BOOK REVIEW #1
Epee 2.0 – The Birth of the New Fencing Paradigm
Author: Johan Harmenberg
With Ruggero Ceci, Geoff Pingree and Bjorne Vaggo
170 pages
Published by SKA Swordplay Books
Epee 2.0 sets out in considerable detail the development and implementation of a modern fencing paradigm that remains bitterly controversial to this day, with some critics arguing that as a result classical fencing has disappeared.
The author, Johan Harmenberg, gave up on serious fencing because he believed he lacked the talent to fence classically. However, together with Eric Sollee, an innovative coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harmenberg and Sollee mapped out a new fencing paradigm based on what would be referred to as ‘the three conjectures’. Harmenberg put the New Paradigm into effect with a vengeance; winning the World Championship in Men’s Individual Epee in 1977 and the Olympic Gold Medal in 1980.
Epee 2.0 – The Birth of the New Fencing Paradigm tells his story, revealing the theory behind the new paradigm, his style and explains why his method neutralised the superior technique of the best classical fencers.
...the Soviets had moved away from classical fencing as early as the 1960’s...
Harmenberg asserts (as did his critics) that, as a result of the new paradigm, fencing would never be the same again. He states, ‘It was not my intention to make classical fencing obsolete but this was the unfortunate result.’ In his defence, it is noted that the Soviets had moved away from classical fencing as early as the 1960’s and that over time, the classical approach began to be tempered by the realities of sport fencing and also the fact that style points fell out of favour.
However, the author does stress the fact that ‘the new paradigm builds on the actions of the old one’ and that ‘the actions of classical fencing remain as valid as ever.’ The new paradigm seeks to simplify the lengthy dialogue of classical fencing. It seeks to forestall the “conversation” by making it as difficult as possible for an opponent to hit at all. The new approach employed speed and distance as its critical elements rather than relying solely on fencing talent. There is a separation of physically-based tactics from technique-based tactics.
The new approach employed speed and distance as its critical elements rather than relying solely on fencing talent.
The author observes that the model for combat was based more on Muhammad Ali than on Aldo Nadi, and that Ali’s phrase, ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” aptly summarised the author and his colleagues’ aspirations as fencers and underpins the theory and practice of the new dimension.
In summary, the new paradigm involves radical thinking in ensuring no blade, destructive parries, fencing that aims to steer the opponent into the fencer’s area of excellence. It involves considerable mobility, aiming to steer the fencing into a distance that is awkward for the opponent while providing opportunities for high point speed scoring by rapid arm extension movements.
...combat was based more on Muhammad Ali than on Aldo Nadi...
It is worth noting that whilst the book obviously focuses on epee fencing, foil and sabre fencers will also find much that will be of interest to them in terms of strategy and approach. The book both tells a personal story of improbable success and is also a manual of instruction. The book has not been written by one person only. It contains contributions by several fencers who add their fencing stories and contributions. Importantly, the book is an attempt to bridge the gap between theory and practice and describe as clearly as possible one epee fencing paradigm for winning.
Leaving to one side the personal stories, the book is not one that beginners should rely upon at this stage of their fencing endeavours. The author makes the observation that if you have fenced for less than five years you should still be concentrating on learning the wide variety of techniques that comprise classical fencing before actioning the advice and instruction for the new paradigm.
...foil and sabre fencers will also find much that will be of interest to them in terms of strategy and approach.
The new paradigm evolved out of discussions amongst Harmenberg and his colleagues regarding the possibility of designing a new fencing style based on speed and little blade contact. Classical fencing assumed that the fencer with superior technique would control the outcome, that the fencer who maintained the longer distance has the advantage, and that the key to victory laid in defeating the opponent’s best moves.
Eric Sollee and Johan Harmenberg, however, formulated what became known as the ‘Sollee Conjectures’ which proposed nothing less than standing the classical paradigm on its head.
Sollee’s Conjectures were as follows:
1. Is it possible for the fencer with the lower technical fencing ability to decide the technical level of a bout?
2. Can the fencer with the shorter fencing distance control the distance in a bout?
3. Is it possible to force your opponent into your own area of greatest strength?
The team began to experiment with the new possibilities and the book proceeds to explain in detail the new paradigm, showing its basis in theory, explaining how it works in practice and providing the means of adopting it and obviously answering the three conjectures Describing various elements of the new fencing paradigm required the creation of a new vocabulary and the book helpfully provides definitions and terminology right upfront in the book to assist in understanding the new fencing paradigm.
...the book is not one that beginners should rely upon at this stage of their fencing endeavours.
The author particularly stresses the focus on not getting hit and steering the opponent into a fencer’s own Areas of Excellence. In the new paradigm, this is viewed as the crucial discussion.
Outlined are such situations as ‘Olympic Touches’ where both fencers feel desperate to score the next hit and describes the strategy for handling these Olympic touches, such as fencing outside both fencers’ Area of Excellence (AoE), trying to defeat your opponent’s AoE, fencing inside your own AoE and detailing possible reactions by an opponent to your AoE.
The notion of ‘hidden prerequisites’ is discussed in that there is always a certain set of prerequisites from an opponent that make a particular scoring action possible. As a result it is more interesting for you to analyse your losses than wins. Steps are provided in the book as to the way to analyse your losses and turn them into learning experiences and later victories.
Amongst many interesting observations by the author is the comment that “It is appropriate to consider fencing bouts as being on a continuous sliding scale between technique-based and physically-based tactics. The endpoints of this scale are maximum technique-based tactics coinciding with minimum physical-based tactics with the primary intention of scoring hits, and maximum physically-based tactics coinciding with minimum technique-based tactics with the intention of avoiding being hit. Because of the major shift in world-class epee fencing over the last two decades, it is appropriate to call this sliding scale between the two described endpoints, the new fencing dimension.”
...it is more interesting for you to analyse your losses than wins.
In order to succeed within the new fencing dimension, the author indicates that the fencer needs to master certain tactics.
The tactics range through the following topics:
Steering
Destructive Parries
Confusing Parries
Controlling the Distance
Bouncing
Harmenberg proceeds to describe in a number of chapters the journey he takes (which was far from being a straight forward exercise) in order to maximise the reader’s understanding of the rather novel and complex thinking represented by the new fencing paradigm. For example, the reasoning behind the bouncing concept and the strategic uses it enabled, provides for interesting reading. Indeed, apart from the technical aspects, the book’s merit is enhanced by the ‘behind the scenes’ understanding of how the various components of the new paradigm were arrived at and adds a more complete understanding of the new dimension.
It is appropriate to consider fencing bouts as being on a continuous sliding scale between technique-based and physically-based tactics.
Of particular interest in considering technique and strategy is the section by the author on the emphasis in the speed of the weapon arm extension and the way a point approaches the opponent and scores. The author describes point hit speed and the ‘critical’ gap and also models the concept in easily understood mathematical terms.
Harmenberg also elaborates on his personal approach, dealing with such diverse issues as cheating, mental attitude to match situations, tactical considerations and peaking for a critical competition. However, you should be forewarned that when reading Harmenberg’s demanding program for reaching peak performance it will ‘exhaust’ you just reading about it, let alone even thinking of doing it. ‘Commitment’ is a word that Johan Harmenberg clearly takes very seriously.
...the concepts explained in the book promote and reinforce continuing evolution in the sport of fencing.
Harmenberg does not suggest that we must change the way fencing is taught, at least not at first. He sees the new paradigm as a logical continuation of classical fencing and that all of the skills required for fencing in the manner of the new paradigm do need to be trained separately, with the assistance of a coach who can take into account a fencer’s individual traits.
There is also an interesting appendix that emphasises and encourages the need to expand scientific knowledge and literature in the area of predictions of fencing success, given that there is very little scientific literature available, particularly when compared with other sports.
In formulating and implementing the new paradigm in fencing, Harmenberg and his colleagues have been criticised (and in turn acknowledge the criticisms) that they destroyed the virtues and ideals of classical fencing. Clearly, there will continue to be debate and contention as to whether or not the new paradigm is an important enhancement to the sport and to the expertise of fencing technique and tactics. However, irrespective of which side one might take in such a debate, the concepts explained in the book promote and reinforce continuing evolution in the sport of fencing.
The author has written a book that is a compilation of ideas that ultimately formed the new paradigm. In discussing his personal journey there is a refreshing honesty in his approach and assessment. He sees his book as simply a first step in describing the present fencing paradigm and hopes that others will continue to contribute to its development.
One of the more important observations by the author is that “this new fencing dimension gives us the intellectual tool to understand the outcome of fencing bouts and also recommends remedies for losses.” Whether you agree or disagree with the underlying concepts of the new paradigm, this book does stretch your imagination and your desire to analyse and critically appraise your own fencing techniques and tactics in a bout. That in itself makes this book a well worthwhile read.
...should be regarded as a welcome addition in any coach or fencer’s library.
Johan Harmenberg believes his book is a bit too black and white for his own taste (particularly as he is a scientist) but felt the need to write the book in the style he has, to present the concept as clearly as possible. To his credit, he has achieved his objective. This is an eminently readable, instructive and informative book. It should be regarded as a welcome addition in any coach or fencer’s library.
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