Quote Originally Posted by Superscribe View Post


Most of the really good fencers I know are people who can identify what they want to do, and then set up the action so it succeeds. That's what i think, at a high level, is right. It's solid foundation. These same good fencers can change their mind and they can transition their parry attempt into a counter at the last minute etc... but that's not what they'd like to do. It's not what should be reinforced. What should be reinforced is their ability to identify what they want to do, and thens set up the action so it succeeds.

I hope i clarified my demarcations better, and also explained my statement (which you quoted) better. If i didn't, please let me know and i'll try another way. I'm getting a little wordy
Maybe I'm not following you completely here, but I think one key aspect your forgetting about is the reconnaissance and the preparation. The real question is while he manuevers does he find out how his opponent is likely to act? To react? Can he program their responses by giving them incorrect information? Giving the same signal several times then changing it on them at the moment they are ready to commit, essentially guessing that it will work as opposed to changing it when he sees what they do at the last moment?

Even if you don't get the response you are looking for during your preparation, if you go immediately and they don't you are more likely to succeed with your action than they are.