When I moved across the country to attend The Ohio State University and train with Vladimir Nazlymov (6-time Olympic Medalist), I thought we would spend my first few months on tactics and complicated drills. However, I was in for a surprise. Instead, we spent countless hours drilling and reviewing the best mechanical motion for the first step and lunge. It seems basic, but truly mastering that foundational skill solves many other complex footwork problems you encounter as you progress. Whether you’re able to extend your attack or to pull distance when the opponent does something unexpected is highly dependent on your body position in that first step. Never underestimate the power of a question like “What is the best way to take my first step?”

SHED COMPLEXITY BY TALKING TO BEGINNERS

Do you ever find yourself trying to explain a concept to someone, but then you find that as you explain it your understanding isn’t quite as good as you thought? Often what we think we understand differs from what we actually understand. As we learn, we tend to layer new information on top of old information, which doesn’t always lead to precise, clear thinking.

One of the best ways to uncover these discrepancies is to teach others. They don’t have the same foundation as you do, and so you must break a concept up into small pieces. The process of doing this helps you clarify your own thinking, leaving behind any unnecessary parts.

Similarly, there is much to learn from beginners. When you ask a child to explain something, it can be revelatory because the simplicity of their answer cuts to the heart of the idea. The same is true of fencers with less experience; the way they understand fencing is usually very basic and simple, and often something that a more experienced fencer can learn from.