Over the past five years, I have read many references to tactics in fencing. As someone interested in the continuum of how we fight from the individual movement to the entirety of the fencing career, I have found the definition of tactics in the sport to be both illusive and unsatisfyingly vague.
Czajkowski (Understanding Fencing: The Unity of Theory and Practice, 2005, p. 66) provides what may be the clearest definition: "using all fencing actions, both preparatory and ultimate ones, in such a way as to avoid being hit, score hits against one's opponent and thus ensure victory." He further simplifies this definition to "applying technique in a bout." In this same vein, Thompson ("Turning Techniques into Tactics," 2007, p.4) defines tactics as the "application of techniques to immediate situations." Bruce, Etchells, Hill, and Vincent (Teaching and Coaching Tactics, 2005, p. 3) add an important caveat when they define tactics as "the correct application of the actions available to a fencer in order to win or achieve the best possible result." This acknowledges that it may be important for a fencer to achieve as much as possible, even when losing.
Szabo (Fencing and the Master, 1977, p. 244) takes a broader view of tactics as "the sum total of ideas realized by fair means employed in the interest of success, and formulated through the sober, objective and rational evaluation of the fencing resources of the opponent, the varying circumstances of the combat and other influencing factors." Szabo's definition goes beyond technique to incorporate the opponent and acknowledge that the bout and other factors have a role to play.
Barth and Beck (The Complete Guide to Fencing, 2005, p. 67) offer a different set of definitions when they address strategy and tactics. Strategy is defined as:
"Strategy is the fencer's plan for his actions and his behavior, with which he preplans and determines actions with regard to his conduct while competing, and individual combative actions, under the consideration of the rules of competition, personal strengths and weaknesses, the strengths, weaknesses and possible behavior patterns of the opponent or opponents, and the conditions anticipated at the competition. In connection with a strategy, the individual combative action is referred to as a strategic element."
They go on to define tactic as "everything that in practical language is often referred to as 'preparation.'" Tactics are required in difficult situations when intermediate steps are needed to achieve the goal, and include reconnaissance actions to gain information about the opponent, give the opponent false information, or to create favorable conditions for the execution of actions which end in results.
Barth and Beck's definition of strategy is interesting and broad in scope, contributing the concept of preplanning before the competition. However, and this may be a translation difficulty, tactics are relegated to preparation for the attack.
This survey of definitions for tactics and the very limited mention of strategy suggests that fencing lacks an integrated view of strategy and tactics and actions. This series of articles will attempt to provide one.
About this Author
Walter Green is a Maitre d'Armes (Fencing Master) certified by the Academie d'Armes Internationale. He teaches modern competitive and classical fencing, historical swordplay, bayonet fencing, and Asian martial arts swords at Salle Green ( http://www.sallegreen.com ), the fencing school he operates in Glen Allen, Virginia. Maitre Green also trains fencing coaches through the Pan American Fencing Academy ( http://panamfencing.com ).
Copyright 2010 by Walter G. Green III. All rights reserved.
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