A Simple Error

Fencing today, I was helping to preside a group of younger fencers, which included some beginners. One fencer had been fencing for at least three months, while the other fencer had been fencing one month. We'll call then 3m and 1m. Watching them, I could see that 3m was performing fairly basic technique. 1m was doing likewise, however, it was slightly better. At the end of the match, fencer 1m had won, and 3m was confused why. I think I have the answer.

No criticism is intended for any beginner fencers reading, and I hope I do not offend anyone. Beginner fencers are split into two groups. For an example, let us say that 3m and 1m are watching a coach give a lesson on the beat attack. Fencer 3m will take the technique, and shape it into his own style. He will still beat the blade, but his point will then fly off here and there until he finally succeeds in hitting or wounding his opponent. With the point his, he assumes that he hit because his technique was good, and that he is doing the attack right. He will not attempt to change it, using the most hated sentence in the fencer's vocabulary: Well it worked didn't it?

Fencer 1m however, will try to copy what the teacher does. He will not view the technique, but how it should be applied. Unfortunately, these fencers are often scorned or failed attacks. Fencer 1m should just keep trying until it is a perfect technique. He should realise that he is doing something wrong, but instead of not using it because it isn't working, he should continue to try it; find out why it isn't working, correct himself.

The simple error for beginners is to use their own style initially. Fencers starting the sport should try and follow their teachers, and this includes everything. They need to assume a proper stance, so that they will be able to have a centre of balance, and they need to learn how to adopt, adapt and improve in every technique. To quote from Nick Evangelista:

'Without this, you will always be a poker, never a fencer'