Marching attacks are devastating -- but they don't need to be. Part 3 of the Ides of March gives pointers for defeating the march. Zen and caffine. Neither calmness nor wild energy will beat a march, by themselves. The defender must find the right mixture.
View this sample from the Foil Actions CD-ROM available in the Fencing.Net store. In this clip, Walter analyzes the tactical situation of "doubling out" in foil. The video clip in this is 3MB.
Marching attacks are not surprise attacks, but rather constructed attacks. Since they rely on the reactions of the opponent, you'd think they were thoughtful and reactive, but they aren't — for the sake of sanity, the attacking fencer is usually running a program. This program consists of a coordinated interdependence of hand and foot movements that together protect the preparations, while forcing the opponent backwards in a defensive mode.
Most fencers, at one time or another, have been terrorized by a marching attack. These attacks are compound, so their destination target is hidden until the very end. They are also methodical, so they are difficult to break apart. The attacker scores, and issues an alpha-male/female howl. The defender is left reeling, feeling singularly inept and confused about what they should have done to stop the atrocity.
The following fitness routines are courtesy David Littel of the Liberty Fencing Alliance. David has been coaching foil fencing for the last 10 years on a volunteer basis. In his training as a coach, he has attended the U.S.F.A. coaches college several times and has studied with a number of high level coaches. He was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Fencing team.
Marching attacks are devastating -- but they don't need to be. Part 3 of the Ides of March gives pointers for defeating the march. Zen and caffine. Neither calmness nor wild energy will beat a march, by themselves. The defender must find the right mixture.
