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Step 1
Make an inventory of your fencing skills divided into motion, offense and defense. Put movements and attacks that you are very comfortable with into this inventory. Then, plan out four or five combinations that result in successful attacks.
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Step 2
Recognize your opponent's fencing patterns to develop a strategy specific to each match. Pay attention to how your opponent uses footwork and if he seems to be baiting you with false attacks. Also notice the rhythm of his fencing to see if and when he needs to slow down the fencing, thereby giving you an opportunity to attack.
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Step 3
Seed your attacks by making predictions based on your opponent's fencing patterns. Think four or five tempos (or fencing moves) down the line so that you can launch an attack that your opponent is likely to respond to with a weak defense. Work in small, quick foot shuffles that seem like an attack but leave you ready to deliver the blade attack when your opponent doesn't expect it.
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Step 4
Put avoidance to work by not doing the things that aren't working. Although this is not an advanced strategy, it is effective at developing or reworking your fencing strategy on the fly, especially when dealing with an advanced opponent.
