Sabre Target - The myth about "above the waist"

Sabre Target - The myth about "above the waist"

Post by Randell Jesu » Sat, 09 Mar 1996 04:00:00



Quote:
>It is very common to hear that the target for sabre is "everything above
>the waist."  This is not 100% correct.  The target (Rule 410) is ""the
>entire body above a horizontal line drawn between the top of the folds
>formed by the thighs and the trunk of the fencer when in the "on gurad"
>position.""

>This means that part of the target is actually below the waist.  (Most
>sabre fencers have seen illegal lame jackets that only go down to the
>waist -- or even above the waist.) The myth of how far down the lame
>jacket must go allows for continued use of lame jackets that are too
>small.

        Or too large.

        Unless _everyone_ gets custom-made lames to-measure, the target
area will be incorrect at the hips (including in foil), unless one happens
to be exactly the "normal" proportions for someone of that lame size.

        Now, for many people to difference from correct is relatively
small (say < 1-2").  For me, it'd be gigantic (I'm a mutant: 6'2" with a 29"
inseam). At what point (or level of competition) does it become illegal
"enough" to be taken note of?  Custom-made lames = $$$$, and extra time.

--
Randell Jesup, Scala US R&D, Ex-Commodore-Amiga Engineer class of '94

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Sabre Target - The myth about "above the waist"

Post by Randell Jesu » Tue, 12 Mar 1996 04:00:00


Quote:
>> : This means that part of the target is actually below the waist.  (Most
>> : sabre fencers have seen illegal lame jackets that only go down to the
>> : waist -- or even above the waist.) The myth of how far down the lame
>> : jacket must go allows for continued use of lame jackets that are too
>> : small.
>It is almost impossible to purchase a sabre or foil lame that is "without
>a doubt legal" unless one purchases one that is sure to be too large.  
>(We rarely have complaints about an opponent's lame for being too large.
><g>)
...
>correctly fit a fencer.  This, obviously, costs money so most fencers
>will accept a lame that is slightly over size.  

        I assume from your comments then that there is _no_ leeway on the
rule; the sabre lame _must_ be too large unless you're extraordinarily lucky
when buying (and it fits _exactly_) or get a custom-made lame.

        I need to have one made custom anyways, so it doesn't bother me too
much.  I saw one person at the Divisional last weekend whose lame was so high
above the hips and waist that it looked pretty silly.  If I'd been competing
(I was sick, just watching and did some directing for the consolation pool)
I might have protested it.  Probably at least 3" short, maybe 4".  Like I said,
it looked pretty silly.  Of course, if I bought a regular lame it would
probably be 4+" short on me (the back and arms of a 6'8" person with the legs
of a 5'5" person - net result, 6'2").

        Speaking of lames, any comments on lame material?  What about some
of the new materials used by TCA (non-metallic lames, stretch(?))?  Anyone
using them?  For sabre?  Any comments on cheap sabre lames?  God, is this
electric sabre stuff expensive.

--
Randell Jesup, Scala US R&D, Ex-Commodore-Amiga Engineer class of '94

#include <std/disclaimer>
Exon food: <offensive words censored by order of the Senate>