Fencing seen through a “Neurological lens”

I was in Basle/Switzerland this week, enjoying an incredible time at the European Fencing Championship🤺, meeting old friends, mentors, and legends!

When watching fencing at an elite level, it becomes obvious that the distinction between very good and excellent is often minimal.

So, why do some fencers ride the edge successfully while others fail and then lose? I'd say, there are many correct answers, depending on your perspective.

Approaches like ActionTypes® and Z-Health® look at perception and movement from a neuro-centric perspective, making important observations traditional sports coaching mostly overlooks, and offering simple but powerful solutions at the same time.

Why is that relevant for every athlete? Because the brain and the nervous system drive the body 24/7. It is the governing system within us and is always involved in everything we do, think, say, or feel, the whole time, whether we want to or not! So deliberately targeting the nervous system for perception and movement refinement will automatically funnel efforts more efficiently.

By watching Europe's best fencers through a so-called “neurological lens”, I came across many possible entry points, to enhance a fencer's skills. Here I will share a few that might seem surprising at first:

▶️ Breath control: When a fencer loses control of their breath during a bout, and possibly even starts panting, it will take up so much of their attention, that they lose precision in movement and timing, and often mental composure as well. This will show by fencing more reactively than proactively or "the point not hitting", especially during the last third of a bout, between hits #10 to #15. 

Note: Breathing rhythms are not directly connected to the heart rate! Breathing under load is a competence and can be developed.

▶️ Visual Signature - Every athlete has a...

1️⃣ Natural Visual Preference. This is a specific quadrant within the visual field where threatening/ "relevant" movements coming at a fencer are (subconsciously) identified with more accuracy. As a consequence they can choose more appropriate reactions (parries, dodging counters, etc.), raising their chance of marking the point. Have you ever noticed being struck more from a higher or lower angle, or more from the left or right side?

2️⃣ Current level of Visual Competence. Vision is our prime sensor for information gathering, which we base our decision-making and actions on. It can be broken down into aspects like eye movements (i.e. tracking, saccadic, converging, and diverging), and visual processing/ interpretation in the brain. It is hard to make the best situational choices if your eyes cannot accurately follow what your opponent is up to. Seeing what's going on but making the wrong choices, equally. The good news is, both are competencies and can be developed. Eyes have many muscles that should be trained directly with motor control drills, to deliver precise information to your brain. Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant incoming information is a key to efficiency for any martial art, and can also be practiced in an isolated way. Have you ever had a detailed assessment of your visual competence? How accurate do you think it is?

Note: Knowing your visual preference is a key to success; recognizing your opponents' is like a passe-partout... ;)

▶️ Attention Span: from a neurological standpoint there are 5 different types of “attention”. Saber fencers need to predominantly practice shorter attention periods at a higher intensity than épée fencers, to be ready when required. Have you ever felt caught out on the “wrong foot”, not ready to react suitably? Or you hit your opponent "au bon moment", and it felt sensational?

▶️ Introverts and Extroverts: Introverts and extroverts have entirely different preferences when it comes to being coached during a match. Introverts will generally seek a solution by themselves, from within their experience, skills, and mindset. Extroverts, on the other hand, will happily gather input from a competent, trustworthy outside source like their coach. But what if the athlete's and the coach's preferences are contrary? For example, the extrovert fencer is struggling with their opponent's tactics, potentially losing, and the introvert coach just “trusts you know what you need to do”, instead of verbalizing any advice... the fencer's desperation will probably grow exponentially. On the opposite, the extrovert coach doesn’t stop giving verbal advice to the introvert fencer, interfering with their concentration. I've seen both, and it can be disheartening. Knowing your natural preferences is not only reassuring but can make the coaching during a bout substantially more effective.

Note: Introversion vs. Extroversion is only one differentiation of intrinsic human preferences. There are many more that are remarkable for fencers.

I could extend this list with more bullet points that seem surprising when viewed from within the traditional way of fencing coaching. Investing efforts smartly into any one of the points mentioned could already make the difference an athlete needs to reach the next level. By combining discipline-specific training with the knowledge derived from neuroscientific evidence, fencers can lay a broader and more substantial foundation. While experiencing and learning how their brain and nervous system drive or block their body, they can discover the most suitable tools for their personal development as athletes. I love the jaw-dropping moment when a martial artist experiences and suddenly understands which counterintuitive behavior has caused them some losses in the past.

A brain’s primary function is to keep its owner alive, not to make their sports performance magnificent. Athletic preparation is more profound when it includes making the key bodily systems work well and pushing the boundaries of resilience at the same time. Breathing well, seeing well, balancing well, moving well, and integrating well are all essential competencies for high-level athletes.

🎯 It's time for a paradigm shift: every fencer is unique and at a higher level, needs individualized preparation. Do your or your athlete's career a favor and experience now what will be part of any amateur sports training in 10 years.

Thank you for reading. Please, leave a comment or get in touch to learn more about neuro-centric movement refinement.

Vincent Laplaze ActionTypes® Z-Health Performance Solutions

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