Fencing Journal: A How-to Guide

On May 12, 2016

The best things in life generally require a great deal of planning.

Using an athlete’s journal is a powerful way for fencer’s to improve their fencing. Truly, really, the usefulness of this tool is difficult to overestimate. We’ve written previously about the amazing benefits of using a fencing journal, which to summarize are as follows:

Celebrate your progress
Take an analytical look at your fencing skills so you can improve
Track your opponents
Track your competition performance
Set goals and make plans to achieve them
Make note of connections with teammates, coaches, parents, etc.
Reflect on your fencing journey

All of that sounds really great, but thinking about those blank pages staring up at you can be enough to have many of us just close the book again and keep on going as we have been. To help you out, we’ve created this guide to get you going with your fencing journal, because it’s something that we really do believe will benefit fencers.

How to journal for fencing

Relaxation Techniques for Competitive Fencers

By Igor Chirashnya

On May 10, 2016

In For Parents, Spirit

We always talk about getting “psyched up” for competition – but what if getting “psyched down” is really what we need to be doing?

Fencing in competition is complicated stuff. There’s so much to it, so many things to think about all at once from your stance to the referee to the slew of people watching each match. Add to that the fact that most competitive fencers find themselves traveling significantly during the competition season, because travel in and of itself can be stressful and complicated. The problem is that fencing is best done when the mind is clear and focused, and the body is loose and relaxed.

Just as a fencer must learn techniques like how to thrust and parry in order to win, so too should they learn how to take control of their stress level during competitions and even during the sometimes stressful practice sessions that lead up to competition. Having some simple but effective relaxation techniques in your toolkit will really help!

5 Simple Relaxation Techniques for Fencers

Why Fencing Moms are the BEST

By Irina Chirashnya

On May 5, 2016

In Spirit

It’s nearly Mother’s Day, a day to celebrate and honor those strong and powerful women who guide us through life. Mom’s are truly something special.

Some would say that fencing moms are extraordinary, even for moms, and here are just some of the reasons why.

● Professional Level Driving Skills

Uber really should send all of its drivers out to take lessons from fencing moms – who are at once timely, courteous and can find their way around literally any city. People talk about soccer moms and hockey moms, but these folks have obviously never seen fencing moms in action. These incredible women will drive you to competitions on time, carry those heavy bags and remind you to sleep on the way back. They don’t need to check their GPS constantly because they researched the best route the night before, and they have a mystical knowledge of the best hours to drive in order to have the least traffic, with internal shortcuts that would make a cabbie blush. And of course they can park any size vehicle that’s full of swords in a tiny spot with no problem.

Thank you fencing moms, for keeping us safe and timely on the road.

● Quick Learners

10 Reasons to start fencing in the summer camp

By Irina Chirashnya

On May 3, 2016

In Mosaic

What’s the best way to get started in fencing? Well there are tons of ways, but fencing summer camp sure is one of the best! Why? Here are ten wonderful reasons!

1. Get over the nerves

Starting out in anything can be a bit nerve wracking, but fencing is all the more so because it does involve a weapon. This is especially true for those who are really nervous about getting started – camp allows them to become completely immersed in the sport and to truly let go of any inhibitions.

Art of Fencing, Art of Life

Month: May 2016

Fencing Journal: A How-to Guide

How to journal for fencing

Relaxation Techniques for Competitive Fencers

5 Simple Relaxation Techniques for Fencers

Why Fencing Moms are the BEST

● Professional Level Driving Skills

● Quick Learners

10 Reasons to start fencing in the summer camp

1. Get over the nerves