How to Go About My First Bout?
by Bev Santos-Alarcon
Being nervous is normal. This is a new situation for you as a beginner, it is ok to be nervous.
But though you are nervous, you must focus on the game. Focus on the present moment. Do not aim to win the game. Aim to hit the opponent in the here and now. Be the first to hit the opponent right after you here Alle or Fence.
If ever you lost the first point, never mind it. Erase it from your memory. Think as if it is still 0-0. This is to lessen or eliminate the pressure and anxiety. Just aim for 1 point at this moment in time.
After your first point, think that it is 0-0 again. And just aim for 1 point.
In short, take it one point at a time.
Whoever wins it does not affect your value as a person. Do not think that if you lost the game that you have a lower value as a person. The score does not represent who you are. It’s just that you met a faster fencer, a more aggressive fencer. Don’t ever think that there is something wrong in your personhood.
You just have to analyze why you lost. Then when you know the answers why you lost, train to improve those aspects in your fencing.
Do not take the bout personally. It is merely a game. It is just a gauge of what else you must improve on.