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Coaching Corner
Added on 23/09/11 at 02:09:14

Free play is a valuable form of training whatever your standard if you set yourself an appropriate target.
This target should not always be just to win at all costs but, for most fencers, evaluation of free play is usually numerical - how many hits did I make? DID I WIN?
Whilst is important to have and practise a competitive attitude, there are many other valuable criteria:
The 3 T's - Technique, Timing and Tactics, distance and your own game are more important than the score
· Did I keep control of my technique or did it fall apart
· Did I do the strokes I intended
· Did I use the tactics I intended
· Did I control the situations I set up
· Did I observe my opponent and identify his game
· Did I keep alert and use opportunities
· Was I able to take control from my opponent
· Did I recognise my opponent's errors and exploit them
· Did I recognise my own errors
· Did I know how to correct them
· Was I able to correct them
These questions are a better guide to a fencer's total improvement in game play