Learning to Think and Get Smart

[KD5MDK]

Probably because that's not going to do your opponent much good unless she's standing behind them. In which case, expect lots of yellow cards.

[garyhayenga]

Originally Posted by Delta

The fog problem during competition is also a problem. I rarely remember bouts/the final score....I'm definitely not the most lucid fencer.

That's what the fencing diary is for. Keep it in your bag, and after every bout immediately write down the score, what you got hit on (and why if you can tell), and what you hit them with.

Video can help you figure out what you're actually doing and what you should be doing instead. This is assuming you don't have a coach watching you fence. Get someone to tape you.

[journalmom]

Originally Posted by garyhayenga

That's what the fencing diary is for. Keep it in your bag, and after every bout immediately write down the score, what you got hit on (and why if you can tell), and what you hit them with.

Craig has the Fencing Journal for sale. Check it out.

[Delta]

headcut - My overthinking usually comes from when I fence a much better fencer than myself. At that point, each of us has already assessed the situation, and after each touche, I think, " I think this will work, OR this would OR maybe this." I end up picking one off the en-guarde line and then, " OH NOES! the opponent TWITCHED! I must change my original idea." Hence, the not committing to the original or even adapted idea. this is less of a problem when fencing competitively, because I then only fence women. I'm trying to better utilize my height to my advantage, but I will still be slower than most of my peers currently at club, their speed and brilliance only compounds my mistakes.

counterattack- thanks, what you wrote helped shape what I'm about to add.
Most of the fencers I fence are either around my level or very, very competitive. A trend I've noticed is that when fencing my better peers, they often think I'm doing something totally different than my original intent. It's a very different level of thinking, and I suppose part of the trouble is not only trying to work with my brain, but use it against someone else who fences on a totally different level. It's like giving a puppy a lamborghini.

D'art - I put -.4 as my length of experience because I think those numbers are misleading, and often lead people to make judgements about whatever it is they do without really knowing the actual fencer. As for Olympic videos, I'm still trying to understand the evolution of each bout, putting myself in each fencer's shoes....tough thing to do, and the fuzzy videos don't help either.

Craig - I have been trying to work with Coach, or, should I say Coach has been trying to work with me? Thanks for the advice, will definitely look into it.

bigdawg - oddly enough, when I came home from club, a family member was watching Becoming Jane....with your you know who.

[Meteoric Iron]

I was discussing this with a ref recently (he fences all three weapons) who has a form of dyslexia, so that the visual information has to be consciously processed to turn left into right, clockwise into counterclockwise, coming towards into going away from, and second intention actions have to be reversed in time sequence in order to understand what needs to be done. I have no idea how he can do it. As was said earlier, it would seem that a DE would give him more time to hone in on what he could try against opposing actions.

[headcut]

Originally Posted by Delta

headcut - My overthinking usually comes from when I fence a much better fencer than myself. At that point, each of us has already assessed the situation, and after each touche, I think, " I think this will work, OR this would OR maybe this." I end up picking one off the en-guarde line and then, " OH NOES! the opponent TWITCHED! I must change my original idea." Hence, the not committing to the original or even adapted idea. this is less of a problem when fencing competitively, because I then only fence women. I'm trying to better utilize my height to my advantage, but I will still be slower than most of my peers currently at club, their speed and brilliance only compounds my mistakes.

Sounds like you're second-guessing yourself. That's a hard way to fence. When you decide something might work and then "OH NOES! the opponent TWITCHED! I must change my original idea.", it seems that you abandon it like it won't work at all during the entire bout. Sometimes if I see a weakness in an opponent, it could take the entire bout to set it up and use it. Be patient, be flexible with your game plan. One "idea" does not make a game plan.

If you get the chance (in competition), try to observe your opponent when they are fencing someone else. How do they set someone up? What are their "bread and butter" moves? Is there anything you can take advantage of? Are they feigning a weakness? This is the best time to evaluate a new opponent.

By all means, if you have a height advantage, use it! and don't let your opponent take it away by setting you up. Make your opponent work as hard as possible to close the distance for EVERY series when they attack. If you know that you are slower than your opponent, you will need to control the distance as much as possible and BE patient. Even good fencers get sloppy and make mistakes (they just make less). If your footwork is not as good to control a better opponent, that's a good place to start. Also, a good coach would be invaluable here. I'm leaving a lot out that a coach can more easily explain and be directed for the level that you fence at. Sounds like some lessons in strategy would be helpful.

[tchwojko]

Originally Posted by headcut

By all means, if you have a height advantage, use it!

And "height advantage" is not necessarily "taller". I remember having an easy time with a 7'+ fencer by getting inside his reach. He'd have to contort himself to touch me, while I was quite comfortable.

Just about every advantage can be turned into a disadvantage with well chosen tactics and strategy.