Carballo’s Fencing Academy

Hours of sitting for online classes, computer games, or Netflix will inevitably make your body feel a little clumsier and out of shape. Well, fencing improves fitness and develops a number of skills. As you learn to move quickly on the fencing strip (2 x 14 meters) in specific positions and with different motions, you aim to outsmart your opponents and execute the actions before they even realize that you “fooled” them. Fencing makes you work hard physically, keeps you in shape, and improves your coordination, speed, agility and strength.

All actions in fencing require not only focus on your own position, but also the ability to read and anticipate actions and movements of your opponent. Fencing develops strategic thinking on the same level as chess or other logistical games. That is why the common nickname of fencing is “physical chess”. Fencing teaches the athlete to find the way in situations when it seems there is no way, and find the most effective ways to make the right decisions in a short period of time. These skills will help you succeed off the strip as well — in school, college, careers, family, life

Fencing is one of the safest sports in the world. Hard to believe, right? Fencers must wear protective gear, made of high-tech materials, including masks and gloves. Body contact is prohibited, and safe and proper protocols are taught from the start. Fencing is one of the sports with the lowest risk of injury — occasionally, there may be a few small bruises if someone hits too hard accidentally, but that is a big maybe!

Any size, any age, any gender, any ability — you can succeed in fencing! This sport is called “physical chess” for a reason. It’s all about using your unique traits to your advantage. Unlike sports like volleyball and basketball where height is an absolute game-changer, fencers primarily utilize their lateral movement, quickness, and precision. This means that shorter and taller people can both use strategy to score a touch on their opponents. Fencing is a demanding and safe sport that one can practice throughout a lifetime, which means that you may cross paths with fencers from ages 8 to 80 and learn from all different kinds of people throughout your fencing journey.

You can start fencing in tournaments at any age or skill/experience level. The competitive experience serves many purposes including.

*Changing the fencer’s perspective of the sport, and giving theman edge and a motivation to practice more and improve their skills.

*Meeting fencers from different clubs and regions across the country and around the world.

*Learning how to function and focus in a competitive enviroment.

Prior to competing we do recommend taking at the list one private lesson weekly, in order to build more confidence.

You can ask your coach , as well as check the following resources, where you can find and register for your tournament:

-Askfred.net (To find and register for tournaments).

-USA fencing regional events calendar.

-USA fening national events calendar.

Always check your tournament website or Askfred.net page for details.  Your competition checklist should include:

Equipment

  Mask

  Chest protector (Padded chest protector for competing in women’s foil)

  Jacket

  Knickers (fencing pants)

  Long (knee-high)   Changefencing socks

  Glove (FIE glove, if fencing saber)

  Lame (electrical jacket) for saber and foil

  Two functioning electrical weapons

  Two body cords

  Two mask cords for saber and foil

  Appropriate shoes (fencing shoes or other sneakers)

Also

  USA Fencing membership

  Proof of age for fencers under 18 year old and Veteran fencers over 39 years old

  Fencing tool kit (depending on your weapon)

  Water/water bottle

  Snacks (some venues may not have food available)

  Change of clothes to wear after fencing

  Warm-up jacket

  Entrance fee (check with the organizer to confirm how payments will be made)

  Most importantly, your smile and GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

*Here is a site that can help you track your results during and after the tournament: Fencing Time Live 

USA Fencing ratings are a measure of fencing skill level.  The ratings range from U (unrated), to E, D, C, B, and A (highest level).  Fencers will have a separate rating for each weapon they competitively fence with.  Each rating will also have a year attached to it: the year that the rating was earned.  Four years after a rating is earned, it downgrades if not re-earned in subsequent competitions (ex: a C17 would downgrade to a D21 in 2021).  Although ratings are not the ONLY measure of a fencers skill level, they are important because they help to seed (rank) fencers in tournaments.  Ratings are earned by competing in USA Fencing-sanctioned events.  For a more in-depth analysis of how the process works, Academy of Fencing Masters has a great webpage.

Within a fencing tournament, you will see that there are «events» which divide the tournament into separate competitions, for example «Y12 mixed saber» or «veteran’s women’s foil.»  These titles delineate how a fencer qualifies to compete in a given event, based on age and sex.  In order to find out which events you qualify to fence in, you can refer to USA Fencing’s website, here.  Make sure to check it at the start of each fencing season, as your eligibility will change, as you get older.