Point Control: Navigating Judges, Rulesets, and the Mental Game
Sat, Apr 18
|Bridge City Blades
Turn frustration into focus: A deep dive into the competitive mind.


Time & Location
Apr 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Bridge City Blades, 1305 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA
About the event
The Fight Doesn't Start When the Director Says "A voi!"
It starts in your head weeks before, and it continues in the way you navigate the ring and interpret the rules. Most fencers train the how of a strike, but few train the why of a tournament bout.
Join us for a three-part intensive workshop designed to pull back the curtain on competitive HEMA. We aren't just practicing techniques; we’re practicing mental fortitude.
Phase 1: Mentality. Learn to find your "quiet center" amidst the noise. We’ll cover focus-driven warmups and drills designed to help you recover when the judging is tough or your opponent is surging.
Phase 2: External Factors. The judges aren't perfect—so how do you use that? We will simulate "bad calls" and restrictive judge positioning to teach you how to make your hits impossible to ignore and how to adapt your fencing to what the table is actually seeing.
Phase 3: Tactics. Stop thinking in exchanges and start thinking in matches. We will deconstruct rulesets to find the most efficient path to victory, calculating the "net value" of every action to build a custom bout plan that works for your style.
Gear at a Glance
Steel: Full tournament-grade kit required.
Lite Sparring: Boffers/foam swords available.
Roleplay: Be ready to fence and judge alike (or watch from the side).
Strategy: Bring a notebook for the tactical breakdown session.
Your Coach: Logan "Shark" Ray
Logan found HEMA 3.5 years ago where he discovered a level of personal fortitude and strength he never knew he possessed. Today, he shares that passion as a coach and competitive fencer.
From writing the beginner’s program at IFG to coaching high-level longsword, Logan specializes in the Germanic system of Liechtenauer. Known as "Shark" in the community, his teaching style is focused on empowering fencers to find their own strength in the fencing hall. He believes that every fencer—from the fresh beginner to the seasoned veteran—can find their focus through the study of the Zettel.
Pricing:
Members - 2 credits (Be sure to log into the website before you purchase. Credits will be deducted the day of the WS)
Non-Members $50
ONLY 12 spots available! Secure your tickets early.
Tickets
General Admission
$50.00
Total
$0.00
