Making Fencing Tactics Work

The trend of teaching tactics for fencing is relatively new in the history of the sport. Through the 1960s most coaching focused on the proper execution of technique, and fencers were expected to learn how to apply the techniques through fencing bouts. However, in the last two decades, there has been increased emphasis on teaching how to apply tactics to the bout situation. The following thoughts may help in thinking about how to make tactics work for you.

First, know your own capabilities. Understand how your speed, accuracy, ability to use footwork to control distance, offensive skills, defensive skills, and tactical abilities compare with your opponents'.

Second, be able to assess your opponent's capabilities. This starts with history. How has the opponent fenced you in previous competitions? It is a good idea to quickly make book (take notes) on opponent performance after every bout. Then it continues with watching the opponent on the strip in other bouts. You can pick up a lot about movement skills, distance control, technical repertoire, and tactical choices while watching. Finally you should constantly assess what the opponent is doing against you on the strip--is he or she fighting a different game than in the bouts? Have they gotten faster, or are they fatigued and getting slower?

Third, understand what is happening. This is a three part problem. First you have to be able to look at the action from your perspective as a fencer and assess what just happened. This requires a certain level of honesty and the ability to take a cold, hard look at what you just did in the heat of combat. For example, the odds are that, if you attacked into the opponent's compound attack when you saw it developing, your stop hit was too late.

The second part of understanding is being able to interpret what the referee just called. Know the hand signals, and be able to read them. More than that, you need to understand how the referee categorizes the variety of possible actions into the more limited number of signals or accepted descriptions of actions.

And then is the all-important third part-being able to compare what you think happened to what the referee called. This is critical. If the referee calls a well established point in line, that deceives the attempt to beat it out of the way and lands as a hit, as a counterattack not in time, you had best not do any more points in line. If the referee calls a sabre cut that lands on the bell a beat attack, you probably cannot rely on parrying attacks. If there is a difference between what you think and what the referee thinks, you had best adjust your tactical choices to meet the referee's interpretation of reality.

With this background you are in a position to apply tactics. One approach to this is to use the OODA loop process. Originally designed as a way to think about air to air combat, this loop has been used in applying tactics in the martial arts. The capabilities and understanding you have developed up to this point and your current observations of the opponent provide Observation, the first step of the loop. The fencer then Orients to filter observations and the referee's inputs as the basis of a Decision on the correct tactical course of action. That decision is then translated into Action. Superior tacticians can use this process more rapidly than their opponents, getting inside the other fencer's decision loop and constantly forcing the opponent to react, rather than fence his or her own tactical plan.

There are many possible models for tactical decision making. This is only one possible approach. However, if you can think tactically (and do so rapidly) and your opponent does not do this well, you have a significant advantage.

How to Dress Your Child For Indoor Ice Skating

Most indoor ice skating rinks maintain a temperature between 45 and 60 degrees, depending on the temperature outside. When you are dressing your child for ice skating lessons or free skating at the ice rink, your first challenge will be warmth.

Skaters will be exercising strenuously, so it is important to dress your child in thin layers that can be removed easily as their bodies warm up. Avoid dressing your child in a bulky winter coat, as heavy coats make it difficult to move freely. A warm turtleneck under a warm, close-fitting sweater will keep your child warmer than a winter coat, and will permit free movement.

Many girls want to wear a skating dress. If you plan to have your daughter take lessons, then a simple skating dress and tights may be a good investment. However, if she is simply going to skate recreationally now and then, this might not be an investment you want to make.

Close fitting sweat pants or zipped wind pants are good choices for both boys and girls. Jeans do not have much ability to stretch, they easily absorb moisture, and they are very slow to dry, which makes them a less optimum choice for skating.

One of the most important parts of your skater's wardrobe should be a comfortable pair of thin, seamless socks. A sock with seams can rub against the foot and cause blisters. Because skate boots are designed to be tight, thick socks can squeeze the foot and reduce circulation, which will make your child's feet feel cold more quickly.

If you child will be renting ice skates, bring along a thicker pair of socks to wear over the thin pair to provide extra padding in case the rented rink skates don't fit perfectly or are well-worn.

For several reasons skaters should always wear gloves. Gloves obviously will keep a skater's hands warm. They also provide some protection in case of a fall on the ice or if another skater runs into a child who has fallen.

A warm wool hat will keep your skater's head and ears warm. Avoid any head covering that could impair your skater's vision. "Hoodies" or parka hoods should be avoided.

For the same reason, skaters should never wear scarves, which can obstruct vision or catch a skate. Many rinks prohibit any kind of scarf on the ice.

Girls should always have their hair pulled back or restrained, so that it cannot get into the eyes.

Avoid letting your skater wear jewelry. Most rinks prohibit any kind of jewelry, which can break and fall onto the ice and trip another skater.

And finally a note to parents of boys: Boys will be extremely uncomfortable if they are asked to wear white skates. If you have inherited a pair of white skates that fit your boy, either dye them black (black shoe polish will also work, but it can be messy), or cover them with black skate covers. Your son will skate much more confidently if he "fits in" with the other boys at the rink.

If your child will be taking ice skating lessons, you can observe what the other students are wearing before the first lesson and talk to the coach about appropriate clothing for lessons.