An immobile fencer in a balanced guard position, 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 an opponent’s action. However, fencing is a sport of movement, constant change, active attack and defense, and psychological warfare between fencers. All of this creates an instability that can be used effectively if we understand its elements.

As an initial proposition for thought, I suggest that instability creates the potential of having to stop or correct a situation or action before you can take effective action that results 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:

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

body position. Changes in body position affect balance, create openings where there were none before, and introduce inefficiencies into movement. Unbalanced with an unrealized opening and unable to move quickly to deal with the opponent’s attack, counter, or response is a highly 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 has to be stopped and then redirected at a cost in time and in interruption of the fencer’s ongoing tactical actions.

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

The psychological state of the shooter. Frustration, negative thoughts and self-talk, focusing on negative external factors, and even excessive excitement all erode the positive state of mind required for high performance. They can drive poor decision making and faltering performance, and have a tendency to increasingly reinforce themselves in negative ways, leading to increasingly poor results.

As a fencer, your goal may be to introduce as much instability as possible into your opponent’s game. Similarly, his goal may be to reduce instability in his own. Not all instability is bad: successful attacks are always unstable. Not all stability is good: a stationary fencer who doesn’t move when attacked is simply a target. The key is to find the right balance, using stability where it’s to your advantage (by not reacting to obvious feints, for example) and instability where appropriate.