Author’s Note: Do not let this article distract you from the fact that the Atlanta Falcons blew a 25-point lead in Super Bowl LI.
In the 2022 Bern World Cup, Israeli Fencer Grigori Beskin fenced Ukraine’s Yan Sych in the Tableau of 64. Beskin amassed a 14-8 lead by masterfully disrupting the preparation of Sych, and following Sych in every effort to break distance with stifling pressure around the guard, controlling the blade on each feint attempt from Sych, and working his short targets like a sniper.
As the lead mounted, Beskin grew increasingly lethal as his opponent was forced to chase. The disruption of prep continued, and as Sych followed him, Beskin began turning to well-timed provoking flicks in preparation to draw Sych out and set up a second intention parry riposte.
Beskin had a 14-8 lead with 2:30 remaining in the 3rd, a lead that would result in a victory for the leading Epee fencer in almost any scenario. “Not today,” said Sych.
Beskin’s tactics pivoted from “Plan A,” which were working extremely well to that point. He opened the distance more, whereas before it was kept tight. Sych began using this newly opened distance to begin safely working the short targets of Beskin, picking off the wrist with gusto and throwing in three toe touches. He was able to approach with patience, no longer being suffocated by the pressure of Beskin.
Attempts to disrupt Sych were more idle, and rather than act proactively in the preparation, Beskin seemed far more passive and waiting for responsive actions. Sych would wind up winning the bout 15-14.
Yet, because the Epee Gods are cruel, vindictive, and revel in the predictable inconsistency of the weapon, just one round later in the Tableau of 32, the tables turned on Sych to a far more lethal degree.
Yan Sych found himself against the Backflick King Max Heinzer, this time amassing a 13-8 lead with 19 seconds remaining. Like Beskin in the round before him, Sych begins to simply pull, wait and allow Heinzer to take initiative on every one of these attacks. Only one time does Sych actually attack here with the lead and he allows Heinzer to control the bout instead. Big mistake. In fact, Sych is so hyper-focused on the clock and praying it gets to 0 that he goes off the back of the strip with 3 seconds remaining. For the record, I’ve only recorded a fencer going off the back of the strip on about 4-5 touches analyzed.
These are two bouts worth watching, because they illustrate the fundamental difference between “Fencing Not to Lose” and “Fencing to Win.”
“Fencing not to lose” refers to a defensive and cautious approach, where the primary goal is to avoid making mistakes and maintain the status quo. This mindset often leads to overly conservative strategies, minimal risk-taking, placing the onus almost solely on the opponent to attack, and a focus on merely surviving the bout.
In contrast, “fencing to win” is an assertive and proactive approach, aiming to dominate the opponent and secure victory. This involves taking calculated risks, continuing to disrupt preparation to prevent the opponent from finding comfort, being aggressive (yet smart) in attacks, and actively seeking opportunities to score points.
“Fencing to win” is almost always the better approach, because it places the destiny of the bout in the hands of the leading fencer, leaving lesser chance of comebacks, and factoring in variables like time as a latent, secondary focus as opposed to a primary one.
Tactics for Fencing to Win When You Have the Lead
Pull the Opponent- Forcing the opponent to apply the pressure on you when you have the lead is going to have the highest success. When you have the motion of your opponent stepping forward, it opens the door for attack in prep, and the timing is a little simpler.
Disrupt the Ever-Loving Hell out of the Preparation/Counter Prep- Simply allowing your opponent to push you without threatening them back is going to result in easy touches for them. As they push, look for options to “prep on the prep” and threaten with feints, half steps as manipulative threats, provocations around the guard, and active defense so your opponent gets uncomfortable as they try to recoup a lead.
Look for Attack in Prep. Don’t Just Wait- From my research, I’ve found that Attack in Prep has a 36.1% success rate regardless of lead. With the lead, that success % goes up to 44.6% (with a thank you to Nick Johnson for the visualization):
With your attack in prep, look for that window that opens when they enter your distance, when they begin to search for your blade, or when they overcommit in preparation.
The window for attack in prep is best illustrated by “Anonymous Eurasian,” author of Guide to Olympic Epee Fencing. With the author’s permission, I have republished his humorous visual on finding the right moment to attack.
Tactics for Fencing “Not to Lose” When you Have the Lead
- You’re Only Focused on the Clock. The time remaining in a bout is of course an important variable to keep track of, and developing an internal clock that can sense the passage of time in a bout is important too. But if you’re only focused on killing the clock, you’ll stop focusing on the opponent. Check the clock in between touches and make a mental note, but focus on the fencing first.
- You Only Want to Wait and Respond. The current Epee meta favors being proactive on the attack. If you simply pull, wait, and let your opponent control the touch, you’re going to have a bad time. If you’re just throwing your arm out there for counter attacks, you’re opening the window for your opponent to take your blade and go.
- You Pivot From “Plan A” When “Plan A” is Working.” There is no such thing as a comfortable lead in Epee. If you are winning a bout with a particular set of tactics and pivot to a more passive and responsive game when you’ve amassed a lead, your opponent is going to throw their axe through your opening door.
Don’t be the Fencer who gets comfortable with a lead and begins fencing not to lose. Fence to win and know the bout is over only when you sign the scoresheet.
Works Cited:
Eurasian, Anonymous. Guide to Olympic Epee Fencing. 18 Nov. 2022, a.co/d/0a8Zreo.
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