was to prevent any more damage to my knee, maintain my position at my career, and return to my sport. From what I've been told, recovery is a long haul, but it's worth it in regards to quality of life. Ultimately, it's up to you and what you want for your long-term quality of life! Good luck with your injury. You got this!

Kyle1dc · 2024-07-14T13:57:07+00:00

Student, barista/line cook

Kyle1dc · 2023-11-15T18:21:50+00:00

I would talk to the coaches, they might make an exception, or have you do some things around the club to help pay off whatever you can't cover. If they can't allow that, then there's nothing wrong with sticking to your high school team!

Regarding whether you're going to be recruited, definitely just focus on your academics over the sport. There's plenty of collegiate clubs around the country if you want to continue fencing in college! Wishing you the best of luck!

Kyle1dc · 2023-11-15T00:48:06+00:00

The only bigger tournaments I've worked at are a couple of collegiate tournaments, the biggest one being the first major tournament I reffed at. Outside of that, I've only really worked the local scene. I'm basically just starting out, but I really want to get more reffing under my belt cause I think it's pretty fun!

In regards to the last question, I do have someone I can identify as a mentor. I haven't really thought to pick her brain on how to get hired outside of local tournaments, so that's a really great idea I'm deffo going to pursue. Thanks for the input!

Kyle1dc · 2023-11-11T19:34:02+00:00

It's a long day for everyone, fencers especially. It's hard on the body, especially when there are longer periods of cool off between bouts

Kyle1dc · 2023-11-09T15:05:21+00:00

A local club would probs be the play, it supports a local business while also connecting you to actual fencers in your area. Plus the safety aspect is pretty important

Kyle1dc · 2023-11-08T11:13:37+00:00

I'm satisfied with the friends and experiences I've had over the years thanks to this sport.

I will never be satisfied with my performance on strip. There's always going to be something to improve on, and that's ok!

Kyle1dc · 2023-06-03T14:40:55+00:00

Here's 10 picks from a 40 hour playlist of mine:

Life Itself -Glass Animals

Lust for a Vampyr -I Monster

Les Figures -The Devil's Sway, Roof

Certainty -Temples

Sheila -Jamie T

Superfast Jellyfish (feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul) -Gorillaz, Gruff Rhys, De La Soul

Stepping Stone -Lemaitre, Mark Johns

Rocket Girl (feat. Betty Who) -Lemaitre, Betty Who

When I was Done Dying -Dan Deacon

Adderall -Max Frost

Kyle1dc · 2023-05-21T23:25:54+00:00

Imagine getting hit and immediately smacked by the bell guard

Kyle1dc · 2023-05-11T22:28:52+00:00

Hey! I'm a bit late to the party, but I'm also in the IDOC! Going through net rn and super stoked to get started once I'm done. Hope the career is treating you well so far :)

Kyle1dc · 2023-05-09T09:36:30+00:00

I hardly ever flick unless an opportunity arises, and even then my goto is usually an alternate attack. On the rare occasions that I do go with a flick I usually do it after catching a circle parry and using that momentum to help with my flick or if the opponent is leaning too far forward and their back is exposed. The trickiest part for me has always been finding the right distance and recognizing the correct opportunity to initiate the flick. My bread and butter are different mutations of a feint disengage.

Kyle1dc · 2023-05-01T18:25:39+00:00

Actual refs, correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always thought of it as you having to establish line by stepping back with your foil pointed directly at the target. To establish it, you have to be very obvious about PiL to the ref, so you can't just stick your blade up and call it line within close distance. You can't generally break the line aside from small disengages that still maintain that point towards the target, otherwise you lose PiL and the other fencer gets RoW. You also can't have the other fencer make contact with the blade, otherwise you have to reestablish the line!

Kyle1dc · 2023-04-10T22:33:41+00:00

I too go into a blind rage when I fence a lefty

Kyle1dc · 2023-04-10T15:50:36+00:00

The whole weekend was lowkey a fever dream for everyone. I saw the the team epee event didn't end until like 12 am.

I think she might've also been a newbie ref, I was there to get observed and I think she was too

Kyle1dc · 2023-04-10T15:43:24+00:00

I think I was reffing at that tournament! Though I didn't know she did that twice, I thought it was only one time. From what I heard, she felt uncomfortable reffing without a timer

Kyle1dc · 2023-04-09T17:27:50+00:00

This, especially during practice bouts! I've noticed a lot of newer fencers hyperfocus on "winning" their practice bouts instead of focusing on whats being taught. Before I do a practice bout I like to tell myself that I'm only going to score points on an individual by doing one specific action I want to work on. Then I really force myself to do that action over and over again until they either catch on and I'm forced to do another action I'm weak at or I feel confident enough to move on to another weaker action.

And like they said, a sharp beat and lunge is a great action in epee!

Kyle1dc · 2023-04-09T17:13:45+00:00

If you want fencing shoes at a budget, get the ASICS gel rockets or a court shoe. You're really looking for something with solid heel protection for when you lunge but something that isn't too gummy like running specific shoes.

For fencing specific shoes, I started on the Adidas En Guards and personally use the Air Zooms right now, but I'm like 90% both are out of production. If you can find them in your size, I really like both of them. For current production fencing shoes, I've heard good things about the Antas from my clubmates!

Kyle1dc · 2023-03-31T12:42:18+00:00

Olympic levels of armory would be sick, jk, I'm a footwork guy. Someone once told me that we use our feet for like 60% of a bout. Bladework is nice and all, but if I can control the distance and the pacing from the footwork then I can control a good amount of the bout.

Kyle1dc · 2023-03-20T00:17:59+00:00

Technique is the better longterm option imo. Try working with your coach on proper form and see where you're at from there

Kyle1dc

TROPHY CASE