Relating the unfamiliar to something that is familiar is a powerful way to change the way you see it.
Sometimes it’s really helpful for us to stop what we’re doing and think about things in a totally different way. Looking at fencing from a different angle, one that’s outside of our usual box, can make training better and success closer. This is especially true when we’re talking about something that’s new to us, like the way that fencing competition is new for novice fencers and their parents.
It’s important that fencers compete because it helps the fencing to improve dramatically. There is no amount of training you can do in your fencing club with your classmates and your coach that will give you the kind of boost in your skill and your confidence that competing in fencing will give you. That’s all well and good to say, but showing is better than telling.
I’ve had more than a few discussions with parents about this, trying to explain why their children will become better fencers through competition. It’s very difficult to explain to someone why competition is so essential! Recently I found a great analogy of how to explain to parents how their child becomes more experienced and even why they become more experienced.
