So I thought I should explain what this Neutral Point Position thing is

Basically, I've changed two things:
1. Where my point is:
I used to keep it a bit higher than my hand, and pointed straight down the outside line of my body. (High and outside = guarding 6, but only slightly higher than my bell.) Now I'm keeping my hand down (level with the ground), and placing my point inside, toward my opponent's bell. Note that my hand is still out along the outside of my body, not in the middle of my body.

Placing my point just off their guard has gotten me a few "free" touches, wherein my opponent has simply run their hand into my point as they try to take my blade. Also, having my blade angle this way has helped me slip off of people's binds, at least as they're initiating them. I still have times when I am placing myself onto a bind, but that's not a flaw of this system, it's a recognition thing on my part.

2. What I'm doing with my feet:
Placing my point where it is forces me to really concentrate on distance, and to work for touches using my feet (and very little bladework).

So, I'm trying to do a lot more First Intention from this position, and it seems to be working somewhat. When it's not, I tend to start thinking about second intention as a fallback strategy, which is not what I should be working on in practice. On the other hand, I don't want to just forget about second intention altogether.

So far, so good. When it's working, I feel very comfortable, and in control of the whole bout. Plus, Jason has noticed a flaw. So far, when it's not been working, I think it's because I've not been patient enough. I'm still working things out, though.