Be Unpredictable

Being predictable can lose you more matches than win. If you continue to use the same technique because it's what you're comfortable with, you won't get anywhere. Break the barrier of comfort and use more feints, lunges, and counter parries. If you're opponent doesn't know what your next move will be, you'll have more a chance of getting the upper hand and winning. Or if you're aggressive enough, backing them off the end of the strip.

And don't forget to thrust. Keeping a bent arm means that you're tense or nervous. We all get nervous before a bout, so take a few deep breaths before beginning and jump in. If you know your opponent is more aggressive than you, try to take the upper hand and show even more aggression. It'll throw them off. :)