Ideomotor training may be a regular peculiarity of the preparation of athletes. In fencing, the fencing lessons make great use of ideomotor principles with the utilization of visualization as a preliminary phase of the fencing lesson. Wojciechowski briefly mentions the utilization of ideomotor fencing bouts as a training tool in his excellent book Theory, Methods, and Exercises in Fencing. this text expands on the utilization of ideomotor bouts.
The essence of ideomotor training lies within the use of imagination and visualization of the fencer performing Fencing Lessons London techniques and tactics. Ideomotor training features a proven record of success in other sports, especially in rehabilitation after injuries when the athlete is unable to perform at a full physical level. The genius of the Tauberbischofsheim approach lies within the use of such visualization as a daily component of preparation before the lesson to boost the fencer’s performance level.
There is general agreement that such visualization-based approaches require that the athlete practice the skill involved mentally. However, the mental performance of only the skill doesn’t reach the complete potential of this training method. The athlete must enrich the practice by recalling the mental tactical process involved, the subtle cues that trigger the action, any sensations normally recognized, and even the texture of the strip, the commands of the referee… briefly all of the particular conditions of actual combat. The richer the mental environment, the simpler the training.
The ideomotor bout takes this type of coaching one step further. The fencer fences an entire bout against an opponent; the opponent could also be imaginary, a composite of varied opponents, or one individual the fencer faced before in competition. There are several variables to the present sort of exercise:
(1) On the only level the fencer should use all of the techniques that he or she knows within the bout. during a more complex version, the fencer applies a typical tactical system to settle on the techniques which will be best against the imaginary opponent. this needs the fencer to line the tactical level of the visualized opponent. If the primary simple attack succeeds, does the fencer shift to a compound attack for an opponent who would immediately be prepared to parry and riposte, or does the fencer continue with simple actions because the opponent will take several actions to work out the problem?
(2) In some circumstances, this bout should be fenced completely by imagination. Here the fencer must visualize all parts of the bout including his or her own sensations of movement. However, if practice space is out there, the fencer can imagine only the opponent’s actions, using actual footwork and blade actions exactly as they might be utilized in a true bout. This approach combines the imagination of the opponent with physical work by the fencer.
(3) The bout is often completely personal to the fencer, or a referee and a strip coach are often added. The referee can make involves and against the fencer supported the technical quality of the attack and defense, adding a complication to the choice process. The strip coach can send plays between halt and fence and may discuss the bout on the 1-minute break. This provides training for both the fencer and therefore the strip coach.
At its most pure the ideomotor bout gives the fencer the power to fence about anywhere at any time. Other versions require practice space and equipment and thereby lose a number of their convenience as they are available closer to a traditional practice bout. However, all of those approaches increase repetitions, add variety to training, and make fencers think more deeply about their fencing.
