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For Parents

Introduction

The sport of fencing is a uniquely classic sport. It has a history, drama, romance, style, art, plus all of the advantages of an active physically demanding sport. Mentally it is mind consuming, allowing not a moment’s break.

The Youth Program

The youth program of USA Fencing is designed to provide an introduction for your child to one of the most fascinating, exciting and safest sports. Fencing develops discipline, balance, coordination and sportsmanship. Fencing helps youth develop quicker reflexes and  the  ability  to make lighting fast analyses of tactical situations.

Bill of Rights for Young Athletes

We believe youth have the right to:

  • Be treated with dignity by all involved. 
  • Fence as a child and not as an adult. 
  • Fence regardless of skill level.
  • Fence at a level that is commensurate with each child’s development. 
  • Fence in a safe and healthy environment.
  • Have the proper preparation for fencing.
  • Have a qualified leadership for the sport of fencing. 
  • Have an equal opportunity to strive for success. 
  • Have fun fencing.

Your Role as a Parent

As a parent, your primary purpose is to support and encourage your child. Parents greatly contribute to the success experienced by their children as well as other children in the youth program. Parent’s attitudes are often adopted by their children, who consult from their advice and approval. Parents, be aware of this and strive to become positive role models. Most importantly, this includes showing good sportsmanship at all times and respecting coaches, officials and opponents.

Get your child to the club to train regularly. School obligations come first, so utilize school holidays for maximizing training opportunities. Training two months a year at a camp will yield very limited results. A consistent training curriculum is strongly encouraged.

It is important to let your child establish his/her own goals and play the game for himself/herself. Help your child establish and achieve the goals he sets for himself/herself. Avoid imposing your own goals or the coach’s goals on your child. “Success,” sometimes interpreted as “winning,” comes at different ages for each fencer. Success in youth fencing is achieved if the program helps the child love fencing. Great achievement will occur when the child loves the sport.

The best way to help your child achieve his goals and reduce his fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make mistakes. When your child makes one, remember that he/she is still learning. Encourage his/her efforts and highlight the successes and the things your child did well. Your child will have good days and bad ones. Help him/her through the bad days and celebrate the good days he/she is fortunate to have. Fencing is a continuous struggle to improve from first‐day beginner to Olympic Champion.

At fencing tournaments, take time to meet new people, visit different cities and see what they have to offer. Many lasting friendships have been formed between fierce competitors. Enjoy the full experience of competition by taking advantage of all the opportunities for growth.

What you will see at a fencing tournament

Fencing competes on a metal strip, or piste, which measures approximately two meters wide and 14 meters long. Points (or touches) scored in a bout are registered on an electronic scoring machine. The machine receives an electrical impulse when the spring tip of the foil or epee is depressed or, in saber when there is adequate contact with the opponent by the blade. The strip is grounded to prevent touches being accidentally scored on the playing surface.

In the preliminary rounds, each fencing bout is fenced for five touches, with a time limit of three minutes. In the later rounds, for all events except the youth events, each bout is fencing to a maximum of 15 touches. The bout is separated into three rounds of three minutes, with a one‐minute rest period between rounds. In the event that the score is tied when time has elapsed, the referee will randomly determine priority  (with  a  coin  toss  or  equivalent)  for  one  fencer.  Fencing  will  continue  for  one additional minute. The first touch to score ends the bout. If the score remains tied at the end of the additional minute, the fencer with priority will win. 

In Youth events, the later rounds are fenced best two out of three 5‐touch bouts, of three minutes each, with a one minute rest period between bouts. In the event of a tie score at the end of time, the bout will proceed as outlined above.

After the preliminary rounds, the fencers who are promoted will be seeded into a direct elimination table. In some formats, the winner advances, and the loser is out. In other formats, it requires two losses to be eliminated. In the format that is most common in National competition, the direct elimination continues until 32 fencers remain, and then, two losses are required to be eliminated.

Once your fencer is competing at a highly competitive level, these are the items which you can be expecting to have on hand: 

Following is a list of minimum required equipment. Make sure your child has the necessary equipment. Check weapons to make sure they are working before you leave for the tournament. Don’t go to any event with non‐working weapons. While it may seem compulsive, your child should check them again upon arrival; equipment can be affected by travel.

  • Mask (sewn‐in bib, must pass 12K punch test)
  • Underarm protector
  • Breast Protector (mandatory for women)
  • Jacket (no holes, must close in back or opposite weapon arm)
  • Lamé
  • Knickers (no holes, must close in the back or opposite weapon arm, must be overlapped by jacket by at least four inches. 
  • Glove (no holes except for body cord. Must cover approximately half the forearm)
  • Long socks (white, must reach bottom of your knickers‐soccer socks work well)
  • Fencing shoes or sneakers
  • Minimum two working weapons (epees must pass weight and shim test)
  • Y10 fencers must use weapons with blades that are no longer than 32.5 inches. This includes both genders, and all three weapons.
  • Minimum two working body cords
  • Fencing bag (to carry your equipment in)
  • Water Bottle
  • Towel and plastic bag to hold wet equipment
  • Tool Kit (screwdrivers for tip and pommel, spare screws, springs, Allen wrenches, small white cloth to use at base, small magnet, flashlight)
  • Test Box and weight and shims will help avoid penalties on the strip for non working equipment

Put identification on all of your equipment!!!! 

Washing Equipment

Wash as you would any other whites – do not use chlorine bleach. Lamés may be hung in the shower and spray rinsed and drip dry; some people use blow dryers. Masks may be washed in dishwashers (make sure to wash by itself). Washable gloves and socks per normal wash.