Your Fencing Mantra

[Remise-o-matic]

I am currently preparing an article for American Fencing magazine, and am requesting input from interested fencers, both U.S. and international.

As a longtime competive fencer, and as a coach, I have a number of maxims that I like to share with my students. When I am on the strip and have a good day, it is because I repeat these eight words to myself: "Stay low. Small steps. Fence at the tape." By the last, I mean that, as a foil fencer, I never want to be closer to my opponent then where the tape on my blade crosses his, as otherwise, if he is good, I won't have time to react to his attacks.

What is your fencing mantra? In other words, what do you say to yourself, either before or when you are on the piste, to help you to win?

If you could share this with me, either via LinkedIn, or email me at Remise@aol.com, and are willing to have your words and your name appear in American Fencing. I hope to hear from you.

If you do send me something, please give me your name, your location, and -- if you wish, as this is not a requirement -- your best result if you would like to share it. But even if you are an unranked fencer who has never won a medal, you may still have wise words to say that others will heed.

Thanks very much, and good luck this season!

[Inquartata]

"Dammit!"

[Remise-o-matic]

"Dammit!"

Thanks.
A chacun son gout, but I am hoping for somewhat more useful responses than that. But if that is what keeps you focused, good for you!

B.C. Milligan

[D'Art]

"Bribe the ref, and beat the opponent. Try not to get the two mixed up."

[Inquartata]

Thanks.
A chacun son gout, but I am hoping for somewhat more useful responses than that. But if that is what keeps you focused, good for you!

B.C. Milligan

Actually I don't have anything like what you describe. But I wanted to participate anyway.

( Well, occasionally I scold my legs for not retreating when they should. )

[Mac A. Bee]

One touch at a time.

[Mutter Fechter]

"I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And gosh darnit, people like me!"

[Purple Fencer]

Fence well...don't suck.

[jkormann]

"Be sure to hit your opponent first. More than 1/20th of a second before them is best."

[pillow]

I am currently preparing an article for American Fencing magazine, and am requesting input from interested fencers, both U.S. and international.

As a longtime competive fencer, and as a coach, I have a number of maxims that I like to share with my students. When I am on the strip and have a good day, it is because I repeat these eight words to myself: "Stay low. Small steps. Fence at the tape." By the last, I mean that, as a foil fencer, I never want to be closer to my opponent then where the tape on my blade crosses his, as otherwise, if he is good, I won't have time to react to his attacks.

What is your fencing mantra? In other words, what do you say to yourself, either before or when you are on the piste, to help you to win?

If you could share this with me, either via LinkedIn, or email me at Remise@aol.com, and are willing to have your words and your name appear in American Fencing. I hope to hear from you.

If you do send me something, please give me your name, your location, and -- if you wish, as this is not a requirement -- your best result if you would like to share it. But even if you are an unranked fencer who has never won a medal, you may still have wise words to say that others will heed.

Thanks very much, and good luck this season!

I'm really surprised at you. You are a member of f.net since 2004, and you actually expect to get useful answers to your question here? Please quit while you're ahead. Just make up anything you want and it will be fine for that esteemed journal---AF.

[Grasshopper]

Thanks.
A chacun son gout

Am I the only person who had to google this?

[piste off]

"Why the heck am I doing this? I could move to Montana and make $150K per year."

[ladyofshalott99]

For me these days, it's more about mental focus, clarity, blocking out emotion. I've become quite a bit more reserved/introvered in the last couple of years. That comes through, but depending on who I'm fencing, I may end up over-correcting if there's a negative association.

As for literary references, here are a couple that I like. It's more the idea that counts than the literal interpretation:

"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.^{"
--Bene Gesserit 'Litany Against Fear', Frank Herbert's Dune}

"I do not aim with my hand;
he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I aim with my eye.

"I do not shoot with my hand;
he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I shoot with my mind.

"I do not kill with my gun;
he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I kill with my heart."
--The Gunslinger's Lesson, Stephen King's Dark Tower series, Vol. 3-7

[CDRMark]

Am I the only person who had to google this?

Yes
Yes you are.
Cheers
Mark

[the ancient one]

Cūsanā nahīṁ hai

चूसना नहीं है

[Bwanadude]

I'm getting to old for this!!

[Peach]

Mostly, I just say "Breathe." (I tend to forget to do it)
Also, "I'm here to win. Winning is more fun than losing."

[Peach]

I'm really surprised at you. You are a member of f.net since 2004, and you actually expect to get useful answers to your question here? Please quit while you're ahead. Just make up anything you want and it will be fine for that esteemed journal---AF.

Nope, Bruce asked people to e-mail him. I doubt if he's going to pay much attention to what people say here

[fencerX]

What is your fencing mantra? In other words, what do you say to yourself, either before or when you are on the piste, to help you to win?

Yippee-ki-yay motherfencer.

[K O'N]

All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you.