Sacrifices

I am in a bit of a problematic stage at the moment. After viewing the techniques of fencers who compete at a national level, I think I have managed to see why they succeed. Some of them are good at attacking on the preperation, while others are good at feint attacks. However, most of them attack simply. The most complicated move I saw at a recent competition was a beat attack. The attacks work, I think, because of the speed and ferocity which they execute. The ferocity in particular, is startling to a fencer like me. It is essentially extend the arm, parry, extend, parry, parry, lunge, all in a matter of two seconds. The problem is this: To achieve victory against these fencers, I may have to match their techniques, become fast and aggressive. Conversely, I do not think I want to. I believe that you do not need speed to beat an opponent; I prefer to use cunning and technique to beat an opponent. I think I lack aggressiveness, though. I don't like to chase a beginner fencer down the piste, it seems to lack honour in some way. Also, if I try to be speedy and agressive, I find that my technique becomes bad, and my lunges aren't powerful or fully formed. I noticed that at the competition, that speedy and agressive fencers are the same; lunges are done with bent knees and with rolled over feet.

This may seem a bit old-fashioned, but I want to retain my technique. I have been taught that good technique is something good. However, I want to do well in competitions, and to do this, I need speed and agressiveness. So, do I stay a technical fencer, ordo I become a fast and furious one? I will think about it...