Here's the lowdown on the new timings:

I love it. I fenced foil for a day at practice, and I was fencing
it like epee. It seriously felt like real bladework at the top
level with parry-riposte, stop-hits, and counter-attacks. Wow,
definately do stop-hits and counter-attacks with this new timing.

You lunge into their deep matching attack, and all they can do is
attempt to in-fight or flick (both of which do NOT work anymore).
By the time they get the point on your torso, the lockout time has
passed... one light, touch left. I was tearing through nationally
ranked foil fencers (and remember, I'm in epee!)

I fear that they will eventually get good at going back to the
basics, and begin to own foil again. I'm still sticking to epee, of
which I went undefeated in 15-touch bouts against the 2nd and 3rd
women's epee fencers and a senior men's epee fencer. Unfortunately
we're losing men's epee fencers like... fast. We started with a
very high number (more than any other weapon), but now we're about
even with the others.

Watching the old high-end foil though, made me want to cringe. It
looked like saber to the extreme, and THAT makes me want to shake my
head in confusion. I hope the new foil age prospers for our club!

Just remember: distance, tempo, point control, and fearlessness.
That's all you need to win.

Have fun. I'll be home from the 25th to the 27th for Thanksgiving.


-Eric