I think two newbie people is ideal. One, it provides a back up if one of the two are not available. Two, they can both specialize in one of two methods, i.e., one does drills, and one does technique and theory; and finally, two is not over-whelming, at least from my perspective. Having two people designated as the newbie people limits access to the newbies, but it also enables the newbie to develop in a rather realxing, yet standardized environment, rather than learning in the haphazard manner which has been my experience in fencing thus far.
Let's take the incident above as an example.
We were doing line drills in the small room. The leader decided to have us do a step-attack. I had never done a step attack in my life, so I asked him to demonstrate. I tried it out, and immediately, three people jumped on me, offering different ways to do it and to do other things, most of which didn't make sense to me. I was getting flustered, when the leader decided to add his opinion on them and it ended it up the partner I was practicing with decided to add his own teachings in. I got frustrated. When I learn in a class, I want one person teaching the class, not a committee. So I excused myself, got myself out of my equipment and really haven't seriously practiced since, except for some sparring with Jacomo and one or two drill work bits with Lynch.
If I am doing something, I was expect my teacher to critique me. I don't take to kindly to people offering opinions from the sidelines unless I have asked them to watch me, or if they approach me in a manner that is respectful of the teachings of my teacher. If they tell me something contradictory, they better have a damn good reason for doing so.
I want to fence, I really do, but when I think of the above incident as I pack my equipment bag for fencing...I get frustrated and leave it behind.
Let's take the incident above as an example.
We were doing line drills in the small room. The leader decided to have us do a step-attack. I had never done a step attack in my life, so I asked him to demonstrate. I tried it out, and immediately, three people jumped on me, offering different ways to do it and to do other things, most of which didn't make sense to me. I was getting flustered, when the leader decided to add his opinion on them and it ended it up the partner I was practicing with decided to add his own teachings in. I got frustrated. When I learn in a class, I want one person teaching the class, not a committee. So I excused myself, got myself out of my equipment and really haven't seriously practiced since, except for some sparring with Jacomo and one or two drill work bits with Lynch.
If I am doing something, I was expect my teacher to critique me. I don't take to kindly to people offering opinions from the sidelines unless I have asked them to watch me, or if they approach me in a manner that is respectful of the teachings of my teacher. If they tell me something contradictory, they better have a damn good reason for doing so.
I want to fence, I really do, but when I think of the above incident as I pack my equipment bag for fencing...I get frustrated and leave it behind.
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