Real fencing questions, straight answers
The questions fencers and fencing parents actually ask, on forums, in club lobbies, on the drive home, answered directly, with the reasoning. No fluff, answer first. 73 and growing.
Getting started
What age can kids start fencing?
Foil, épée or sabre, which should we pick?
How do I find a fencing club near me?
Do I need to be fit or athletic to start fencing?
What should we wear and bring to a first class?
Is fencing a good workout?
How many calories does fencing burn?
How do I fence on my period without worrying about leaking through white fencing pants?
Can I fence if I'm overweight or out of shape, or should I lose weight first?
Why do some people say beginners shouldn't start with épée? Is that true?
I'm a few weeks or months in and I'm terrible and totally confused. Should I quit?
Parents
Is it normal to come home with bruises?
My kid is small for their age, will they get hurt fencing bigger kids?
How do I switch clubs without burning bridges?
Would fencing work for my ADHD / autistic / anxious kid?
How much does fencing cost?
Is fencing safe?
My kid fences great in practice but falls apart at tournaments. What can I do as a parent?
My kid is being bullied at the fencing club. What should we do?
How do fencing families handle missing school for tournaments?
Should my teen choose a college for fencing or for academics? And what if the schools they want don't have a fencing team?
My child was crying during sparring because it hurt and he felt overwhelmed, and the coach told him to keep going. What should I do?
Training
How many classes a week should a beginner take?
When are private lessons worth it?
Is 14 (or 16, or 25) too late to start if I want to be competitive?
My club has done nothing but footwork for weeks, is this normal?
How long does it take to get good at fencing?
Can adults compete in fencing?
I've been fencing for a while and I've stopped improving. How do I break out of a plateau?
My knees hurt from lunging. What exercises help, and how much training is too much?
I fenced years ago and want to come back. What should I expect, and will my old gear still pass?
I'm new and I hit someone way too hard. How do I stop getting too close and hurting people?
Can I pick up a second weapon, like sabre after foil, without wrecking my main one?
My coach just walks up and down the strip giving me cues to hit. Is that really all a private lesson is?
How should I film and review video of my own bouts so it actually helps?
Does height matter in fencing, and which weapon is best if you're short?
I get so hot in my fencing gear. How do I stay cool, and when is overheating dangerous?
Can you fence seriously while working full time and only training two or three times a week?
Rules & refereeing
Both fencers hit, why did the other one get the point?
The referee said my attack was 'preparation', what does that mean?
What do the yellow, red and black cards mean?
Can my opponent kick my blade away, block with their other hand, or bump into me? What's actually illegal on the strip?
If my weapon fails the test after a touch, does the touch get annulled? And what happens if someone gets hurt in the middle of a bout?
Why do sabre fencers hop and bounce forward instead of just advancing like foilists do?
Do you really have to salute before every bout, shake hands after, and ask before taking your mask off?
How do you become a fencing referee, and can teenagers do it?
Gear
Can you fence with glasses? Mine fog up under the mask.
Do I need expensive FIE-rated gear, or is 350N fine?
How often do blades break, and what does it cost to keep up?
Pistol grip or French grip, and when should I switch?
Is used fencing gear safe to buy?
What equipment do we need to start?
Do I need real fencing shoes? My heels and ankles hurt after lunging in running shoes.
Is my fencing mask still safe, and will it pass inspection? The paint is chipping and part of the mesh looks bent.
Can fencing whites go in the dryer? And how do I get grease out and stop them going stiff?
I'm buying my first own foil or épée. What actually matters?
Do I need a chest protector or a groin guard? And what can I wear so my upper arm stops getting bruised?
Is a lacrosse or hockey bag OK for fencing gear, and how do I fly with my weapons?
What does it mean to cant or set a blade, and should I file the nicks and burrs off mine?
What's a good budget scoring machine setup for a small school club that doesn't have a permanent space?
Besides the mask, what gear gets rejected at a tournament? Gloves with holes, grip tape, patches, inspection stamps?
What do you wear under fencing knickers, and how do you keep long hair and bangs out of the way?
Competing
How do I stop being so nervous before tournaments?
How long before I'm ready for my first competition?
My opponent screams after every touch, is that allowed?
What are fencing ratings (A, B, C…)?
How do you actually get to the Olympics in fencing?
Do colleges give fencing scholarships?
How do I fence someone way taller with a huge reach? I can't get close without getting hit.
What should I eat and drink on tournament day to keep my energy up, and are energy drinks or pre-workout allowed?
Is Summer Nationals worth going to if I'm not in contention for a medal?
How do I handle an opponent who loses it at me, and what if I'm the one who keeps arguing with referees?
Is it a big disadvantage to fence a tournament without a coach there with me?
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