Australian Academy of Fencing |

Salle En Garde! FENCING ACADEMY | SCHOOL | CLUB

Maître Gary Worsfield F.A.C.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FENCING TRAINING - COMPETITION PERFORMANCE STRATEGY PLANNING

The following Article is presented as a resource in the interests of competition fencing performance. It is taken from En Garde! The serious fencers' training diary as a practical example of COMPETITION PERFORMANCE STRATEGY PLANNING, an integral part of PSYCHOLOGICAL FENCING TRAINING

PSYCHOLOGICAL FENCING TRAINING

Competition Performance Strategy Planning

Maître Gary Worsfield F.A.C

COMPETITION PERFORMANCE STRATEGY PLANNING

Off-site pre-competition planning
On-site pre-competition planning, and
Competition planning

PRE-COMPETITION STRATEGY PLANNING

A pre-competition strategy contains all the behaviors, which need to be performed prior to the commencement of the competitive performance. The central feature of the strategy is preparation for all circumstances so that the fencer’s attention control is maintained towards goal achievement.

The problem that occurs with the pre-competition period is that the fencer has to bide his time until very structured preparation for competition begins. During this period there is little that can be done to enhance performance. There is however every opportunity for events, which will detract from performance to occur. Thus, the objective within this time period is to minimize the chances of distracting events.

Fencers can learn to behave and think in ways, which will not allow anxiety to interfere with performance. A characteristic of truly superior performance is the ability to have control over activation levels. Since activation control is a characteristic of the superior athlete, this normally develops through a trail-and-error process that is commonly referred to as experience.

Some top athletes exhibit heightened levels of activation as much as two weeks before an important competition. Others may not exhibit indications until several hours before an event. Because of this individuality it stands to reason that those athletes who experience very early changes in activation will be more susceptible to detrimental factors. They simply have more time for distracting events to be influential. Consequently, the athletes who experience early activation, may have more problems than those who experience it much later. Each athlete should determine pre-competition strategies individually.

When developing pre-competition strategy the primary concern is to focus on task-relevant factors and to deny distractions. If one or more aspects of the pre-competition preparation are very difficult to control, a number of alternate coping behaviours should be planned and practiced. The main feature in this planning should be that the events are normal for the fencer, that is, they have been practiced. The fencer should be familiar and satisfied with the routine, even though it may seem strange and regimented to the uninitiated observer. It would be unrealistic to expect a fencer to perform and tolerate a strategy of self-control behaviour without having adequately practiced this before serious competition.


	COMPETITION PERFORMANCE STRATEGY PLANNING
	TYPE OF PLANNING:	OFF-SITE PRE-COMPETITION
		ON-SITE PRE-COMPETITION
		COMPETITION

COMPETITION DATES

= ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

DESIRED FEELINGS

PROBLEM & COPING RESPONSE

The day after the last training session:

During this time deprive yourself of actual fencing and replace this time with activities such as arcade/computer games, pool/billiards, racket ball/squash, or go to the movies. The physical preparation finishes at the last training session. Psychological training now predominates. Mental practice should be brief (5 minutes) but many (up to 10 times a day). Mental practice should be in the form of positive mental imagery with a heightened clarity of visualization along with a heightened neuromuscular awareness. You are now neuro-linguistically programming for success with an overall feeling of being fit, relaxed and in control, particularly with movement coordination, and in an atmosphere of positive, excited anticipation.

TEST & CHECK EQUIPMENT:

Electric weapons, body wires, lame jacket/s, mask,

All fencing gear is clean and in good working order.

If not, repair, rewire, adjust, clean and insulate/tape were necessary.

Electric Foils:

Check with multi-meter, clean tips & connections, check weight & re-tape insulation on blades.

Test box or multi-meter, safety razor blades, magnet, jewelers screwdrivers, glue (5min epoxy), spare: screws, springs, tips, barrels, etc.

Electric Epees:

Check with multi-meter and/or test box, clean tips & connections, check travel & weight springs, adjust where necessary.

Electric Sabres:

Check & clean.

Body Wires:

Check with multi-meter, emery cloth connections.

Lame Jacket/s:

Multi-meter check for dead spots. (paint and/or lame material to repair).

Mask/s

Punch test and/or visually test as applicable.

Uniform:

Wash

The day before you go to the competition:

Every moment of the competition day should be accounted for. Include: Alarm clock, hand-held computer game/s, Tape/CD player (favorite motivating music plus baroque music and/or nature sounds for clarity of visualization), Joggling balls, Hackie sack, Drinks (diluted staminade/gatorade, water and fruit juices), Snack foods (fruit rollups, musiele bars and favorite candy bars).

PACK FENCING BAG:

Weapons, body-wires, lame jacket/s, plastron, uniform, test box, glove/s, 2 pairs of socks,

PACK GYM BAG:

Change of clothes, soap/towel, water bottle, computer game/s, walkman & music,

The day before the competition:

CHECK OUT BREAKFAST AND EATING PLACES

Hotel restaurant, fast foods, etc. Note menu & opening times.

PLACE WAKE UP CALL WITH FRONT DESK OF HOTEL and, CHECK CAB/TAXI DETAILS for transportation to the venue tomorrow.

The body needs at least 2 hours to properly wake.

Set personal alarm clock as back-up for same time as “wake-up” call.

WEAPONS CHECK

Everything passes

If anything is faulty, repair it that evening.

EVENING MEAL

Carbohydrate overload. Pasta with low fat sauce.

The morning of competition:

WAKE UP:

Smile, stretch with the thought of the sun at dawn and positive expectations of a new day.

Awake, relaxed, feeling good and looking forward to the day.

If still want to sleep, turn on the light and music, and stay in bed continuing activities (smile, stretch, positive thoughts)

SHOWER:

Toilet: don’t shave–gives me a sweat rash.

Shower – soap & stretch with eyes closed aware of neuro-muscular sensations.

Dress – in uniform (without jacket) track-suit over).

Feeling good, fully awake, warm, relaxed & excited.

If any negative thoughts start to surface – positive (self-image) thinking, affirmation and mental imagery.

POSITIVE THINKING:

15 minutes alone

Positive, confident, relaxed, eager to fence.

If can’t concentrate continue with relaxation, affirmation and visualization.

GO TO BREAKFAST:

High carbohydrate breakfast: Porridge or cereal, toast, pancakes (maple syrup), fruit juice, coffee/tea.

If not served in 15 minutes, go to alternative (fast food) place.

CALL A CAB/TAXI:

Plan to arrive at the venue at least an hour before registration time.

If cab hasn’t arrived within 15 minutes of booked time. Call a cab from another company.

COMPETITION PERFORMANCE

STRATEGY PLANNING

TYPE OF PLANNING:	OFF-SITE PRE-COMPETITION
	ON-SITE PRE-COMPETITION
	COMPETITION

ACTIVITY

DESIRED FEELINGS

PROBLEM & COPING RESPONCE

WARM UP = Physically / Mentally / Kinesthetically.

Muscular relaxation – relaxed.

Mental relaxation – relaxed.

If not start relaxation / visualization techniques.

Jog around venue, shaking arms and loosening up. Vary footwork coordination and cadence.

Loose, relaxed, no stiffness, warm, mild sweating. Activate kinesthetic awareness.

STRETCHING

Perform PNF stretching. Feel the muscles tighten and then relax.

Continue until muscles are all stretched and relaxed.

MENTAL REHEARSAL OF FOOTWORK

Kinesthetic awareness; smooth, fluid, continuous, balanced, controlled, powerful, strong, and explosive.

FOOTWORK

Start slowly.

Slowly feel and explore the coordination and timing of each action; balanced, smooth and fluid.

Occasionally with eyes closed.

Reinforce and affirmation with cue words & thoughts.

Start adding combinations.

Feeling the actions remaining balanced, smooth, continuous and flowing. Continue reinforcing with affirmation.

Start increasing speed to full competitive tempo.

Feeling explosive, fluid, fast and controlled.

Changes in Distance and Tempo.

Imagine you‘re controlling the distance of the opponent. Scoring touches on your attacks and retreating out of distance on their attacks. You are totally, kinesthetically aware and in-tune with your movement.

MENTAL REHEARSAL OF WARM- UP BOUT

Loose, relaxed yet explosive. Controlling distance, timing right on, movement fluid and lightning fast. Confidence. You are totally aware of, and in-tune with, your movement.

WARM-UP BOUT

Distance awareness and attention focused on target.

Start to take control of distance

Loose, relaxed

Control, start to dominate.

Opponent pushes back:

Note possible timing and openings for attacks.

Opponent doesn’t move:

Push him/her back to the rear limit.

Make a few provoking actions and note their reaction/s and timing.

Feeling in control and dominating

Take note of opponent’s reactions – think of possible tactics.

Make a few “feint-deceive” attacks ie. compound attacks.

The feint and deception is in time to the opponent’s reactions.

Attack is parried:

Adjust to timing and distance.

Make a few simple attacks i.e. lunges and fleches.

Instantaneously touching the target, explosive feelings

Make a few prise de fer attacks i.e. take and deceive attacks.

Feeling the opponent’s blade and reactions through your blade. (sentiment de fer) Focus and attention on the target.

Attack is parried:

Adjust to timing and distance.

Parry, Ripostes

Focus on the target (not to the blade) and Distance – then parry and riposte and touch the target.

Any problems:

Adjust to distance.

Redirect attention to the target. Emphasis on TOUCH.

Make a few counter-attacks

Feel the opponent’s movement. As soon as he/she moves explode and touch the target.

Opponent land the attack:

Adjust by closing distance faster, turning or blocking.

Try some movements in relation to this opponent’s reactions and timing i.e. specific tactics.

Prepare to implement the tactic.

Feeling in control & dominating the bout, actions are instantaneous, timing is right-on.

Any problems:

Adjust to Distance.

Attention to the Target. Emphasis on the Touch.

PUT ON TRACK SUIT AND DRESS WARMLY

RELAXATION & VISUALIZATION POSITIVE IMAGERY OF BOUTING TACTICS

Feeling good, confident. Positive thoughts of controlling the bout and the successful completion of selected tactics.

DIARY

Competition Monitoring Form

ONCE EVERY 10-15 MINUTES

Walk, slight jog, shaking arms, legs and staying loose. Relaxation with mental rehearsal of competition tactics.

Loose, feeling good. Thinking of controlled and successful tactical situations.

Any problems:

Relaxation and visualization with positive imagery.

WHEN POOLS ARE CALLED

Collect fencing bag and go to an area close to the piste

DIARY:

Ä Start a personal score sheet for this pool.

Ä Check if you have fenced any of these competitors before.

Ä Note the order of bouts, who you fence and in which order.

Ä Tactical Profiles.

Ä Mentally rehearse only the first opponent.

CALLED TO THE PISTE

Pump up. Slight jogging on the spot, shaking arms, legs and loosening up.

Want to go! Loose, alert, confident and in full control.

TEST EQUIPMENT ON PISTE

Weapon doesn’t work:

Change with spare

Body wire doesn’t work:

Change with spare

Lame Jacket faulty:

1^st Check opponent’s jacket for dead spots.

2^nd Change with spare.

“ ON GUARD”

“READY?”

“FENCE”

“EN GARDE”

“PRET?”

“ALLEZ”

COMPETITION PERFORMANCE

STRATEGY PLANNING

TYPE OF PLANNING:	OFF-SITE PRE-COMPETITION
	ON-SITE PRE-COMPETITION
	COMPETITION

ACTIVITY

DESIRED FEELINGS

PROBLEM & COPING RESPONCE

THROUGHOUT the COMPETITION:

AFFIRMATION OF GOALS

Be in the NOW – not thinking of past results or future expectations but this moment.

One touch at a time. Each touch is a prepared, tactical solution to win the bout.

Over-confidence & thinking of results:

Be in the NOW.

Relax and mentally reinforce your kinesthetic awareness of the specific-specific skills and tactics.

Under-confidence & negative thoughts:

Be in the NOW.

Pump up, shake legs/arms and mentally reinforce kinesthetic awareness of specific-specific skills and tactics.

BEFORE EACH BOUT

Note Order of Bouts – prepare for each opponent, one at a time. You will see each one fence before you get to fence them yourself. Check previous Tactical Profiles. Determine possible strategies and tactics.

“ ON GUARD”

“READY?”

“FENCE”

“EN GARDE”

“PRET?”

“ALLEZ”

Hone in on Distance. Feel the opponent’s Movement and Timing while taking control of mobility. Observe and analyse. Determine strategy and tactics. Mentally rehearse your chosen tactic/s and wait for the right moment to implement. If there are any inhibitors affecting your game plan, incorporate your mental coping strategies.

TAKE CONTROL OF DISTANCE

Pressure opponent in distance and apply a variety of blade stimuli (feints, beats, takings, lines, etc.)

If opponent pushes back:

Note timing & reactions and possible attacks.

If opponent keeps distance:

Push back to rear limit. Apply a variety of stimuli (feints, beats, etc.) and note reactions, timing and possible tactics.

ATTACKS

Establish the right moment

Feel the Distance: feel when the opponent is about to start moving forward (central focus of attention).

Feel the Timing: at the moment the opponent is about to start moving their blade (peripheral vision / awareness.)

Establish PRIORITY:

FEINT

Focus on target.

Thought - touch the target.

Point threatens target. Relax, provoke, timing with the deception / response, touch!

BEAT

Focus on target.

Thought - touch the target.

Relax, beat, timing, touch!

PRESSURE

Focus on target.

Thought - touch the target.

Relax, feel the opponent’s blade & their reaction, timing, touch!

TAKE

Focus on target.

Thought - touch the target.

Relax, feel the opponent’s blade & their reaction, timing, touch!

Opponent parries the blade:

Early parry: Reduce the exaggeration of the feint (or beat, pressure, taking), and speed up the deception.

Late parry or parrying yourself:

Maintain focus on target throughout the entire attack.

Have confidence, let peripheral vision handle the timing of the deception.

Opponent Stop-hits and/or Counter-attacks:

If you have gone defensive and attempted to parry:

Maintain focus on the target throughout the entire attack and mentally rehearse the successful completion of the attack.

Opponent ducks or turns:

If your attack has gone passe:

Relax, focus on target and mentally rehearse successful completion of the attack.

DEFENCE

Maintain Distance

Feel the distance, the magnetic flux of 2 like-ends of magnets.

Opponent scores:

OPPONENT ATTACKS

Distance, then parry.

Stay focused on target.

Control when / timing of parry.

Desire to touch / riposte.

Before your parry:

You’ve parried too late.

Reaffirm both distance and timing. Ensure point, blade & hand move together on the parry NOT hand reacting first. Stay focused.

After you parry, by deception:

You’ve parried too soon.

Reaffirm both distance and timing. Parry the last moment of the attack NOT the feint. Relax & stay focused.

COUNTER ATTACKS

Maintain slightly longer distance.

Ensure your opponent has to use an advance / preparation with his / her attack.

WHEN OPPONENT ATTACKS

To moment the preparation starts TOUCH the target

Opponent scores:

Faster closing distance.

Close distance & Turn.

Close distance and Block.

AFTER EACH BOUT

DIARY, hydrate & prepare for next bout.

Pool Sheet - score

Bout Monitoring Form

Tactical Profile on Opponent

Visualize and mentally rehearse your next bout.

Controlled relaxation & positive mental rehearsal focused on your kinesthetic awareness of the sport-specific skills.

AFTER EACH POOL and

BETWEEN EACH ROUND

Hydrate, Snack and Complete Relaxation

Relaxation music, hand-held computer games, joggling, hackie sack, reading, etc.

Can’t relax:

Relaxation exercises with visualization and mental imagery.

AFTER THE COMPETITION

DIARY

Competition monitoring form & evaluation of personal performance.

WARM DOWN - STRETCHING

Perform PNF stretching. Feel the muscles tighten and then relax.

Continue until muscles are all stretched and relaxed.

HIT THE SHOWERS

Continue stretching in the shower.

Date Last Modified: 11 Oct 2011

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