Recently, LS Georgia captain James Wallace won multiple medals at the Smokey Mountain Showdown, hosted by LS LaFollette in Tennessee. He kindly answered a few questions for us on fencing in Lightspeed, how this discipline interacts with epee fencing, and some of his other pursuits.
1. The gold medal match at the Smokey Mountain Showdown was between yourself and teammate Jake Wachtel. Is it easier or harder to fence someone you already know so well?
A little of both, but leaning toward slightly easier (not saying the bout was easy though, it was the hardest bout I’ve fenced in a while!). Easier, because I know the things he likes to do. Harder, because he can say the same about me. I always find it slightly harder to fence people I don’t know, since I have to dedicate a bit of the bout to poking at their game, and I’m an impatient fencer.
2. Your match with Jake was a point-rollercoaster. Did you do anything specific to keep the edge?
For this bout specifically, I had to tell myself to slow down and set the touch up. As I mentioned above, I’m impatient, and Jake is patient. He wants to fence on his side of the ring, he wants me to attack. So I really had to focus on not rushing in and forcing an action that might not really be there. When I was up in score, I had to force myself to wait. When I was down, I really had to make sure each action was intentional, nothing could go to waste since Jake is so fast. As for specific actions that were working, I think I found the most success in half steps, false steps, and feints to draw out the attack. If the attack was a sweep, I could generally follow up with my own attack or defensive.
3. How does your training in epee influence your fencing in Lightspeed? Is there anything valuable you think Lightspeed fencers would get from this kind of cross-training?
The biggest influence has got to be footwork and distance, with the second biggest being “sneaky” fencing. For cross training, I 100% believe that the best way to win in Lightspeed (and fencing in general), is via good footwork. You can have the fanciest, prettiest bladework in the world, but if you can’t move, you’re going to lose. Every LS fencer can benefit from practicing epee footwork and distance drills. Find a partner to do distance drills with, try to trick them into getting closer or further away. Being able to manipulate distance is key.
4. Has Lightspeed fencing changed anything in the way you approach epee?
Good question! Maybe a little bit, hard to change 18 years of epee training and habits. For those not in the know, you can only score with the point in epee, so it’s the opposite of Lightspeed. I think Lightspeed has helped a bit with getting my flicks back to the point they were 5 or so years ago.
5. What would you say to traditional fencers curious about Lightspeed Saber? (And do you know what they say about you?)
We’ve gotten a decent amount of our epee fencers from Dunwoody Fencing Club into our LS classes. I tell them that LS is fun and quick to pick up if you have a fencing background (HEMA too!). Low barrier to entry in terms of equipment is also a big plus we always mention.
6. What would you say is your signature or favorite touch in Lightspeed Saber? Epee?
It’s kind of changing for Lightspeed right now, so I’m not 100% sure, but the first thing that came to mind would be the side hook to the hand. It’s just such a fun action to pull off, offensively or defensively. Adding in sneaky footwork makes it even better. For epee my favorite touch is the feint-disengage, preferably to short target.
7. As a certified fencing instructor, you would have been a welcome and valuable addition in any light-based fencing system. Why did you choose Lightspeed?
Thank you :) I, and the other coaches at DFC, chose Lightspeed because of the low barrier to entry. At first we just needed gloves and sabers. I also personally am a big fan of the asymmetric scoring system. I think it’s a very unique way to award points (even if I don’t like indirects to the hilt).
8. As a coach and team captain in multiple disciplines, do you go easy or don’t go easy on your own students/members? Why or why not? Intentional or unintentional?
I do not go easy on students during normal bouts. I may decide to only work on a certain action during a bout, for instance, only going for the arm in epee. I never want my students to think “Oh, I only got that touch because he’s going easy on me”.
9. What are you doing when you’re not fencing?
In the real world, I’m a software developer for a healthcare company. When I’m not doing that or fencing, I’m a huge movie fan, horror is my favorite genre. I’m also a nerd’s nerd, I paint Warhammer 40k miniatures, play MTG, D&D, etc.
10. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, James. Please close us out with your favorite quote.
Thanks for reaching out! I’m not sure I can pick a single favorite, but here’s a good one that stuck with me recently: “Don’t get afraid, get angry” - Terry Pratchett, Hogfather