One Small Step.....

I was teaching someone about attacks preceded by a step feint during the week and spent some time laboring the point around how important it is to take a small step on the approach as the arm is extending. A lot of people make the error of taking a big step whilst extending the arm in order to provoke the parry from the opponent. This is actually incorrect as what tends to happen is that you are then to close to successfully disengage around the parry itself. It is very important to allow the extension of the arm to deceive the opponent and not the depth of your step. Your momentum should be controlled and balanced otherwise you risk throwing yourself onto your opponents stop hit or parry riposte. One small step for a fencer, a giant leap for successful attacks!

This post is dedicated to the crew of Apollo 11 on the 40th anniversary of their achievement.