Mental States of Fencing (cont.)

4. Buddha
Buddha is the best mental state to be in while fencing. It is characterized by a blank look, an empty mind, and complete silence. You are completely detached from reality while maintaining razor sharp focus and purpose. People will score touches on you, but you will score epic touches that nobody thinks you can score.

5. Murderous Fury
Murderous Fury is one of the worst conditions to fence in. But not to fret, it can also be one of the most fun to fence in. A true murderous fury, as opposed to being mildly upset while fencing, is characterized by reckless and unusually wild movements, an adrenaline high unlike anything else, and no use of tactics or rationality. It makes a fencer TOO explosive and every action becomes too powerful. This does not mean that you are hitting way harder, although often times it is the case.

6. Confusion
This is the only real state new fencers are in when they come into a competition for the first time. Despite lessons, conditioning, and preparation, new fencers will always start here. Confusion is terrifying for older fencers because they can usually identify it right away, and they know exactly how screwed they are if they are unable to change it.

Confusion is defined as a lack of perception, which means that the fencer in question can't see the actions as they are taking place. This also means that they aren't planning their next move nor can they anticipate one from an opponent. Further, they are not making confident actions or finishing correctly, which means more calls are going against them.

7. Resolute Despair
Congratulations! After pools you just got the #1 seed in Div 1A, good luck!
Resolute Despair comes when you come onto the strip with little hope of progressing, but you are competing and so you shall fence despite the odds stacked against you. This usually results in better fencing as you are more relaxed and prepared for your fate despite resolving to take as many points on that scoreboard as you possibly can. The real problem with resolute despair is that it is just that... Despair. Once you get up on an opponent you start to tell yourself that you can possibly win this one, which excites you and makes your movements a little too large.