At March NAC I was standing near one of our students when I overheard a conversation between two fencing parents who discussed a child of one of these two parents when he was disconnecting from a reel after a devastating 0:5 bout. His mother was lamenting that her...
One of the most difficult tasks of a fencing parent is to comfort their child after losing. We all have been there more times than we ever wanted to be. Fencing is a sport where you lose more than you win. Much more. Ask any Olympic Champion and they will tell you...
There's a phenomenon I've observed time and again in our fencing community – one that rarely gets discussed openly but affects many young fencers. I call it "the early rating trap." Picture this: A 13-year-old fencer – let's call her Stella – bursts onto the scene...
It happened during a seemingly ordinary practice session. I overheard a conversation between one of our teenage fencers and their coach. They weren't discussing technique or competition strategy – they were talking about school troubles, friend dynamics, and the...
One of the most common misconceptions I encounter when working with new fencing families is the belief that athletic development follows the same rules as academic preparation. Parents and young fencers often approach training with a mindset carried over from their...
As we approach 2025, parents are constantly searching for activities that will truly enrich their children's lives. Fencing stands out as an exceptional choice that offers unique benefits you simply won't find in other sports. Here are the top 25 reasons to get your...
Parents have a huge vested interest in their children's success. After all, this is most parents' life mission - to prepare children for life and help them become successful. We try hard in every possible aspect of life - from studies to extracurricular activities,...
One of the most famous mountains in the United States is Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado. At 7400 feet of climbing to take you a total of 14,000 feet above sea level, getting to the top is the equivalent of a half marathon at 13.5 miles, though that...
As a fencing coach and parent, I've encountered countless situations where parents find themselves caught in what I call the "Chicken-and-Egg Dilemma" of fencing development. It's a frustrating cycle that often leaves both parents and young fencers feeling stuck,...
When it comes to fencing, hope and expectations play huge roles, just like they do in our everyday lives. And as with most endeavors in our personal lives, and of course, when it comes to our fencing children, how should we balance hope with expectations? If things go...
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