A fencer’s victory strategy
Fencing is a game requiring the body and the mind to work as a single unit. The reflexes must respond with lightning speed, only then can one get execution worth points on the board. There is no such thing as a timid fencer. A confident, fearless fencer
can hope to reach the pinnacle of success similar to the British fencer Alfred Hutton, American Charles Selberg and Peter Westbrook.
The basic of all game strategies in fencing is the fencer’s standing posture. The sword hand lifted up a bit, sword pointed straight towards the opponent’s helmet and the fist to be bent outwards. For a right-handed fencer, the front foot straight towards
the opponent and the back foot placed at a 90 degree angle, causing both heels to touch each other. The knees should be bent such that your balance is firm but not stiff, enough for one to move forwards and backwards.
The second most important aspect for a fencer is his or her footwork. The forward and backward movement is crucial for one to be quick, especially with bent knees. The accurate lunge, which involves extending the back leg and leaning forward with the sword
up facing the opponent, must be such that one’s body is safe behind the sword and requires practice.
The next step in learning fencing strategy is mastering the eight positions of the sword called prime, seconde, tierce, quarte, quinte, sixte, septime and octave. These basic positions allow a sword fighter to determine how to riposte (defend) the attacks
and where and how to attack and counter-attack.
Students of fencing must learn to blend timing and speed with strategy. A successful sword fighter needs to plan out his strategy and make use of his training against the opponent. The strengths once realised, shall be rooted in the game plan for winning
a point over the opponent. Attacking skill and strategy are not the only tricks that are available to a fencer. Great fencers have rock solid defence and strategies that they utilise during the bout.
A good defence allows a sword fighter to counter attack accurately and create points. Defence and counter attacks require patience and the study of an opponent’s moves. Strategies may involve baiting an opponent to attack so that they leave areas of their
body unprotected. This approach forces opponents to commit mistakes that cost them a point.
Another very important factor is the distance between the two fencers in a bout (round). An aggressive fencer should always confuse his opponent by feint attacks and loud and quick foot work. This causes the opposing fencer to be cornered on the danger line
of the strip, making it hard for them to escape the attack. Distance is a double edged sword though. If you are too far away from your opponent then you cannot strike and score points. If you are too close then you risk getting hit by your opponent. A balance
needs to be achieved that complements your strategy.
In case of foil and sabre, the strategy best fitting is to be the attacker and not the defender. The reason behind this is the right-of-way rule which favours attacking. The rule states that if a hit is countered, the attacker’s hit shall be the valid point,
regardless of who struck first. In epee, the fencer must follow his instincts because a mix of attack and defence are required.
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