When Is A Fencer Ready
For Competition?
There
is no correct time to start competing. If competing is fun, the fencer
is ready. The fencer's attitude is the most important factor. Competition is a great
teacher, but the fencer must be willing to both win and lose since they
are both parts of competing. Athletes who learn to accept losing as
non-ego events become big winners when they are more skilled and at the
levels where complete concentration is necessary.
Equipment is often the determining factor if a fencer can
compete. Once a fencer has all of his/her practice gear then he/she may start getting the competitive equipment. During practices many fencers want to use the electronic scoring equipment. It makes fencing more fun and simulates competitive bouting. This requires a minimum of competitive equipment. The Minnesota High School Fencing League, in which we
sponsor a team, requires more competitive equipment then when just bouting. The US Fencing
Association competitions require a full set of specific competitive
equipment. To help, the Minnesota Sword Club carries the type of competitive fencing equipment needed by a first or second year competitor.
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