There is no "best". Everybody's strategy has some weaknesses and strengths. The new leader board has a lot to do with activity, so it doesn't really represent every great sparrer, since they might not be currently active.  

there is a best though, and it's the player who beats the consensus upper-tier sparrers most consistently
it's never hard to see who the best is, it only becomes unclear when people intentionally avoid and hide away from others

Player A beats Player B + Player B beats Player C doesn't automatically = Player A is better than Player C, don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand match-ups, but it becomes pretty obvious who the best is when there is enough people sparring and the sample size is big enough to where there are clearly dominant players

a singles tournament wouldn't necessarily prove it either, but it'd be one step closer than just talking about it  

Posted by Thallen

a singles tournament wouldn't necessarily prove it either, but it'd be one step closer than just talking about it

This has needed to happen for years, and has a lot of support from players  

A singles tournament could easily be coordinated by players them selves (using guildhouses) but would take planning and good contact (skype or some other form of communication) and it would need a few weeks notice prior to set it up and get everyone's interest.  

Surge, shut up.  

Posted by Doublelift8

Surge, shut up.

 

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608022809364401406&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0 (Unsupported image host) It's a number of factors, basically it's how you Finger... I finger well so I can hold a good session. Now, if you're a player who fingers well then your within that category! Another factor is Continuous Repetition. Basically, if you just keep fingering at a faster paste then the average player continuously. Last but not least, being Active if your one of those players that fingers actively, then your considered on this list!  

Posted by Leaf

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608022809364401406&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0 (Unsupported image host) It's a number of factors, basically it's how you finger... I finger well so I can hold a good session. Now, if your a player who fingers well then your within that category. Another factor is continuous repetition. basically, just keep fingering at a fast paste then the average person continuously. Last but not least, being Active if your one of those players that fingers actively, then your considered on this list!

Am I the only one who thought of this in a completely sexual way?

Do you mean tapping the sword button?  

Fingering is a normal thing in the spar community. I think slackers, and people who don't take spar serious would turn that into a joke.  

Mind explaining exactly what "fingering" is?  

What does it mean? I'm pretty sure you will find out when you spar.  

this thread lol  

fingering lmfao  

Yeah I've been an active sparrer for a while, never have I seen anyone use the term "fingering"  

Posted by Colin

Yeah I've been an active sparrer for a while, never have I seen anyone use the term "fingering"

All I see is you standing around the battle arena, not sure if that counts as being an "active sparrer".