How can I prepare for my fencing tournament?

I have the biggest fencing tournament of the year coming up in less than 2 weeks. It is the state tourny of my senior year. I am wondering how I can mentally and physically prepare myself in the next week and a half. What should I think?





Also is tehre a way to increase my parry and lunge speed?|||You do not want to make major changes to your training in the last ten days before the competition. You should continue working hard for the next few days, then taper of on the intensity of your workouts so that you are fresh for the tournament. During that time concentrate on technique and executing your game plan.





There is little that you can do a week and a half to increase your speed, other than to concentrate on form. In the off season, you can increase your lunge speed through a combination of strength work (especially deadlifts and squats) and plyometrics (to increase power). The speed with which you parry will be improved primarily through drilling.





On the mental side of the game, you need to find what helps you to enter each match relaxed but focused. For some that is visualization. See yourself executing your techniques withing the match. Imagine yourself winning. For others, music helps to place them 'in the zone.'


I can't really tell you what will work for you, but I would try one or both of the above. Remember, it is all about focus.





Good luck in the championships.|||Start around the back of your house and work to the front. Till then you would have perfected the fencing.|||mmagrand is correct, don't try for changes for this tournament. Keep up your established regimen.





OTOH, do make sure your needs are covered. If you don't already have a checklist, make one (stuff like being sure you have water and a hand towel).





When you are not at practice, do relax, close your eyes, and visualize yourself performing actions correctly.





For *future* tournaments, consider Nadi's advice for your lunge. His lunges come from a deep guard, with your back heel slightly off the floor. Extend comparatively slowly while shifting your weight forward, then finish the lunge "with lightning-like speed", lunging a bit deeper than your usual, and your back heel coming down to add power to the lunge without causing a rolled foot.





Consider lulling your opponent with a couple of retreats before launching a ballestra, but don't overuse this sequence.





Keeping your binds (flanconades) tiny and tight will make them faster. Use them the instant you know your opponent has a really tight grip. Vary your grip as needed, but generally keep it moderate, so you don't get either binds or disarms used against you.





Keep your back shoulder relaxed, don't let it creep upward as it'll screw up your balance and slow your lunge.





Don't let your forward elbow creep outwards.





Drill your lunges to varying lines, particularly refine your low line attack.