先せんの先せん

expression, noun

striking just before the opponent's move

Martial arts term for a preemptive strike timed to land just as the opponent initiates an attack. Often contrasted with 後の先 (go no sen) and 先々の先 (sensen no sen).

• 剣けん道どうでは、先せんの先せんを取とることが重じゅう要ようだ。

  In kendo, it is important to seize the initiative by striking just before the opponent moves.

• 彼かれは先せんの先せんのタイミングで見み事ごとな一いっ本ぽんを決きめた。

  He scored a brilliant point with a strike timed just before his opponent's attack.