Looking for some great advice about navigating fencing competitions? There is so much to the process of competing as a fencer - from regulations and preparation to how to deal with unexpected challenges that happen during a fencing bout. Here are seventeen of AFM’s...
“Hey, can I borrow your extra fencing glove for practice today?” This was the question of another child to mine, overheard at the club recently. My son didn’t think twice about loaning his extra glove to his classmate. As a fencing mom, I know that the stickiest item...
Understanding fencing scoring is so essential to becoming successful as a competitor. Fencers are required to sign their scoresheets as soon as they have completed their bouts, but most often novice fencers just sign without thinking, assuming that the judges and...
What do you do when your child wants the really expensive fencing gear? Today I’ll start with the tale of my son. For more than two years he’s been asking for a Leon Paul mask; this shiny-all-american-flag-champion-like mask. He started asking me about it when he was...
Sometimes it’s hard to know what kids are really getting out of the activities that they participate in. Though we as parents and coaches may know all of the benefits of fencing, the real question doesn’t have anything at all to do with what we think kids should be...
This week we celebrate Veterans Day - a time to honor living veterans and to thank them for their service to our country. In that spirit, we would like to take a moment to thank all of the men and women who have given of themselves in service to their country. Thank...
Twenty-three tips for parents to get the most out of fencing and foster a positive relationship with fencing for their child: Give them unconditional love. Support their coaches. Don’t do everything for your child - allow them to stand on their own, successfully or...
So many times people think that fencing is just about hitting each other with swords - it’s really and truly not. In order to be of real help and use to children in terms of their long growth and development, it’s essential that you find a fencing club with...
