At 8 touches, now what?

[Phoenix]

Last year, I was in a DE bout (sabre) and after the ref told be that after I get 8 touches, I have to change my tatics to win. I should change my mind set and make sure every action counts. I have been fencing competitively for a while, but I still don't really have a game plan when it comes to the piste. Can anyone give me any advice on how I can change my mindset and what are some good actions that you have used during the end of a bout? I do a lot of the advance-jump back- parry- riposte but I really want to try new things and not be stuck with the same action. And advance more instead of jumping back.

[ViewtifulMisho]

There's never any formula to winning a bout. It would be impossible for me to tell you "how to change your tactics" since it depends on what your tactics were in the first place and how your opponent reacted to them. That's at least 2 variables right there, and there a few more.

If you are looking for general advice:

Start over. Pretend the score is 0-0 and you have to begin the bout again, strong, sharp, assertive, and very focused. It's very important to actually make yourself believe that instead of just thinking it.

[noodle]

indeed. you can't know whats going to happen. if you can, congrats because you've won the bout.

if i were you i'd keep doing what it is you're doing to score the touches, since you're obviously winning. but be prepared to change. know what you need to do if they start catching on. take that break time to plan ahead.

[scrapinpeg]

Sounds to me like the advice was meant to be something like "don't get predictable" but came out ironically formulaic.

[Alain]

There's no magic formula for winning matches. If only, though...

Anyway, I'd suggest a couple of things. First off, try to have an idea of your oppenent before you meet them on the piste. If you get the opportunity, watch him or her fence - see how they score most of their hits, and how their opponent hits them.

Aside from that, when you're fencing you should generally have some sort of general plan. Adapt your style to how your opponent fences, but try to dictate the match by still fencing your own game, playing to your strengths and their weaknesses.

Tactically, there's a saying that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So, if something you're doing is working well, keep on scoring points that way until your opponent works it out. Then, you can always do it again but be ready for their new response - as long as you use your head, you can always stay one step in front of your opponent, mostly scoring hits with good ol' second intention.

Hope this makes sense, and helps

[drippingwet]

You may have already seen it, but there is some good stuff in strategy, reconnaissance and disguising.

[Welted 24/7]

Eh...no offense, but why aren't you already fencing like every action counts?

[Mr Epee]

This is exactly the sort of thing that drives me absolutely bonkers...

What the sam hell was the referee doing giving advice to a fencer?

[drippingwet]

Actually I think maybe that might be an important psychological element of fencing. How often does it happen that you take relative risks in the early part of the bout, but if it starts evening out and, if, eventually it does even out at 13-13/14-14, and you start feeling big pressure, and you certainly aren't taking risks? When you are behind, the general advice might be "just one hit at a time." But why not one hit at a time pretty much from the start? What have you got to lose by playing safe? Maybe there is something to lose... dunno, that's why I'm asking.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

What the sam hell was the referee doing giving advice to a fencer?

No, this was after I won the bout. He goes to my club a few times and was just helping me out because I was leading and then the other fencer started gaining on me. So he was telling me to change my thought pattern during the end.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Welted 24/7

Eh...no offense, but why aren't you already fencing like every action counts?

I do. I was just asking advice on how people change their mission to getting a lot of touches, to then winning the bout.

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Last year, I was in a DE bout (sabre) and after the ref told be that after I get 8 touches, I have to change my tatics to win. I should change my mind set and make sure every action counts. I have been fencing competitively for a while, but I still don't really have a game plan when it comes to the piste. Can anyone give me any advice on how I can change my mindset and what are some good actions that you have used during the end of a bout? I do a lot of the advance-jump back- parry- riposte but I really want to try new things and not be stuck with the same action. And advance more instead of jumping back.

That's not something I would do if the score was 8-0...personally, I change my tactics when I need to, and never otherwise.