Take Your Fencing Bouts to the Next Level - with Mental Training

By Craig Townsend
Clinical Hypnotherapist, Mental Trainer & Founder of NeuroFrequency Programming™ A groundbreaking multi-layered method that blends advanced mind techniques with various brainwave frequencies to unlock deeper potential, dissolve limiting patterns, and rewire your subconscious for lasting transformation. Learn more about NeuroFrequency Programming™ and the Multi-Track Transformation System™ →

Bringing all of your greatest strengths to the big competition bout is no accident.

Do You Perform Better in Practice Than in Competition Bouts, on the Fencing Strip?

Mental training is the answer. Being such a physically and mentally demanding sport, it requires a combination of physical skill, strategy, and unwavering focus to rise above the rest.

Training your mind helps to overcome past barriers, achieving your highest potential and transforming your confidence & belief — taking your results to the next level.

Let me explain the various benefits and how it can be used to improve performance.

Importantly, you can customize mind techniques such as visualization (mental rehearsal, imagery) to suit your exact needs, tactics, and plays — whatever is required for your next competitive bout or event.

Even better, it reinforces your technique, skill, strategy, tactics, reflexes, precise movements, and tactical expertise.

It also helps you master new skills and techniques in accelerated time.

Once you become accomplished at visualizing, this adds a whole new dimension to your bouts on the fencing strip.

Think of it as a kind of “secret weapon” your opponents don’t know about and do not possess.

Over the years, foilists and their coaches have been astounded at how quickly and easily they can improve performance.

It's no different from mastering physical skills — you just need to work out at the inner gym.

And today, I'll show you some powerful techniques you can do from home — including the major ones: embedding positive core beliefs, learning to visualize effectively, and developing positive inner dialogue.

I will outline both traditional methods and the latest fast-track techniques used by elite competitors for accessing peak performance and overcoming barriers.

One of the key benefits of hypnosis for fencing is its ability to improve your deep focus.

Implementing & Mastering These Techniques at Home

For generations, athletes have relied on powerful techniques like visualization to gain a competitive edge. Now, with advancements in modern technology, these techniques have become even more sophisticated.

I will outline some examples for you shortly, which you can practice at home (as effective do-it-yourself programs are what most people are asking for).

I have outlined the various options below to cater to different levels, so you can choose the best path you'd like to explore.

Training Options - For Different Standards, Levels & Skill Sets

Depending upon your level of experience and expertise, there are two distinct approaches to mental preparation - as below:

Option 1: Mental Exercise Practice
Building Foundations – for New & Entry-Level Competitors

If you’re just beginning your journey - or have time to practice regularly - this approach helps you build a solid mental foundation through proven traditional techniques (otherwise skip to Option 2 for Accelerated Techniques).

These methods offer gradual but powerful shifts in mindset, clarity, and confidence.

Focus Areas:

1. Creating Powerful New Beliefs
2. Visualization & Mental Rehearsal
3. Developing a Positive Mindset

I will provide examples of these you can work through below, but for those who want fast results right away, skip to the advanced options below.

Option 2: Accelerated Techniques

Fast-Track Performance – For Intermediate & Advanced Competitors

Advanced competitors seek faster improvements with proven methods requiring less manual effort. This approach blends mental strategies with cutting-edge audio technology – delivered directly to your device.

Achieve results in 4–6 weeks that might otherwise take up to 12 months with traditional training.

Ready to skip the boring manual work? Next step up is to get the Fast-Track Audio Program – developed from decades of coaching elite athletes, combining neuroscience with hypnotic techniques. Just $29.95.

These audios embed everything straight into your subconscious Your subconscious is the powerhouse of peak performance, controlling all bodily movement, storing your training experience and muscle memory, and guiding your body with effortless efficiency and precision. Estimated to be 275,000 times more powerful than the conscious mind [University of Pennsylvania] , so no manual repetition is needed.

Or for the ultimate in personalized training...

Check out NeuroFrequency Programming - a system of customized theta-level Theta brainwaves (4–8Hz): Unlocks heightened creativity, mental clarity, and subconscious alignment - ideal for accelerated learning, focus, and peak performance. mental training recordings, personalized to your exact needs, training, schedule, mindset, and competition challenges - to deal with confidence, focus, resilience, and overcoming nerves or lack of belief, and up to 3 months of monitoring results.

Of course, if time is not an issue, you can always begin by doing the exercises manually - and if you are not satisfied, you can always progress to the next level - combining these and other techniques simultaneously, to accelerate results (see below).

And so for those committed to dedicating time to regular practice and reinforcement, I have provided a selection of options and info below you can work through, and explore further. (if you have further questions - simply drop me an email)

1. Embedding Positive Core Beliefs

This exercise, called a contemplation, embeds powerful new core beliefs within your subconscious, as these enormously influence performance.

Your beliefs - weak or strong - ultimately determine your results - and how far your potential can develop. They are the dominating force - more powerful than motivation, talent, ability, fitness, power, etc.

These are your 5 Core Beliefs list to instill, below. Focus on each point in the list for 30 seconds daily, thinking of positive thoughts related to the topic and reasons why it's true for you.

Do this until the reasons are true for you.

1. I attack and defend with meticulous precision.

2. My superior tactical and strategic awareness outmaneuvers my opponents.

3. My immaculate timing, distance, tempo, footwork and positioning make me a formidable opponent.

4. I remain full in the moment and easily anticipate my opponent's actions.

5. I quickly work out my opponent's weaknesses and adapt my strategy accordingly.

2. Visualization Exercises

Needless to say, the initial and primary visualization should be of yourself competing at your absolute peak of your performance - with as much, or as little, detail as you wish - while imagining experiencing great confidence and inner power while you are performing.

Do this each day, while in a relaxed state (directly before or after sleep are excellent times), and ensuring you use all your senses - ie. ensure the images are vivid, realistic, present-tense, positive, and without any external distractions.

While the results wont be as quick as using the audio recordings, slowly but surely this will bring about improvements, so be patient. As you progress in your development, consider integrating the following aspects to enhance your mind's capacity to visualize flawless performance.

As there are literally hundreds of different ways you can use imagery for various different purposes, I have included some options you can experiment with later on.

But for now, keep to the basics, and make sure you practice regularly.

Mental Imagery Examples.....

- Your opponent's movements and anticipate their next move - Imagine your opponent's movements and anticipate their next move, allowing you to react more quickly and effectively.

- Making quick and precise movements - making quick and precise movements, and focus on improving your footwork and technique.

- Staying calm and composed under pressure - staying calm and composed under pressure, and focus on controlling your emotions during a match.

- Executing a perfect attack or defense - executing a perfect attack or defense, and focus on improving your technique and form.

- Making quick decisions and adapting to changing situations - making quick decisions and adapting to changing situations, allowing you to stay ahead of your opponent.

- Using feints and deception to outsmart your opponent - using feints and deception to outsmart your opponent, and focus on improving your technique and timing.

- Moving fluidly and effortlessly on the strip - moving fluidly and effortlessly on the strip, and focus on improving your footwork and agility.

- Executing a series of well-timed attacks and defenses - executing a series of well-timed attacks and defenses, and focus on improving your timing and rhythm.

- Using distance and timing to control the bout - using distance and timing to control the bout, and focus on improving your awareness and control of space.

- Staying focused and alert throughout the match - staying focused and alert throughout the match, and focus on maintaining your concentration and mental stamina.

- Using your opponent's movements and momentum against them - using your opponent's movements and momentum against them, and focus on improving your ability to anticipate and react to their actions.

- Adapting your strategy to counter your opponent's strengths and weaknesses - adapting your strategy to counter your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, and focus on improving your tactical flexibility.

- Staying patient and waiting for the right opportunity to strike - staying patient and waiting for the right opportunity to strike, and focus on improving your timing and precision.

- Staying balanced and grounded throughout the bout - staying balanced and grounded throughout the bout, and focus on improving your stability and control.

- Remaining calm and confident in the face of adversity - remaining calm and confident in the face of adversity, and focus on maintaining your mental composure and resolve.

- Maintaining a clear and focused mind throughout the bout - maintaining a clear and focused mind throughout the bout, and focus on improving your mental clarity and concentration.

- Using your footwork to control the distance between you and your opponent - using your footwork to control the distance between you and your opponent, and focus on improving your footwork and agility.

- Using your body and blade to create a wall of defense - using your body and blade to create a wall of defense, and focus on improving your defensive technique and positioning.

- Using your speed and agility to surprise and outmaneuver your opponent - using your speed and agility to surprise and outmaneuver your opponent, and focus on improving your speed and reaction time.

- Using your blade to find and exploit weaknesses in your opponent's defense - using your blade to find and exploit weaknesses in your opponent's defense, and focus on improving your blade work and technique.

- Maintaining a high level of intensity and aggression throughout the match - maintaining a high level of intensity and aggression throughout the match, and focus on improving your mental and physical stamina.

3. Affirmations for Performance

You can also manually recite a mantra over and over again silently in your mind, which is a manual auditory method which can be targeted towards specific uses - plus work great to drown out nagging negative thoughts during performance.

Note: Ensure you use a great deal more repetition to create the necessary reinforcement, seeing these will be recited at the conscious, rather than subconscious, level. A manual way to get around this can be reciting mantras in the shower, which relaxes the mind and body.

Some examples below.. ensure the statements are positive, present-tense, and with no hidden or reverse negatives.

"I am focused on my footwork and movement." - By being mindful of your footwork, you can improve your agility and avoid being caught off guard by your opponent.

"I am confident in my ability to read my opponent's movements." - By paying attention to your opponent's movements, you can anticipate their attacks and respond accordingly.

"I am always looking for opportunities to score points." - Being quick thinking and taking advantage of any openings your opponent gives you.

"I am constantly improving my technique." - Technical skill is essential, and there is always room for improvement.

"I am focused on my breathing and staying calm under pressure." - It's important to stay calm and focused under high-pressure situations.

"I am always practicing my footwork and bladework." - Consistent practice is crucial to developing the muscle memory required for the sport.

"I am confident in my ability to adapt to my opponent's style." - Being able to adapt to opponent's movements can give you an edge.

"I am always analyzing my performance and looking for areas to improve." - Self-reflection is an important part of improving in any activity.

"I am focused on maintaining a strong stance and balance." - A strong stance and good balance are essential for success.

"I am confident in my ability to execute my attacks." - Precision, quick reflexes, and confidence are required to follow through with attacks.

"I am always learning and improving my strategies." - Learning new strategies can help you anticipate opponents' moves and gain an advantage.

"I am focused on my form and technique." - Proper form and technique are essential for success.

"I am confident in my ability to defend against my opponent's attacks." - Defense is just as important as offense and being confident in your ability to defend can give you an edge.

"I am always looking for ways to improve my speed and agility." - Speed and agility are crucial, and training to improve these skills can make a big difference.

"I have good balance and coordination" - Precise and controlled movements require good balance and coordination.

* "I am focused and alert during matches" - Being focused and alert during matches can help you react quickly to your opponent's moves.

* "I have strong footwork" - Good footwork is essential and allows you to move quickly and change direction easily.

"I am always looking for opportunities to score points." - Creating quick thinking and taking advantage of any opening your opponent gives you.

"I am constantly improving my technique." - Developing technical skill is crucial, and there is always room for improvement.

"I am focused on my breathing and staying calm under pressure." - Remaining calm and focused in high-pressure situations.

"I am always practicing my footwork and bladework." - Consistent practice to develop muscle memory.

"I am confident in my ability to adapt to my opponent's style." - Adapting to an opponent's unique style and movements.

"I am always analyzing my performance and looking for areas to improve." - Self-reflection and improvement are vital.

"I am focused on maintaining a strong stance and balance." - Proper stance and balance are essential.

"I am confident in my ability to execute my attacks." - Precision, quick reflexes, and confidence in following through with attacks.

"I am always learning and improving my strategies." - Learning new strategies to anticipate an opponent's moves and gain an advantage.

"I am focused on my form and technique." - Proper form and technique are crucial for success.

"I am confident in my ability to defend against my opponent's attacks." - Defense is just as important as offense, and confidence in defense gives an edge.

"I am always looking for ways to improve my speed and agility." - Speed and agility training are crucial.

"I have good balance and coordination" - Precise and controlled movements require good balance and coordination.

"I am focused and alert during matches" - Quick reflexes and the ability to make split-second decisions require focus and alertness.

"I have strong footwork" - Strong footwork allows for quick movement and easy direction changes.

"I have a strong lunge" - The lunge is crucial, and a strong lunge reaches opponents and scores points.

The Neuroscience of Rewiring Your Brain for Peak Performance

This information now equips you with the tools to kickstart your own (manual) training - programming your mind's software to power your body's performance. It takes practice, so do not delay.

* Or - if you prefer the fast-track option for more advanced training, go with the accelerated approach.

Mind Training for Fencing
by Craig Townsend (Dip. Clin. Hyp)

Hypnosis / Visualization Program
for Accelerated Results

MP3 Download
$29.95

* Intro
* Mind Training / Visualization Track
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* Sleep Subliminal (value $30)
* Email Support / Professional Advice
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Accelerated Mental Training / Hypnosis Audios
by Craig Townsend
Mental Trainer / Clinical Hypnotherapist

Take it to the Next Level

Discover the Key to Unlimited Improvement.

Listen....

* Audio - 'The Power of Visualization & Belief'
- Craig Townsend explains how these transform performance.

Click the 'Play' symbol to start the audio.

* Audio - 'Pre-Performance Motivator'
- Get motivated before performance
with this 5 minute belief reinforcement.

Click the 'Play' symbol to start the audio.