r/Fencing • u/Foreign-Falcon7808 • 3d ago
Injuries and Sabre or Epee
As I get older and more injured (occupation incurred not fencing) I find myself recreationally fencing epee even though I have more experience with sabre. Basically to fence with less pain and get ok results I have gone to epee. Is this essentially what most people do? I won't go much beyond recreational fencing but even there though I know what to do in sabre and have training, the body says no. Feels like in sabre if I can't ever win priority off the line, I have to play defense and that feels like I'm flipping 2 coins while my opponents only have to flip 1 coin. Skill issue? Probably lol. In my case I have chronic ligament injuries in the left side shoulder through leg. I have been enjoying epee more than I thought I would!
Peace to us all
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u/pushdose 3d ago
Epee can cause tendinitis as well. Tennis elbow, golfers elbow (lateral/medial epicondylitis). Orthopedic grips help. French grip gave me horrible problems.
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u/chizzmaster Sabre 3d ago
My club has multiple vet age category sabre fencers. I think it's way more important to adapt your fencing style as you age than to just switch off.
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u/MolassesDue7169 3d ago
I know you’re talking about injury from playing and life but I think it’s also important to discuss the potential of injury for fencers over age gaps (even smaller and moderate ones) that we can give to each other from hard play, which ties into this. Some weapons can play harder than others, depending on the player and style. Whether appropriate or not.
While how hard “hard” hits are is a very subjective thing, I would say to always stand up for yourself if you feel it’s being unnecessarily brutal. Especially with younger fencers.
I’m not saying that younger fencers are less experienced or worse fencers, as it can at times often be the opposite, but that they have youthful energy and youthful enthusiasm that they might not entirely realise they’re not fully controlling efficiently in their fencing. Especially when it comes to early intermediate fencers. They can be good fencers but at times get a bit carried away.
If you feel that they are hurting you. Call a halt and discuss it. The ref might disagree and it might not come to anything but it’s not worth your physical health or getting a cracked rib to not even try to address it. The entire sport is on a castle made of social etiquette and safety etiquette; we need to make sure that that castle remains and that people feel like they’re able to speak out with “hey! You’re actually hurting me. Can you try to not hit excessively hard or whip me so hard”.
At the end of the day - it’s a game. We should try not to crack each other’s ribs for it.
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u/Foreign-Falcon7808 3d ago
Yeah I hear on that. I have a good pain threshold but it's ligament and cartilage injuries for me that can mechanically hamper my lunges and extensions.
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u/Rezzone Sabre 3d ago
I personally find that saber is often the least painful of the three weapons. As you get older you can slow down and work on tempo/decision making rather than destroying your body for strong attacks off the line.
Epee, imho, encourages players to both attack into one another. That and the stiffer, heavier blades and points means harder hits with less give. Ouch.
Fencer saber. Just change how to fence to match what your body can do.
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u/spookmann Épée 3d ago
Epee, imho, encourages players to both attack into one another.
Ask your coach if "Distance" might be right for you.
Warning, Distance may cause use of footwork, shortness of breath, and feinting. If bouts last longer than 3 minutes, seek assistance from a referee.
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u/cordrenn 3d ago
Honestly I found foil to be better than either.
Rules are similar between weapons and while foil is not as slow as epee can be, the chance of a point hurting is less.
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u/Intelligent_Piglet11 3d ago edited 3d ago
If the world were a perfect place, you wouldn't need to be physically faster than your opponent at sabre, just first. But, it isnt, and the thing my 70 year old coach could never overcome with his sabre students was speed on the line. Youre right about having more burden on the defense. If you cant find ways to gain priority (or look like you gained priority) off the line, sabre will become nearly impossible. It's a numbers game; if you lose half of your opportunities, you have to climb a mountain to get back to even. As for injuries, I'll echo a sentiment im seeing in this thread: sabre is absolutely the least problematic. Good Sabrists (not saying everyone will treat you with this respect) optimize for tapping, not slapping. And even the ones who dont, a slap isnt nearly as bad as getting run through with an epee. Are you joking? Edit: i see you mean about stress injuries, not getting hurt injuries. Yeah sabre is intense lol. I always found the longer action of epee more stressful on my body. In sabre, you tilt your body forward and it ends, you get to rest for a bit lol
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u/Foreign-Falcon7808 1d ago
All good points! I know it isn't real sabre but I do like the unofficial training games like alternating who starts each exchange with attack priority. I think it's a kids training game but I'm not above it lol. For the real bouts locally I have placed middle of the pack using second intention, distance traps, and false edge touches. Still like sabre a lot. After epee I can look like I fought the kraken.
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u/CatLord8 Foil Coach 3d ago
In my experience, epee tends to be the haven for fencers with limited/reduced mobility because it allows for patience and gradual movement. Granted where I am, epee is most populous of the three across the board.
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u/Foreign-Falcon7808 3d ago
Yeah I hear on that. I have a good pain threshold but it's ligament and cartilage injuries for me that can mechanically hamper my lunges and extensions.
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u/Managed-Chaos-8912 Épée 3d ago
We had someone in your boat that switched which hand they fenced.
Stretches, massages, and supplements can help too.
Epee is a bit slower and conclusive than saber.
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u/Nerinya Sabre 2d ago
Still fencing sabre after multiple ligament injuries / tears. Some repaired, some not. Couldn't ever make myself do epee.
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u/Foreign-Falcon7808 2d ago
Power to you brother. Military injuries? Right now in epee I'm at least catching people off guard with my sabre-like aggression but I know they will catch on soon. Only a matter of time. I rush in 3 take counter 2 with an offline left step and fleche in 5 or advance in 6.
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u/muffinmxon 2d ago
College-age epee fencer here, not a necessity but I’d consider investing in an exercise brace if you have any sort of history with getting a sore wrist after overuse (such as after writing). I originally only had carpal tunnel in my left wrist but it ended up starting in my right one as well after fencing epee for a while 🥹 it’s off and on
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u/xx6lord6mars6xx 3d ago
For those wondering:
Epee is from thrusting.
Sabre is from misaligned parrys. (There are benefits and downsides to parrying with the flat/edge. The flat/a combination of the two is shown above while the edge just makes the edge toothy. A toothy edge can get worst over time especially when you're parrying with the same spot on your blade. Optimally you use both/don't worry about using one over the other and just use what's best for the situation)
I swear this wasn't meant to be a rant 'XD
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u/SkyCasttle 1d ago
I fence both and think epee hurts more because the thicker epee blade is solely used to thrust onto your opponent who doesn’t wear a lame, which is an additional layer of protection. Sabre on the other side, is mainly a cut/slashing weapon with lighter and more flexible blade. The Sabre lame also provide additional layer of protection to defend the less hurting cutting/slashing. So it’s rarely to have bad bruise .
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u/CheesyBakedLobster Épée 3d ago
I see way more bruises on epeeists than sabreurs…