Since this thread has passed it's "sell by" date (the Supreme Court is currently deliberating the same-sex marriage issue, I'm sure they are aware that some 81% of Americans favor same-sex marriage, and it's only a matter of time—a fairly short time—before Goofballupagus, Akenaton, and those of similar ilk will go the way of Piltdown Man), I have no qualms about digressing a bit.

For those hardy souls still reading this thread, if there are any who are interested in the sport of fencing, I highly recommend getting a copy of Aldo Nadi's On Fencing, published in 1943, but paperback reprints can be purchased from Amazon. The book is excellent throughout, but in a short chapter toward the back of the book, entitled "Free Will in Defense," I found the secret to my success at standing in one spot supported by a crutch and simply slugging it out with my opponent. How to develop a nearly impenetrable defense! Read and heed!

Also, at Halberstadt's school in San Francisco, both Sal Giambra and Gerry Biagini (two of the country's best fencers and also two of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet) were very generous to me in the salle d'armes and gave me a lot of tips gleaned from their experience in international fencing tournaments (both of the guys were on the U. S. Olympic Team at the time).

For example, Gerry told me to have a parry or parry combination pre-planned, then hold it until my opponent lunged (similar to what Nadi said in the recommended chapter), but keep my eyes fixed on his shoulder and the right side of his chest (assuming he's right-handed). I will also be able to see his right foot in my peripheral vision. When he lunges, I will see him pick up his right foot, his arm will straighted, and he will move forward—very quickly! That's when I go into my parry-combination, deflect his point, and fire a swift riposte back.

He also said to notice any little mannerisms my opponent had and take advantage of them if possible.

All of this things proved very helpful in future fencing bouts.

That latter—noting my opponent's mannerisms or habits—allowed me to start beating a Seattle fencer who, until that point, had always beaten me. His mouth got dry when he fenced (he was a bit of a mouth-breather), so to alleviate that, he chewed gum. I notice that this made his mask bob a little bit. But a split second before he lunged, he would stop chewing. This was a tip-off. And suddenly he began losing bouts to me! He couldn't figure out how I got so good so fast!

Nasty me! I never told him either!

If you fence, try putting these little tips into practice.

Don (step aside, d'Artagnan!) Firth