in the world of fencing, to brush aside competition requires more than skill; it involves a strategic plan that considers all possibilities, including the techniques used in preceding matches. coaches often say to their students, ignore your current limitations and tell me all about the furtive tactics competitors might use to gain an upper hand, as understanding these can provide an unexpected advantage. however, even with this knowledge, one must always be prepared to rebegin training with a focus on overcoming these sly methods, understanding that some may resort to underhanded tactics to ensure victory.