Tag: Competitions Page 1 of 3

5 Ways to Save Memories and Savor Fencing Summer Nationals It’s here! After a whole year of preparation, a long hard season that’s pushed everyone to their limit, and an incredible amount of personal growth and diligent planning, Fencing Summer Nationals are finally here.

We sincerely hope that you’re reading this blog on your smartphone as you’re sitting in the audience between matches, or at the hotel as you unwind after a long day of competition. Or at the very least from the comfort of your own home if you didn’t make it out to Salt Lake City this year, as you follow your favorite fencers.

These giant events come and go, and we’re often so focused on getting through them that we don’t stop and think about how to savor and save them. In the fast-paced world of social media, the events of Fencing Summer Nationals are communicated out across the world in moments.

But you can save memories and savor Fencing Summer Nationals with these five awesome strategies!

9 Tips on How to Fence a Taller Fencer

By Igor Chirashnya

On May 16, 2017

In Mosaic

9 Tips on How to Fence a Taller Fencer

The age categories in fencing generally mean that you’ll be fencing someone who is about the same height as you are – generally speaking. However it’s not uncommon to come across a fencer who is much taller than you are, and that can pose its own unique set of challenges. To take on a fencer who towers over you, you need to rethink your strategies.

Kids especially can benefit from learning how to fence against opponents who are much taller than they are, as growth spurts can mean that there’s a foot difference in two fencers who are within just a year or two in age, and even for between the kids of the same age. Also, young fencers can be easily intimidated by the prospect of fencing against much taller opponent, and unclear what they should do in this case.

Here are nine tips for how to fence a taller fencer.

Non-Combativity in Fencing: The Reasons and The Rules

By Igor Chirashnya

On November 8, 2016

In Rules and Regulations

Non-Combativity-in-Fencing-The-Reasons-and-The-Rules In the recent Arizona SYC, I witnessed a situation when in a pool bout an inexperienced referee called “HALT” and moved the bout to 1 minute due to non-combativity. Of course both coaches jumped in and explained the rule to the referee, who needed to verify with the head ref the nuances of it.

And of course, if even some referees are confused about the rule, what should we expect from the novice fencers that oftentimes have never even heard about the term “non-combativity” prior to their first competition and their referee’s call?

An easy to understand explanation of non-combativity

Understanding Fencing Team Competition

By Irina Chirashnya

On October 27, 2016

In For Parents

To the novice fencer, competition can be overwhelming. Besides there being three different weapons, each with their own unique rules and conventions, there are also two different formats to the competition – team and individual. I bet that the first image when many novice people heard about fencing team competition was that it involved five fencers all fighting each other Avengers style, Iron Man and his crew versus Captain America and his team with everyone trying to get points all at once. And while it might sound really fun to have a large group of fencers all whipping their way to the winning point, in reality team competition still involves one-on-one fights between fencers. Sorry guys, no melee here.

So then what is the difference between individual and team competition? How does it all work? It’s actually not that complicated at all! Do keep in mind that these same structures are present no matter what the weapon is, though there are some few variations along the way which we will explain. Also keep in mind that every competition is slightly different, so this is really meant to be a general guideline that will help you to make sense of it all.

School Absences and Fencing Competitions – How to Work the System

By Igor Chirashnya

On September 27, 2016

In For Parents

When your child starts competing on the regional or national level, school absences are almost inevitable. National level tournaments (NAC’s and Championships) run Friday thru Monday, and regional level tournaments, such as RYC’s, SYC’s, RJCC’s and ROC’s also often take at least one or even two school days. Add to this an additional day required for travel (especially when coming from the west coast to the east) your child’s miss school days start to quickly add up.

Schools aren’t happy about that.

Understanding the School’s Perspective