Why fencers should bounce: A new method of movement to engage the stretch-shortening cycle

Abstract

While teaching a heel first contact style of footwork in fencing (also referred to as toe contribution avoidance) is in keeping with long standing traditions, it is not conducive to today's modern style of fast paced and explosive fencing. Equally, fencers towards the elite-end seem to be gradually adopting a more spring-based style, as their body progressively and organically transitions to "ball of the foot" based footwork, in order for them to fence competitively in the manner they have intuitively associated with success. Therefore, if from a young age fencers are taught to make full use of the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) via "bouncing" or simply by initiating movement via the ball of the foot, this will expedite the learning process. It will demonstrate to them how the SSC can be used to move at greater speed, cover greater distances when advancing, retreating and lunging, and conserve the much-needed energy required to compete over day long competitions. This paper details the mechanistic underpinnings of the SSC and its application to the modern day fencer.

The Impact of the Implementation of Lunge Exercise with Heel Striking on Fencing

“…Fencing is a sport that was taken and competed at the first Olympics in Athens in 1896 [1], where this fencing is a battle sport with ancient traditions of war or duel [2]. With the development of the era, the sport of fencing continues to grow both regarding fencing recreation itself as well as the development of fencing patterns.…”

“…With the development of the era, the sport of fencing continues to grow both regarding fencing recreation itself as well as the development of fencing patterns. Modern fencing is now a fastpaced and explosive game in motion [2].…”

“…A fencing athlete needs a constant range of movements in forward, backward, and attacking during competitive matches [1]. The movement of the foot in the first contact fencing that touches the floor is part of the heel [2], explained in Turner & Harmenberg [2]:…”

“…From a young age, fencers drilled forward, backward movements in fencing using shoe heels [2]. Described in Sinclair and Bottoms to advance, lift your leading toe and step forward.…”

Experimental Discussion About the Influence of the Proficiency in Tankendo in the Foot Posture

“…On the other hand, in fencing mainly using thrusting, a player turns the directions of his/her upper body and left foot by 90 degrees relative to the direction of movement. For this reason, in fencing, the relationship between the front foot, which is a dominant foot, and the rear foot, which is a pivoting foot, is likened to the hands indicating 9:00 on the clock face (Turner & Harmenberg, 2017). However, in "sabre" among fencing events, both the striking and thrusting techniques are effective; therefore, the body posture and foot posture has taken by a player seem to be somewhat different from those of other two events.…”