Age Groups for Instruction

Adults work in a style designed for mature individuals and follows our Progression Pattern System. The pace depends upon the individual and has no preset rate. Most adults fence for fun, recreation, health, or simply to socialize. Some enter competition for the additional challenge and excitement. Existing competitions are within the club, state, regional and national levels. Each adult has his/her own reason for fencing, but all fence because it's fun! Open bouting for experienced adult fencers is available anytime the club is open, except for the first 50 minutes of Youth and Teen classes. Scheduling is flexible since a member can attend when he/she wishes and as much as liked. The three weapons of the sport are taught and fencers are encouraged to try all three to find out which is their favorite.

Teens, ages 14 to 19 learn fencing quickly. Beginners are included with more advanced fencers immediately. By working with experienced kids their own age their development is speeded up. Blade technique, mobility, strategy, and bouting are taught. Teens advance through our Basic Series Progression but determine the long-term nature of their own program. It can be purely recreational, only educational or mainly competitive. The choice often changes over time, but it is up to each fencer to decide. Most teens like to compete and if skilled enough may participate on the club's high school competition team. Many of our teen fencers also compete in U.S. Fencing Association competitions on the state, region and national level and are often highly successful.

Preteens, ages 11 to 13 learn the concepts and strategies of fencing with an emphasis on either epee, sabre or foil. Form and strategy are taught in relation to the bouting situation. Skills develop rapidly and easily carry over to other sports. The program is based on a class situation with extra bouting time before and after class. The emphasis is on learning, but fun is an important ingredient of the training. New cadet fencers join children of their own age immediately. They are not expected to know the material of the experienced kids, but go through the same learning situations. The newer fencers develop quickly due to the help of their new friends. Cadets are free to choose which of the three weapons of fencing they wish to practice. They can change weapons each class or stay in one. All basics are taught in each weapon style, but changing tends to provide variety and enjoyment. Every six to nine weeks we provide in-house mini competitions for the fencers to test the skills they have been developing.

Youths ages 8 to 11 are taught the techniques and concepts of fencing with a strong emphasis on games. Strategy games, which carry over to all sports, are a major element of instruction. Body awareness develops quickly through fencing since the young fencer must become aware of both his/her own body, of how to manipulate the weapon and most of all how to relate to the opponent. The emphasis is on development and having fun while learning the sport.