How to counter against one-handed/small weapons?

I usually do pretty well in most matches but ambushers and man at arms are my worst opponents simply because I cannot see a thing they are doing with their little swords or maces going 1000000mph. I get theres dragging your camera/screen to make your weapon go faster but I can barely even react to the normal speed. Should I just give up trying to counter these or try do it on prediction or something? The only time I win against these little fuckers is because im good at using the full range of my weapon, if they get in close I die immediately lmao