Andrew (CyrusofChaos) has a new video up on the forums analyzing Russian sabre fencer Nikolai Kovalev.
It has been a long time since I released a compilation video. The reason was I didnt really see anything unique enough to fill an entire video with. but when I saw Kovalev’s attack in Padova, I was amazed by how much it had improved since a few years ago when I first watched him in the [2008] Olympics. I present to you my first “evolution” video, of how Nikolay Kovalev’s attack was during the Olympics and how it is now.
Craig’s notes: Watching this is similar to watching the Montano Trample Attack video discussed on the forums a while back. Take a look at not only what the fencers are doing, but why they are doing it and how they adjust.
If you look at video of Mariel Zagunis (2010 NYC here) you can find similarities to Kovalev’s attack. Both are strong and fast attackers, but to take away the counter attack both do some of the stutter step footwork that both keeps opponents off balance and provide a greater ability to choose when to accelerate or change direction.
The reason why fencers hear to take smaller steps from their coaches can be seen in these videos.