That’s awesome! Our students also keep notebooks, one of the secret ways to improve rapidly.

@@s-class8871 thanks! I've noticed it is a fast way to progress, so thank you for making something for me to take notes on haha :D

Is the note taking for reference or do you have a system with worksheets? That helps you implement and put the knowledge to practice?

Hello! We were both coached by Misha Itkin (father and coach of Nick Itkin) from Los Angeles International Fencing Center (LAIFC) who has been both our formative coach and greatest influence. Because of our travels and time at uni we’ve also had the pleasure of learning from other coaches. I (Joseph) have learned from Laszlo Jakob from Durham Univeristy, and Josh Runyan from UCSD while Eli has worked with Simon Gershon, and the late Bucky Leech as well as mannnnnny others. We recently moved to BC, no, we haven’t met him (yet) :)

@@s-class8871 Ooooh! Thank you so much for clarifying. I just figured you both have lived down there for a while. But that's so cool! I just found your videos, so looking forward to using them to help me coach this in this tiny town!

Keep on doing it, and show them that you are going to do it, I am his student and this is what he says.

That is one way. Using disruption. With this you can sometimes (not all the time) stand your ground. Force them to have to hit you then and there. Best to use this in the middle as you have the rest of the piste to step back and they may still be thinking about marching (thus they are not ready). Another is to be the first of the line and go with a fast direct attack. If they are still in the prep mode then they may not be ready for a direct attack or they may even attempt to parry it. Another is to break distance from a step lunge and then establish point in line. The opponent must then respect that (hold your nerve and expect them to beat your blade). Another is to time a counter attack. If they like to do big wide circles or hold the blade back a quick direct attack (lunge or fleche) followed by closing the line they are most likely to attack is a great way to score a hit and stop them. With the last one you want to keep moving forward. Lastly if they like to go from slow to super fast wait for that change in tempo and then step in/step and turn with a counter attack. Again you can close the line they are attacking and ideally you just want to hit and beat the timer on the box before they score their touch. Of course you have the setting of traps (hop in and hop out). Bait counter attacks and take a big step back or hop when they attack. Other things is when they miss put the pressure on them. They may attack and miss and then go again. If they miss you are ready to pounce and hit them. This is obvious to the ref when an attack is ‘No’. Other things you can do is beat their blade and then go to hit. I love to beat and then fleche. Time it right and you’ll score the touch 99% of the time. Using any of the above and mixing it up will hopefully have the impact on the opponent that they just can’t attack all the time. And by getting good at these they will become frustrated if all they do is try to attack and you keep scoring hits. It’s demoralising go 1-0 down, then 2 then 3 then 4 etc. Hope this helps. Well done for pushing yourself to work on defence. Being on defence doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive nor take the fight to the opponent.

We're so glad you were able to apply this to kendo! Thanks so cool!

Also, the technical term many use to describe the simultaneous block and strike you're referring to is called an "opposition." our apologies for responding so late!

imo the distinction makes no sense - blocking looks to be just a incorrectly done parry. I've been taught that correctly done parry should: 1) cover threaten target, 2)enable a repost, 3) be done in one fluid motion, 4)enable to switch to another parry (in cease of disengage) 5)be done in the right tempo (not to late, not fast)

I don't get the distinction either. Admittedly when we close the distance blade movements inevitably get bigger as the target comes closer. Keeping the point on target is fundamental in defence as you lack time to have it pointing anywhere else. When we open the distance the reverse is true, hand movements can be smaller although tactically you can play around with point positions as fencing in absence has tactical advantages. Especially if your opponent is stupidly fixated with your blade.

Yes! These are great videos, makes my coaching job a lot easier (and LESS VERBOSE)... But please, please, experiment with some mics. (along with your gopro cameras?)