A stationary shooter in a balanced position on guard, covered in a line and with a clear mind and a plan for combat, is in a stable condition. All directions and speeds of movement are possible. Attack and defense are equally available. The fencer can choose to take the initiative or wait and react to the action of an opponent. However, fencing is a sport of movement, constant change, active attack and defense, and psychological warfare among fencers. All of this creates instability that can be used effectively if we understand its elements.

As an initial thoughtful proposition, I suggest that instability creates the possibility of having to stop or correct a situation or action before you can actually take action that will result in a successful outcome. On the other hand, controlled instability is clearly necessary for successful attacks. The following key areas can create instability in the strip:

Movement. When both shooters are moving at the same speed over the same distance, the condition is essentially stable. Variations of this in speed, distance, mechanics of movement and especially time create instability in favor of one or the other of the fencers. Attacking when the opponent has a moving foot closing the distance (opponent’s negative instability) or from the front foot in his gait when an opening appears (his positive instability) are examples.

Body position. Changes in body position impact balance, create openings where there were none before, and introduce movement inefficiencies. Unbalanced with an unrealized opening and unable to move quickly to deal with the opponent’s attack, counterattack or response, it is a very vulnerable state.

Blade movement. The stable blade can move as fast as the fencer’s reaction time, movement time and physical conditioning allow. The moving blade must be stopped and then redirected at a cost in time and in disrupting the fencer’s ongoing tactical actions.

The plan. It seems obvious that a fencer must enter the match with a plan, and then constantly modify and refine that plan based on the performance of both the fencer and the opponent. Continuing to follow a plan that no longer addresses combat conditions creates instability in the sense that the fencer’s tactical actions do not match the changing situation.

The fencer’s psychological state. Frustration, negative thoughts and self-talk, a focus on negative external factors, and even excessive arousal erode the positive state of mind required for high performance. They can drive poor decision making and faltering performance, and they tend to reinforce themselves more and more in negative ways, leading to increasingly poor results.

As a fencer, your goal may be to introduce as much instability into your opponent’s game as possible. Similarly, your goal may be to reduce instability in yours. Not all instability is bad; successful attacks are always unstable. Not all stability is good – a static fencer who doesn’t move when under attack is simply a target. The key is to find the right balance, use stability when it is to your advantage (for example, not to react to obvious feints) and instability when appropriate.