The Orlando NAC starts this week

You're about to share a strip with fencers who travel the country, and sometimes the world, to compete at this level. The points matter. The bouts matter. And the atmosphere can make it easy to forget why you're there.

I've fenced in local tournament mode at big events. It's easy to do. You're relaxed, you're talking to people, you're taking in everything happening around you, and suddenly you're an inch too close and the bout is over before you've really settled in.

The level of focus required at a NAC is different. Not louder. Just tighter.

For me, that means getting on guard with no more than three things on my mind. What am I trying to do? What am I looking for? What's the one thing I need to remember if the bout starts going sideways?

Big events also put a lot of personalities in one room. You can be friendly. You should be. But you don't have to give everyone your attention when you need to dial in. If someone is pulling you into a conversation when you need to focus, it's okay to say so. Know what works for you and protect it.

And don't let the name on the other side of the strip change your approach. At the highest levels, you'll see experienced fencers treat every opponent seriously. They don't assume an easier bout will be easy. They show up ready because they know anybody can beat anybody.

Walk onto the strip like you know how you're going to score points on this person. They may not know you or what you're capable of. That's an advantage. Use it.

One action this week: Before your first bout, identify your three points of focus. Get on guard with those three things and nothing else.