Preparation of attack -- wide, wide arcs?

[Victor]

How do you explain to your students (usually the mid-level kids who are getting serious about competitions) the timing difference involved in attacking an opponent in prep when his actions are big ol' loopy arcs? A couple of my kiddos saw such points awarded in a recent tourney, even though it looked as though the attacker's preparation was too wide to be a constant threat as the defender tried to steal the touch. "His blade was like this," they said as describing the foil pointing perpendicular to the ceiling. (I wasn't there, so I can't say for certain.)

But anyway ... Best way to describe a legit attack prep?

[keith]

best is during individual lessons;

if I do this - big action that lets them hit you before you can bring your point back to target - attack in prep.

If for whatever reason you can bring yor point back to target yell at them for not waiting to parry riposte. Just stopping and sticking the arm out is the most common mistake, get them to understand if they close up the distance the attackers point cannot get back on target in time.

If you can work on the principle that if this was a hit in a bout who would score? - they do not really need to understand as long as you have given them the correct Pavlovian response.

[Boo Boo]

But anyway ... Best way to describe a legit attack prep?

Demonstration.... get a couple of good foilists to demonstrate a whole set of legitimate/illegitimate attacks on preparation, whilst you and the kids watch and you explain what exactly is happening...

Most people are "visual" people and will understand seeing (with some explaining to back it up) examples, rather than explaination alone.

Boo