Winning the phrase

[The Bayer Hunter]

OK, here is a huge tip that helped my fencing immensly:

When people fence foil, they have a tendency to worry more about hitting their opponent than they do about winning the phrase. What I mean by winning the phrase is taking priority and following through with a in time attack. I believe this should be the main goal in practice. If you miss or are parried, it gives you some feedback as to hand position and timing to be corrected. But the point is "If you would have landed the touch, it would have been your point because you had established priority". Once you get used to this way of thinking, trying to win the phrase instead of winning the point, your form will improve immensly and eventually, the points will come. I invite everyone who reads this to try it out. I think you will find that in the long run "winning the phrase" will pay off.

And by the way, "Pay it Forward". Just kidding, that was a joke.

[mango fever]

i know what you meant.

[Shadow Fencer]

I can appreciate what you are saying as the thinking part of my fencing brain is starting to "wake up" to this idea. Foil is a convention weapon and one needs to use the convention! I've noticed my thinking went out the window in the past few tournaments as I've attempted on sheer physical power to go for touches and my opponents see right through me! When the going gets tough for me I must thinker harder not move faster!

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I live to fence and fence to live!!

[arcon]

[ 10-23-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[aussie]

Hi all,

i completely agree, if you start an attack be prepared to go through with it, irespective of the point of the other fencer. This will lose the fear of getting hit and build the confidence needed to attack under pressure and not be put off by aggresive fencers. There is many times i have scored hits with lunges the first second of a bout before they have moved of the line, straight in the middle of the chest. The best way to put someone completely off there game. especially if they constantly attack into your attack.

through the bout stick to your guns and attack as if you see the point going through them, in time of course, once they see you are not easily distracted they will back off as they will allways get hit. This is the confidence needed in your ability to attack, attacks must not be all the time and fast and direct but a complete mixture as not to allow the opponent to get a feel for your fencing time. The other important aspect is your distance dont bother parrying until about half an inch of your chest, and then its asimple riposte.

hope this helps