Word: vastola
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...Vastola also tries to coax his opponents into reacting to his actions rather than calmly designing their own. "When you're aggressive, beating the blade hard, making strong provocations--getting him to react you can then go through his defense like you were carving a cake of butter...
...Vastola does not make such mental errors. "You have to be able to gauge your opponent when you step on the strip, probe him. You have to tailor your fencing to what you need to beat him," he says. Simple, well-executed attacks are often the most appropriate, Vastola says...
...Vastola also uses a variety of psychological ploys to gain the upper hand over his opponent. At the beginning of each bout etiquette dictates that each fencer salute the director (referee) and his opponent with his blade. Vastola says "when I salute my opponent I give him a long, hard stare. It doesn't have to be too menacing and malicious although sometimes that helps too. You maintain eye contact. I remember earlier in the year against North Carolina seeing my opponent nervously avert my stare. That boosts my confidence and drains...
...Vastola's psychological and tactical maneuvers are not only directed at his opponents. They are also aimed at the director. Unlike many fencers Vastola never loses his self-control on the strip. As others fuss, fume and fluster Vastola hides his frustration with dubious calls and uses gentle persuasion to try and get the director thinking "the right...
...director will never change a call," Vastola says. "If you argue coolly, and sparingly, he may say to himself, 'maybe I did make a mistake.' Psychologically, he may give you a touch. If you bark at him too loudly and too often, that'll only harden his resolve to screw...