October is here, and with it is coming the start of regional fencing competitions for the first time since the pandemic swept across the country more than a half a year ago. You can only compete in your specific region right now, not as before when fencers could...
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7 Ways to Help Kids Balance Sports and Academics in the Time of COVID
There has always been a careful balance between school and sports, but now the facets of this challenge have changed completely. Not only is school and sport totally different than it has been before, there is also the added struggle of navigating a crisis. Everyone...
It’s Time to be Blunt About Kids Being at Home
Everyone has big feelings about school starting in the fall. Kids. Parents. Teachers. Should it start online? In person? A hybrid? What about the spring? What about sports? What about after school activities? What about learning? What about socialization? What about...
Mask during exercise – Right or Wrong?
There are many people asking the important question of whether to mask during exercise or not. It’s a valid question, because once again we are in uncharted territory in this new era of coronavirus. There are articles and advice on the subject all over the internet....
Guide to In-Person, Social Distanced Fencing Training
Things are starting to open back up from the long shutdown to in-person activities, but only a little bit and very cautiously. Make no mistake - the coronavirus is not gone. It is very much still here. In fact, the numbers are not great for anyone who is looking at...
A Comprehensive Guide to Cleaning Fencing Gear in the Time of COVID-19
We’ve written a lot about cleaning fencing gear over the years. In normal use, gear gets all kinds of stuff on it. Sweat, tears, more sweat, bits of fluff from the floor of the club, more sweat, etc. Fencing is a hugely physical sport, which means there are all of the...
AFM Safe Shield – Returning to Training Guidelines & Plan
The "AFM Safe Shield" Returning to Training Guidelines are based on CDC health considerations and tools for operating during COVID-19, California schools’ guidelines, CDC Considerations for Youth Sports and Summer Camps, and Santa Clara County’s Public Health...
Maximizing Online Fencing Training Part 2 – A Guide for Fencers and Fencing Parents
Screen time has become fencing time in the bold new world of coronavirus with online fencing training. It’s a time that is unusual and challenging, but it’s one that we know we can get through if we work together and stay positive. Fencing is a sport that is...
How to make a ball on a string (for fencing drills) in four easy steps
By Imme Kaschner Hi Igor & Team Thank you for your inspiring work! We (my 10 year old daughter and I) are members at VRI Fencing, Melbourne, Australia (the club focuses on mainly on epee). We had our first online session for the junior squad today. Life in...
Fencing Training in a Pandemic – How Fencers Can Keep in Shape
Right now, we’re seeing a major global outbreak of a virus that’s pushing everything to its limits. From large events to universities, the entire globe is being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and the fencing training wasn't skipped in this neither. This isn’t...