One of the hardest things to do as a new HEMA practitioner is to understand when to use the techniques you've learned. You spend time in class learning how to pull off the technique, but how do you recognise the time to use it?
What is the difference between strategy, tactic, and technique? Well, a strategy is a solution to a problem, whereas a tactic is... a solution to a problem, and technique is... a solution to a problem. The difference is clear, right? No?
Strategy
Strategy is the high-level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty. Examples:
I'm going to go into this fight and be aggressive.
I'm going to be really defensive for this fight.
I'm going to try and outlast the other fencer with my superior fitness and conditioning.
If you have a strategy, it might be based on knowledge of your opponent (are they fast, are they tall?). Or it might be related to your goal for the day: are you trying to practice certain techniques? Are you in a competition and need to achieve a certain result to progress to the next round?
Tactics
Tactics are the specific actions or steps you undertake to accomplish the strategy. They are more immediate and short-term in nature. They rely on you being able to identify immediate problems, and to have a general idea of how to overcome them.
Problem | Tactic |
Opponent is in a point-forward guard, making it hard to attack them | I need to get their point offline somehow |
Opponent is aggressive and closing distance | I need to force opponent to maintain distance with a threat |
Opponent is standing still, waiting for me | I need to provoke them into moving so I can safely attack |
Opponent is tall and outreaches me | I need to draw out an attack so I can parry it and riposte |
Technique
Technique refers to the way in which each of the tactics is executed. It’s about the skill or method used in performing a particular task. To take one of the examples above:
Problem: Opponent is in a point-forward guard, making it hard to attack them.
Tactic: I need to get their point offline somehow.
Techniques I could use:
Beat their blade out of the way, then attack.
Bind and press their blade to the side. When they disengage under or over my blade, I will parry that and attack.
Perform a 'Scheilhau' (squinting strike, a false-edge cut that essentially simultaneously beats aside their blade and thrusts).
To know when to pull off a certain technique, you need to:
Understand the problem the technique is trying to solve.
Be able to spot that problem at the time (in fencing, the problem might only last a few moments).
Be able to use that technique in the moment, which takes lots of practice.
Use the correct technique to solve the correct problem! Easier said than done.
Next time you are learning a new technique, don't ask 'When do I use this?'. Ask 'What problem is this trying to solve?'.
Different fencing systems will typically have somewhat different tactical frameworks and therefore different techniques to solve the same problems. For example, one system may favour single time actions to control the opponent's sword and attack them simultaneously. Another system may prefer use feints and other provocations, and then to attack as a second action once the opponent's sword has been controlled.