A Change of Rhythm

As regular readers of this blog will know (if I have any regular readers) I am currently exploring the wonderful world of epee and things are going pretty well. I feel that I am slowly improving but one thing has been bugging me lately; I have been very slow in getting into a fight. Every time I step onto the epee piste I am usually down about 4-1 within the first couple of minutes, predominantly because I have this mental pre-condition that epee is more cautious and tactical. This sort of scoreline is recoverable within a 15 point match but is virtually terminal in a 5 point one. I decided that where possible I would always determine to get the first five points in a match.
So last night I had pre-determined that I was coming out of the blocks faster and was going to use some more 'foil' tactics, such as lungeing and fleching etc. I lined up against my usual training partner and let loose with some suitably aggressive moves. I soon found myself 6-2 up which suggested I had planned something and executed it correctly. This gave me a great sense of satisfaction and my opponent quite a surprise! At one point I was leading by quite a margin but eventually succumbed 15-12 after a good fight back from my nemesis. Unfortunately my circular movements kept hitting his guard giving him ample opportunity to stop hit to my wrist, something else to add to the list of things to work on. However, this was the best I have done against him so far so I was pretty pleased all things considered.
In my next fight I made the mistake of letting my opponent set his own rhythm and agenda and I lost this one 10-5 (I think) in apretty one sided bout, but I adjusted in the re-match and upped my own work-rate again which left him quite flat footed and struggling to regain momentum and I took this match 10-4 reasonably easily.
It is vital to be able to change your rhythm and to use it as an asset in a fight. Musashi's writings are full of references to rhythms of the martial arts and changing these rhythms to confound your opponent and gain victory. It is a fundamental part of your fencing and one you should consider well. It is also worth bearing in mind in life, as it is quite often easy to get bogged down in the same old ways of doing things. Occasionally you need a break and a spell of something different; this is one of the reasons I decided to give epee a go but there are many other ways to avoid stagnation!

The gift of insight

Last night I was pretty tired so wasn't expecting to achieve much at the club apart from staying awake. Instead I received the gift of a number of insights from various people, which just goes to prove that if you pay attention and keep alert you can always get pleasantly surprised. Here's what I learnt and to whom thanks are due...
From Tony
The fact that I need to angulate my blade more and attack with more pressure at epee. Also, the gift of me only losing to him by 15-11, my best result yet
From Jamie
The fact that the foot is a completely valid target in epee and I shouldn't forget it. But that I can also leave it there as bait. Also, complimenting my best hit of the evening, an attack with coule down his blade done on the lunge. (Apparently quite rare in epee at Norfolk Fencing Club). In addition, giving me a hint as to how I can exploit my foil parries more effectively. I may have lost 15-5 but it was worth it.
From Abi
The fact that it's still fun to get challenged and that I am obviously worth fighting. I will have my revenge next time!
From Chris and Alex
The fact that a good discussion about fencing always turns up good ideas for future fights, lessons and blog posts!
At the end of the evening I hadn't won a fight but I'd scored some good hits and learnt quite a bit in the process. That's what I call a result.

Best foot forward

When the president calls "play" do you step forward? Backward? Do you know? The way you start a fight can determine your strategy. By giving ground straight away you may be giving the initiative to your opponent, or possibly luring him into a trap. By moving forward you could be taking the initiative, or blindly walking into a trap. You might also be expressing your personality i.e. defensive or aggressive, or proactive as opposed to reactive.
It may seem a minor thing to be worrying about but there's an old maxim that says "The fight is won whilst the sword is in the scabbard".