Teaching moment
I found myself beating up on one of our most promising students this latest practice (fencing in this case). He has gravitated to a style of fencing that focuses on speed over mathematics, surprise over leverage and strategy- this kind of style, IMHO, is a short-cut to domination over fencers of average talent, and has the disadvantage that it only really works while your joints are young and supple, and your reflexes are razor sharp. Not a great path for anyone who wants to play the game to the top ranks, or who wants to improve across the course of their life, so observing this disappointed me. He was, however, a student of another teacher so it was not my place to propose alternatives, lest I step on that instructors toes.
Anyway, once I figured out that this was his game, and that this speed-counter strategy of his was leaving him with a sub-par parrying repertoire, I switched my rapier to my left hand, lowered my right hand, and proceeded to beat him mercilessly in bout after bout. Halfway through I informed him that, using the style of fencing that he was focusing on, he would never land another touch upon me. I beat him a few more times before retiring to other pursuits, to drive the lesson home.
I did find myself feeling guilty, however, and feeling that I might have been too harsh with him, and apologized by mail the next day. To my surprise he had nothing but praise for the way I had vividly demonstrated for him the gaps in his style, and he agreed that I was right about his style limiting his defensive options. I had not anticipated this outcome, but it is always immensely fulfilling when a bit of positive feedback like this comes along. I still think I was too harsh, and that many students would not react so positively, but I have always suspected that my style is best suited to teaching the exceptionally durable...
Anyway, once I figured out that this was his game, and that this speed-counter strategy of his was leaving him with a sub-par parrying repertoire, I switched my rapier to my left hand, lowered my right hand, and proceeded to beat him mercilessly in bout after bout. Halfway through I informed him that, using the style of fencing that he was focusing on, he would never land another touch upon me. I beat him a few more times before retiring to other pursuits, to drive the lesson home.
I did find myself feeling guilty, however, and feeling that I might have been too harsh with him, and apologized by mail the next day. To my surprise he had nothing but praise for the way I had vividly demonstrated for him the gaps in his style, and he agreed that I was right about his style limiting his defensive options. I had not anticipated this outcome, but it is always immensely fulfilling when a bit of positive feedback like this comes along. I still think I was too harsh, and that many students would not react so positively, but I have always suspected that my style is best suited to teaching the exceptionally durable...