improve your fencing

My students regularly ask me how they can become better fencers. My answer is always the same, and it is applicable to competitive amateur fencers, recreational fencers, and classical fencers:

First, train in group lessons. The group lesson format focuses on exercises to provide the necessary repetitions to improve any individual skill. You have to do thousands of repetitions to develop fluid execution under pressure, and the group lesson is the most efficient way to do it. Any fencer of any level can benefit from group lessons, even at the beginner level.

Second, take individual lessons. Time in the fencing master’s breastplate has long been the gold standard for teaching new techniques, correcting errors in technique, and developing tactical skills to apply in combat. Individual lessons teach new skills and refine old ones, prepare for competition by reviewing and honing skills and speed, and return the fencer to the training program after a competition break.

Third, practice on your own. Each fencer can hang a ball and practice hitting the target from stationary, forward, lunge, and advanced lunge to develop accuracy. Each fencer can do a set amount of footwork every day. Every fencer can fence ideomotor matches (fencing an imaginary opponent). Each fencer can practice vision to improve his skills. Every fencer can develop psychological skills to maximize performance. The key is to do it on a regular schedule and according to a training plan prepared by the trainer.

Fourth, develop fitness. Fencing fitness is a combination of physical strength, core stability, speed, flexibility, and endurance. Much of what has gone into conditioning athletes over the years has been extensively reviewed by sports science research. Find a coach (your coach should be able to do this, but many fencing coaches have no sports science background) who knows modern training methods and combines physical training with your other training programs.

Fifth, go. You become a better fencer by fencing. Ideally, you should be fencing marksmen who are slightly better than you. But if you are the best in your club or room, use tips with weaker fencers to practice perfect execution under specific tactical conditions. And fence them all: each opponent poses different challenges. A reasonable monthly goal for a serious competitive fencer is 200 bouts.

Individual and group classes are governed by the schedule of your room or club. You should practice some item skills daily on your own. Your fitness plan developed by your coach should call for work at the appropriate level for that part of the season. And you should fence whenever you can.

A balanced program made up of these five areas is key to developing as a successful fencer. The way the mixture is put together depends on your level of experience and the stage of your training. For example, beginners need fewer, if any, one-on-one lessons: they need to learn to adapt to a wide variety of skills and abilities, and the best way to do that is to work with as many different opponents as possible. In the period between the end of the last season and the start of the new season, it may be necessary to place more emphasis on fitness development than on technical perfection. A competent coach can design a periodized training program to incorporate the best combination for each fencer.

The bottom line remains: Ultimately, you are responsible for your development. So plan your training to address all five elements. And then go train.