CoachGerryD Presents, Prof. Zbiniew Czajkowski, Methods & Strategy for Training Fencing Actions.
Zbiniew
Czajkowski, Psychological basis for choosing fencing actions, Methods applied in pair exercises, Methods for practicing of
technical tactical skills. Zbiniew Czajkowski Video Tutorials, Fencing lessons, Competitive training, Sport Training and Methods,
Strategy.
Zbiniew
Czajkowski, Psychological basis for choosing fencing actions, Methods applied in pair exercises, Methods for practicing of
technical tactical skills. Zbiniew Czajkowski Video Tutorials, Fencing lessons, Competitive training, Sport Training and Methods,
Strategy.
"Being able to give proper names to things is the first step toward wisdom."
Confucius
"To look is not the same
as to see, to see is not the same as to perceive. We perceive reality on a higher, conceptual functional level only what we
know, understand well and can give a name to."
Zbiniew Czajkowski, Psychological basis for choosing fencing actions, Methods
applied in pair exercises, Methods for practicing of technical tactical skills. Zbiniew Czajkowski Video Tutorials, Fencing
lessons, Competitive training, Sport Training and Methods, Strategy.
Zbiniew
Czajkowski, Psychological basis for choosing fencing actions, Methods applied in pair exercises, Methods for practicing of
technical tactical skills. Zbiniew Czajkowski Video Tutorials, Fencing lessons, Competitive training, Sport Training and Methods,
Strategy.
The psychological basis (perception and ways of choosing the actions)
of applying the actual actions in the bout lead to the division of these actions into three groups:1. Foreseen actions.2.
Unforeseen actions.3. Partly foreseen actions.Partly Foreseen Actions (actions containing both foreseen and unforeseen
parts).a. Actions (typically attacks) with a known beginning but a choice of possible endings: the so called"open‑eyes
attacks."b. Actions (mostly attacks) with a known beginning but a change of intention during the execution.*Foreseen Actions (preconceived or premeditated
actions).a. First intention actions (foreseen actions of first intention).b. Second intention
actions (foreseen actions of second intention).These terms are generally well‑known. Generally, foreseen actions
are the actions executed according to a previously chosen plan/motor program. Additional explanations are given in the discussion
of attacks.
Fencing training
methods applied to: individual lessons and practices in pair exercises.
As mentioned above, the first task is to define
the objective and then to choose the appropriate methods. I strongly emphasize this point because, judging by certain textbooks
of theory of training, one would think that methods are primary and of supreme importance.
Methods are secondary to the goals you wish to achieve. In the individual lesson and pair
exercises the following methods are used:
1.Repetition of a chosen stroke;
2.Execution, by the pupil, of a given
stroke as a response to
the coach's previously announced movement;
3.Choosing
an action from previously announced actions;
4.Choosing
an action from previously unannounced action;
5."Rivalry"
(contradictory tasks);
6.Training
bout with the master.
Note that in both types, the beginning is known and foreseen and the final part is unforeseen. The two above
mentioned varieties of partly foreseen actions superficially are very similar and yet there is a striking difference between
them. An "open‑eyes" action begins with a foreseen and planned movement (feint or action on the blade) and
proceeds by plan according to the opponent's reaction.Actions with a change of decision are conceived, initially programmed
and put into execution as preconceived actions (either first or second intention) and then, under the influence of the opponent's
unexpected movement, are changed mid‑way.
Execution of a given stroke as a response to the coach's pre‑ announced movement.
1. Repetition of a chosen stroke. The pupil executes, many times in succession, a given stroke‑ e.g.
direct thrust with fleche, cut to head with lunge, quarte binding with advance and disengagement, thrust with lunge, etc.
‑with an emphasis on accuracy of movement, appropriate rhythm, coordination of the movement of the hand and legs, and
accurate fixing of the point or cut. He practices as if the given action was a closed motor skill (this is exceptional, used
only in this method).
*
*
Choosing
an action from previously announced actions, Choosing an action from previously unannounced action.
2. Execution of a given stroke as a response to the coach's pre‑ announced movement.The essence of this method is that in the lesson the pupil performs a previously announced action in response to the
coach's foreseen and pre‑announced movement, according to the simple motor response model: known stimulus, known reaction. This
method should be applied relatively early ‑in the first, introductory, stage of training, when the pupil has already
acquired and fixed the basic structure of a given movement. The pupil is not only learning and perfecting the execution of
a fencing stroke, but also learning and perfecting its application in conditions ‑ although, relatively easy ones ‑somewhat
resembling those of a bout. In the training of fencers of all classes, and in all stages of the training process, this method
is frequently used in order to shape and perfect simple reaction and those technical‑tactical abilities which are based
on it: foreseen actions, executed in response to some predicted, foreseen movement by the opponent ‑for example, an
advance, some movement of the weapon, signs of lowering of attention, a careless shortening of distance, or an unwitting betrayal
of intention.
Psychological basis (perception and ways of choosing the actions) of applying
the actual actions: 1, Foreseen actions, 2.Unforeseen actions, 3.Partly foreseen actions
3. Choosing an action from previously announced actions.This method is frequently used with higher class fencers. It is based on a model of choice reaction or differential reaction
and ‑ much more rarely ‑ on intuitive reaction. The coach announces which of the two, three or four actions he
may execute, but he does not say which exact action (from those previously announced) he will apply at any given moment. The
pupil's task is to recognize the coach's movement and to execute, as soon as possible, the appropriately chosen counter‑action.
In other words, "the pupil knows all the answers, but he does not know which question will be asked."
*
*
Foreseen actions of second intention.
4. Choosing an action from
previously unannounced actions.This method‑in its varieties‑is
applied with higher class competitors with good technique (a large repertoire of strokes and a high level of execution) and
a high level of technical‑tactical capabilities. The essence of this method relies on the fact that the coach, playing
the role of opponent, executes various, previously unannounced actions and displacements on the piste while the pupil's task
is to perceive the actions in a fraction of a second, to recognize the movement and intention of the "opponent,"
and to choose the appropriate counter‑action and execute it. This method has many different applications and varieties,
but its essence remains the same: the pupil recognizes the "opponent's" movements and chooses the right defensive,
counter‑offensive, or offensive action.
