Mental Game

[esquila]

I probably haven't been fencing as long as most of you, but I've quickly recognized the mental aspects of fencing, and how tremendous an impact they've had on performance any given day. (my performance anyway) Do any of you have particular ways of controlling your "mental game" while fencing? How do you control anger, or when there are a lot of things on your mind?

Has anyone else had any particular observations on this topic?

[RiseAndFall]

A coach at a camp I attended placed a lot of importance on mental training. We did some visualization and relaxation techniques while we were there, and I found they helped a lot. It seems like some coaches don't really care for it whereas some find it crucial. As for controlling anger, etc... that wasn't really covered, but moreso things like following along with lessons (visualization) and a concentration/relaxation session every day (like the one here on fencing.net).

[Taomagicdragon]

I've seen the signs of anger during a bout, the moves are more rough, static, and lock the flow and control. One fencer I knew, after asking him why he insisted on trying to flick when it turned into a broadside-whip every time, told me when he gets mad he doesn't care and wants to cause the other fencer as much pain as possible.
How to get over the anger, keeping in mind that you fence for fun, that the sport gives you joy. I'm happiest while fencing. I can work out frustration during practice, and see friends and make new friends.
During the bout, you need to be calm and receptive, everyoen has there own way of teaching it, I was taught breathing excercises as well as muscle contractions. Before a bout, if I'm on the strip and hooked up waiting for the other fencer to come, I'll take a mometn and reflect, relax, meditate in effect, and I get up feeling ready to go. That also helps if I'm angry about something.
All in all, look up calming techniques like aforementioned excercises. Be well and have a great day!

[Bryn Ralph]

Peter Westbrook, Olympic medallist in fencing, has some intersting things to say about anger management. And Aldo Nadi in his "On Fencing" speaks to the issue of anger and the damage that ensues on or off the piste.

[rocky]

But, there's also nothing wrong with being a bit angry. Controlled anger can be very useful, it's much worse to come out onto the strip so mentally-calm that you end up not caring and not with that special desire to win.

[Taomagicdragon]

I agree, having a bit of fire in your belly, so to speak, is a great thing to have. So long as it's in control and is productive.

[esquila]

Usually when I'm angry it is controlled. Usually. I've had some of my best bouts by consolidating emotion into focus. It's just that there are some times, especially lately, when emotion turns into a sort of annoyance.

Often I find one of the people I fence just has a lot going on in her head, and she loses her sense of perception and timing.

It helps too though that I've been a martial artist for the past 8 years, and I find a lot of my focus stems from that. But there are still days when I'm just off. You know, everyone has them, those days when you just can't "get in the zone"

[Jareth]

If you haven't read the book "Gamesmenship" then you should. If it doesn't apply fencing in your mind so be it. Most of the things don't apply but some of the strategys do.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

What mental game?

[mrbiggs]

I've found that how well I do in a tournament depends almost entirely on how much I think about fencing beforehand. If I spend the day and night before thinking about it, I can count on a solid tournament. If I just go and fence, I'll do badly.

Also, I have to mentally prepare for different weapons differently. If I fence foil and epee one immediately after the other, and I don't have time to mentally prepare for epee, I will do badly in the pool.

[Andromeda]

I have only been fencing for coming up on three years. But I have also realized there is an entire mental aspect to fencing. I have noticed when I fence my best is when I just fence, I don't consciously think about all of the moves I am doing, I let my training and my reactions take over. If my body sees and opening, then I take it. Unfortunatly this does lead to a slight problem, half the time I don't remember where I hit my opponent, or what I did to get there.... Something I plan on working on in the future.

[Go? Fencing?]

Originally Posted by Taomagicdragon

I've seen the signs of anger during a bout, the moves are more rough, static, and lock the flow and control. One fencer I knew, after asking him why he insisted on trying to flick when it turned into a broadside-whip every time, told me when he gets mad he doesn't care and wants to cause the other fencer as much pain as possible.

Hmm, sounds like a guy I fenced once... (and was glad it was only once!) Splendid bruises to show off, though.

[Li'l Bebe]

Mental game for me is HUGE. But how people deal with the emotions and crap before, during, and after fencing vary wildly. I'm assuming you're a girl (your avatar,) so it's really good to use your emotions. Harnessing your anger and passion can be invaluable to your intensity and aggression, because 98% of girl fencers aren't aggressive enough. Just be sure you're controlling your emotions, and they're not controlling you. However, if it doesn't help you, don't sweat it. I know a guy who takes a mini-nap before he gets on the strip, and then he transforms from a sleeping teen into practically a fencing demi-god. Just try something new each time you fence, and see what happens. I also advise writing down all of your mental practice, so you can track what you've tried.

Visualization and strategizing can also be incredibly effective. I made myself a visualization tape, and I listen to it every time I go to fence. It creates a routine, and really helps me get in "the zone." When you find something that works, stick with it, because routines help you get in the zone better.

P.S.listening to music before you go can help too.

[parrythis]

I have found that the mental aspect may be as much as 50% of the game. To help focus my attitude, I have developed a handful of "mantras" - short 2-3 word phrases that represent my goal and mentally link to how I will achieve that goal. For example, when I step onto the piste, I repeat to myself several times, "flow like water". This is reminding me to relax and move smoothly. The phrase is mentally linked to a whole bunch of things that I know and do, but you can't take time to review the whole lot of them before starting to fence, so the "mantra" evokes the training.

Also, check out Cage the Bear as it has some great tips on how to manage anger and anxiety. If you click on the links to the left of that page, you'll find some other interesting fencing articles.

[Black Jeebus]

Oddly enough I have the problem of forcing my body to catch up with my mind. I did other martial arts for years before fencing, and at my very first tournament I caught myself aware of what was happening but unable to generate the proper physical response. It was really strange to see a situation and know what needed to happen but be unable to actually affect it.

On the issue of anger we had a fencer who had terrible anger control issues, and in the middle of bouts most of my side-strip advice consisted of "calm down, relax, have fun." There were times when he managed to divest himself from his emotions and he was just such a better fencer.

EDIT: Also we share space with a guy that teaches Karate, so if I get too upset I can always just beat the **** out of his punching bag. I do my best spin kicks when angry!

[nyacfencing]

During a bout, and especially when losing, a fencer needs to quickly and effectively evaluate both his/her competitor's tactics and every lost touch to determine what happened and how they are going to stop doing, overcome, or change whatever it is that put them in a losing situation. The problem with anger is that angry people completely lose the ability to analyze anything effectively.

What always occurs is that they let the anger take over, and instead of changing strategies they do the same losing action over, and over, and over, falsely believing that letting the anger drive them to do that action harder or faster that it will somehow work. Since they are continuously repeating a losing action, they end up losing faster and faster, further fueling their anger. It is a viscous cycle, and one that almost never results in a victory.

[cfaustus]

Originally Posted by Taomagicdragon

One fencer I knew, after asking him why he insisted on trying to flick when it turned into a broadside-whip every time, told me when he gets mad he doesn't care and wants to cause the other fencer as much pain as possible.

Very very scary. At least in epee you can bring people like this back to their senses with a nice jolt right to the mask. That usually calms them down a tad... but not always... One thing such 'hot heads' are good for... they really make you work your defense.

[SmokeyTheCat263]

Originally Posted by rocky

But, there's also nothing wrong with being a bit angry. Controlled anger can be very useful,

Originally Posted by Li'l Bebe

Harnessing your anger and passion can be invaluable to your intensity and aggression,

Harnessing Anger? Those who are truly angry on the strip don't give a flying penguin about harnessing or controlling it. Furthermore, even if anger gives you a burst of agression, it is only a short term solution for how you should fence all the time.

IMHO, A more complex mental game consists of being emotionless and professional. Your mind should be clear, able to make rational objective decisions without letting your passions get in the way.

Using anger to your advantage is an easy way out for people who don't have the time or patience to build a real mental game that can be used in any situation.

Originally Posted by Li'l Bebe

because 98% of girl fencers aren't aggressive enough.

Where and what are you fencing in? Y10s or Veterans 60s?

[Mr Epee]

Smokes,

Most people are not very good at communicating about their mental states.

What you describe as the emotionless/professional approach, is easily misidentified, on the street, as apathetic/indifference... Obviously, people shouldn't be apathetic on strip.

While I understand exactly what you are talking about, the average person won't.

You need to have a cool head with an elevated excitement level. For the uninitiated, that elevated excitement level is often associated with Anger. It takes time to develop the combination.

Re: Female aggression

Beb's figure of 98% is a little random. I don't think she was trying to be scientific... but what she said is generally true. The percentage of girls who could benefit from a more aggressive approach to fencing is probably much lower at the FC than across the board.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I agree about the emotionless aspect. Though, its difficult to keep a balance between ice and adrenaline, one of them often has to give way.

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheCat263

Harnessing Anger? Those who are truly angry on the strip don't give a flying penguin about harnessing or controlling it. Furthermore, even if anger gives you a burst of agression, it is only a short term solution for how you should fence all the time.

IMHO, A more complex mental game consists of being emotionless and professional. Your mind should be clear, able to make rational objective decisions without letting your passions get in the way.

Using anger to your advantage is an easy way out for people who don't have the time or patience to build a real mental game that can be used in any situation.



Where and what are you fencing in? Y10s or Veterans 60s?