Being Aggressive when Fencing

[FenceToTheT]

Before I started fencing, I didn't know that you had to be really aggresive when you fence. It was different for me when I was training and when I competed because I started getting intimidated when I faced my opponents. That made it hard for me because I hesitated a lot.

I'm sure being aggressive when fencing goes for all fencing weapons but I wanted to know if anyone was ever intimidated and hesitated during bouts just like me?

[MyrddinsPrecint]

I think there's a big difference between agressive and assertive.

There are lots of epeeists who prefer to win bouts primarily by going backwards, and then win bouts. It might not be the easiest way to win bouts for someone else, but it does work. ..... you do usually need to be agressive in sabre.

But in all weapons at all times, you do need to be assertive. Meaning-- it's fine if you're waiting for your opponent to make a mistake, it fine to be going backwards, etc--- but you need to confidently take action when the time is right. You don't really get around that....

[Zasha]

I'm sure being aggressive when fencing goes for all fencing weapons but I wanted to know if anyone was ever intimidated and hesitated during bouts just like me?

well, i don't think being aggressive is really an issue. intimidation is going to be your issue. i can honestly say (from college experience) that you don't have to be training longer than someone else or with a coach with a heavier accent than someone else, to beat them.
i got over the beginner jitters by fencing a lot of really good people. just made myself buckle down and do it. it helped me considerably in the long run because i'm used to facing very qualified fencers. so when they subbed me in against upenn (i go to a div 3 school, and am a dirt U in usfa), i just treated it like another bout. the women's team won two bouts against upenn. one of them was mine.
you may want to back up and think about why you're scared. what's the worst that could happen, you lose? odds are, you've already done that. so just keep practicing, and try to relax. and if you see someone during practice that you don't want to fence, don't avoid them. go right up to them and offer a bout.