Ideomotoric Fencing Bouts

Ideomotor training is a common feature of the preparation of athletes. In fencing, the Tauberbischofsheim fencing lesson makes extensive use of ideomotor principles with the use of visualization as a preliminary phase of the fencing lesson. Wojciechowski briefly mentions the use of ideomotoric fencing bouts as a training tool in his excellent book Theory, Methods and Exercises in Fencing. This article expands on the use of ideomotoric bouts.The essence of ideomotor training lies in the use of imagination and visualization of the fencer performing fencing techniques and tactics. Ideomotor training has a proven record of success in other sports, especially in rehabilitation after injuries when the athlete is unable to perform at a full physical level. The genius of the Tauberbischofsheim approach lies in the use of such visualization as a regular component of preparation before the lesson to raise the fencer’s performance level.There is general agreement that such visualization based approaches require that the athlete practice the skill involved mentally. However, mental performance of only the skill does not reach the full potential of this training method. The athlete must enrich the practice by recalling the mental tactical process involved, the subtle cues that trigger the action, any sensations normally recognized, and even the feel of the strip, the commands of the referee… in short all of the actual conditions of actual combat. The richer the mental environment, the more effective the training.The ideomotoric bout takes this form of training one step further. The fencer fences a complete bout against an opponent; the opponent may be imaginary, a composite of various opponents, or one individual the fencer faced before in competition. There are a number of variables to this type of exercise:(1) On the simplest level the fencer should use all of the techniques that he or she knows in the bout. In a more complex version, the fencer applies a standard tactical system to choose the techniques that will be most effective against the imaginary opponent. This requires the fencer to set the tactical level of the visualized opponent. If the first simple attack succeeds, does the fencer shift to a compound attack for an opponent who would immediately be prepared to parry and riposte, or does the fencer continue with simple actions because the opponent will take several actions to figure out the problem?(2) In some circumstances, this bout should be fenced completely by imagination. Here the fencer must visualize all parts of the bout including his or her own sensations of movement. However, if practice space is available, the fencer can imagine only the opponent’s actions, using actual footwork and blade actions exactly as they would be used in a real bout. This approach combines imagination of the opponent with physical work by the fencer.(3) The bout can be completely personal to the fencer, or a referee and a strip coach can be added. The referee can make calls for and against the fencer based on the technical quality of the attack and defense, adding a complication to the decision process. The strip coach can send in plays between halt and fence and can discuss the bout on the 1 minute break. This provides training for both the fencer and the strip coach.At its most pure the ideomotoric bout gives the fencer the ability to fence a bout anywhere at any time. Other versions require practice space and equipment and thereby lose some of their convenience as they come closer to a normal practice bout. However, all of these approaches increase repetitions, add variety to training, and make fencers think more deeply about their fencing.