Some Fencing Strategy

What is the object of a fencing bout? The answer is pretty obvious if you think in terms of a duel. The prime rule in a life and death situation is, hit the opponent without being hit yourself. Let's break this statement down and look at the last part of it first. How can you guarantee that you won't be hit? The only real way is to stay far enough away from your opponent that he/she can't reach you. But if you do, you can't fulfill the first part of the prime rule, that is, to hit your opponent. So, you have to compromise, be far enough to be safe while close enough to score? Fortunately, it's not for life and death any more. At this distance you can't be hit too easily, and hopefully you can trick the opponent into being too close momentarily so that you can score.
 
The second rule of fencing is, you must use a lot of strategy (be tricky and deceitful, in a good way) to score. Of course, your opponent knows this rule too, so he/she is also trying to be tricky and deceitful, in a good way. So, the third rule of fencing is, be careful because your opponent is trying to fool you too (tricky and deceitful, in a good way).
 
The strategy for scoring, is then to use well developed foot and blade movements to trick your opponent into getting too close so that you can hit him/her while most of the time you stay at a safe distance. Your opponent is trying to do the same to you so the sport is fun and challenging. You must always be aware of everything you are doing as well as everything your opponent does since it's very easy to make a mistake and be hit. You really have to try fencing to believe how much
concentration it takes and how much fun it is. While learning all the strategy stuff the new fencer also learns about the attacks and defenses of fencing. Actually, beginners start the first class knowing how to score, they just don't know how not to be scored on while trying to win. Learning to fence is an experience.
 
Watch two people fencing for a while. See if you can follow what's going on. Most of it is fairly subtle and anyone can learn it. Just take the time to have some good fun. exercise, and learn a lot. See if you can figure out which attacks are false (tricks) or real ? Do you see which fencer is sucked in too close and will get hit ? Try fencing and see how much fun it is.