I am very indebted to the work of Maitré Ziemowit Wojciechowski and his book Theory, Methods, and Exercises in Fencing ². In it he identifies four different types of fencers and the tactics needed to fence them. These fencers are:

• Permanently Pressing. These fencers will use false actions that turn into real attacks. They often try to attack faster and harder rather than switch to a different attack. Wojciechowski recommends that the fencer use line to break up the momentum of the opponent, and threaten the opponent with counter-attacks when appropriate. On the attack, use the Permanently Pressing fencer's own medicine against them, with many false attacks to keep the fencer off balance. Finally, move in close and then suddenly break distance when the opponent tries to start an attack. This leaves the opponent never quite sure when their attack should develop. The heart of the defense against a Permanently Pressing fencer is to shut down the start of the opponent's attack. This can also be done with simultaneous actions by the student, forcing the opponent to finish strong and faster in the next attacks. This should make it easier to do a parry and riposte in a subsequent action.
  
  
• Maneuvering-Attacking. This fencer scores by many different variety of attacks. If one attack does not work, they will move to a different attack. These fencers will defend only when necessary. As a result, they use the entire strip, retreating in the face of strong actions and retaking the ground back on their own attacks. Because they switch from one attack to another quickly, they can overwhelm the defense of the opponent. Wojciechowski recommends fencing the Manevuring-Attacking fencer at the end of his or her strip, forcing them to defend. He also recommends counter-time actions and mixing simple attacks with broken-time attacks. Again, as in the Permanently Pressing fencer, the goal is to keep the attack from developing.
  
  
• Maneuvering-Defending. This fencer is the most difficult opponent. They have strong technical skills and will carefully prepare to set traps for the opponent either on attack or on defense, since they can move from one to the other with great ease. Wojciechowski's best advice was to show the opponent your favorite stroke, and then plan on it being stopped by this fencer, with a second intention action planned before hand. He also recommends essentially fencing using "unorthodox" methods. Maitré Ziemowit Wojciechowski also recommends not trying to engage in a great deal of blade play with this fencer and to constantly vary the timing and rhythm of actions against them.
  
  
• Permanently Defending. This style is exactly as it sounds, with the fencer scoring from counter-attacks and ripostes. The Permanently Defending fencer relies on drawing the opponent out to pre-determined targets and stopping the attack. Wojciechowski recommends pushing this fencer to the end of the strip to reduce their ability to set up actions for themselves. The student should attempt to draw the attack (or counter-attack/attack on the preparation) from the opponent and score with parry riposte - essentially a counter-time action. If the student is able to make several different actions score, the distance might become so favorable that a simple, direct action will surprise this opponent, which is what Maitré Ziemowit Wojciechowski recommends.