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BD:

My own feeling about fencing is that distance and timing are permently linked, and you can't teach one without the other. Given that consideration, I agree that if I had to teach one thing, distance/timing (tempo, in my language) would be the primary skill.

But, remember, this skill is permently linked to the others. You can't manipulate distance without a mechanism, and that mechanism is footwork. Technical failures in footwork and bladework always impact distance and timing. All these skills have to be brought along together.

If I have to make a choice with a student when I'm teaching in what to emphasize, then, yes, control and manipulation of timeing/distance is what I start with. I'm willing to sacrifice SOME blade action/technical skills to teach a concept, first.

Allen:
I was sitting around thinking about if there was one thing I could teach by beginning classes what would it be? As many times as I though about this the answer comes up the same; I'd teach them how to control distance.Tempo would be next but distance, how to keep it , steal, and use it would be my primary focus. What's you opinion on this?