Scouting, preparation, and the craft of fencing.
Field notes from competitive fencers on how to study opponents, build a scouting routine, and walk onto the strip ready.
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May 12, 2026 · scouting · fundamentals
How elite fencers scout opponents: a tactical notebook approach
The best fencers don't trust their memory. They keep a scouting book. Here's how to build one that actually helps you win the next bout.
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May 5, 2026 · scouting · tournament-prep
What to log during a fencing pool: a tournament-day checklist
Pools move fast. Here's the minimum a scouting fencer should capture per bout, and how to do it without losing focus on the next match.
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April 28, 2026 · scouting · foil · epee · sabre
Foil vs épée vs sabre: how scouting differs by weapon
Every fencing weapon rewards a different scouting model. Here's what each weapon actually wants you to remember about an opponent, and what to ignore.
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April 21, 2026 · tournament-prep · scouting
Pre-DE preparation: using head-to-head history to plan a bracket
DE brackets reward fencers who know who they're about to fence. Here's a routine for using head-to-head history between the pool close and the DE start.
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April 14, 2026 · coaching · sharing
Sharing scouting with your team: a coach's guide to read-only opponent databases
How a coaching team can share opponent scouting without losing control of source-of-truth notes. The case for read-only sharing, with a practical workflow.
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April 7, 2026 · scouting · fundamentals
From paper notebook to digital: migrating handwritten opponent notes
A practical guide for fencers with years of handwritten scouting notes. What to migrate, what to leave behind, and the structure that survives the transition.