• Training Methodology – how you go about it, and the mind set.
• Competitive training requirements – what level you want to be at, differing commitments at different levels.
• Overview of physical fitness, footwork, blade work, tactics, and strategy and how they relate to being on the strip and getting the job done.

The Competitive Pyramid:
Goal Setting
by Chuck Alexander

Purpose:

The purpose of this document is to help fencers develop competitive goals and to provide the understanding, the motivation and to accept the responsibility of self discipline in achieving their goals. The Epee workshop was an introduction and a simple overview to local area fencers of the broader competitive landscape. Providing them with a base knowledge of what it takes to be a competitive athlete at at any level, local, national or even international.

In todays hectic world we tend to overextend ourselves and over commit. Rather than assume that a fencer is committed, and understands that commitment to himself, his coach and his family, I believe that making the fencer aware of what it really means to achieve their goal is imperative. A serious competitive fencer must commit to goals, must commit his time, effort, sweat and understand that good enough is not good enough. There is only one winner per event, and getting the gold is why they train. For many fencers this is their first sport, and although these concepts are consistent with most sports, this is the first opportunity for them to learn about what it takes to be a winner.