How to Reset Between Fencing Touches: A Beginner’s Guide

You concede a touch, replay it in your head, and barely notice that the next exchange is about to begin. Then you rush to make up for the point. A single mistake has started influencing decisions that have nothing to do with it.

A short reset routine gives your attention somewhere useful to go. It does not promise calm feelings or an immediate comeback. Its purpose is simpler: acknowledge what happened, choose one useful cue, and return your attention to the fencing in front of you. Here is a practical routine to try with your coach during club practice.

Keep the routine small enough to use

Start with three words: notice, release, choose. Notice one fact about the exchange. Release the urge to solve everything immediately. Choose one action or observation for the next exchange.

This is an optional learning tool, not an official competition procedure or a reason to delay fencing. Practice fitting it into the normal flow of your session and follow the referee’s directions in competition. You do not need a fixed number of seconds, a special gesture, or a perfectly clear mind before you can continue.

USA Fencing’s American Development Model core values emphasize development and personal improvement over immediate results. That supports the general approach here: give yourself something you can work on, even when the score is disappointing. The specific routine below is a practical suggestion, not a USA Fencing protocol.

Notice one fact without writing a verdict

“My attack fell short” describes an event. “I am terrible at attacking” turns an event into a judgment about your ability. Use the first kind of statement. It is easier to discuss with a coach and leaves room for a useful adjustment.

Stay honest about what you actually saw. If an exchange happened too quickly to understand, “I did not see the opening” is enough. You do not have to invent an explanation. A confident but incorrect diagnosis can send you into the next exchange trying to fix the wrong thing.

One observation is plenty. Between touches is rarely the best moment to analyze your feet, hand, blade, opponent, and entire tactical plan at once. Save the longer discussion for an appropriate break or for after the bout.

Release the last exchange without forcing a mood change

Try one comfortable exhale and a quiet cue such as “next action.” Keep it natural. The point is to mark a transition in attention, not to perform an elaborate breathing exercise.

You may still feel annoyed. That does not mean the routine failed. You can feel frustrated while also noticing your opponent and following your plan. Expecting yourself to become completely relaxed after every mistake creates another test you can feel you are failing.

Avoid adding a physical ritual that disrupts your readiness or your equipment. There is no need to remove your mask, loosen protective clothing, or handle your weapon differently to make the routine meaningful. A brief internal cue is enough.

Choose one cue with a clear job

“Fence better” gives you no specific direction. “Watch how they respond to my preparation” gives your attention a task. Your coach can help choose a cue that fits your weapon, current skill level, and the situation you are learning to recognize.

Useful cues can focus on an observation, a familiar technical detail, or a tactical intention. Keep the wording short and positive. “Balanced recovery” is easier to carry into an exchange than a running list of everything you should avoid doing.

Do not automatically change your plan after every touch. Sometimes the intended action was sensible but poorly executed; sometimes your opponent made a good choice; sometimes you need more information. A reset helps you return to a decision deliberately. It does not require you to invent a new strategy each time.

Practice when the stakes are low

Introduce the routine during a normal coached session. Tell your coach which cue you are trying so they can distinguish a useful intention from an unnecessary distraction. Keep the usual protective equipment and club procedures for any partner fencing.

Try using the routine after both scoring and conceding touches. That makes it a consistent transition rather than something you associate only with mistakes. After scoring, the same routine can help you avoid assuming the next exchange will unfold in exactly the same way.

At the end of the practice bout, ask one question: did the cue help me return attention to my opponent? If you spent the whole exchange reciting the routine, simplify it. You might need only the word “observe” until the habit feels familiar.

Judge the routine by attention, not the next point

You can reset well and still concede the next touch. Your opponent has choices, skill, and a plan too. Evaluating the routine only by the immediate score makes it difficult to tell whether your attention actually improved.

Look instead for small signs: you remembered your cue, noticed something specific, or avoided rushing just to erase the previous mistake. Discuss those observations with your coach before deciding whether the routine needs changing.

No new equipment is required. At your next practice, bring one short cue and the willingness to test it. The useful habit is returning to the present exchange, again and again, while giving yourself room to learn.