Starting fencing as an adult or even as a senior citizen opens up a world of possibilities, but it also comes with its own set of considerations. While this blog primarily focuses on youth fencing and parenting topics, recent requests from adult and senior fencers...
Academy of Fencing Masters Blog
Art of Fencing, Art of Life
Coaching
Confidence in Fencing
Confidence in fencing is like that elusive goalpost in a game you're always chasing after but never quite reach. It's the magic ingredient that transforms a good fencer into a great one. You've probably heard fencing coaches shouting it from the sidelines like a...
Mastering Patience in Fencing
As a fencer, you're no stranger to the challenges and rewards of this exhilarating sport. However, there's a universal truth that resonates deeply with fencers: it's the importance of mastering patience in our journey toward success. In competitive fencing, everything...
Your Coach Might Be Wrong – But It’s Your Responsibility
In a recent scenario at the November NAC in Fort Worth, a fencer faced a challenging bout, losing to an opponent who seemed, at least on par in skill. When asked about the opponent's scoring actions, the reply was, "in attack." Further inquiry revealed that the...
Perpetual Goal
I've spent countless hours pondering the concept of setting and achieving goals, both in fencing and life in general. I've had conversations with fencers, parents, coaches, and enthusiasts about their aspirations. I've written about goal setting quite a lot on this...
How Fencers Can Combat Fuzzy Focus During Bouts
Ever had those moments when you just can’t focus? Your brain becomes fuzzy and you can’t quite concentrate on what you’re doing, leaving you frustrated and unable to do the things you want to do in the ways that you want to do them. Fencing is a sport that demands...
12 Ways You Can Improve Your Fencing Skills Right Now
There are no quick fixes in life, and mastering fencing takes a lifetime. However, there are absolutely things that you can do right now to improve your fencing, and they aren’t all that difficult nor do they all take that long. Here are a dozen quick ways that you...
Out of Control – How to Teach Young Fencers to Control Their Emotions in Loss
Fencing, like any competitive sport, is a rollercoaster of emotions. Victories can elate fencers, filling them with a sense of accomplishment and pride. However, on the flip side, defeat can be a bitter pill to swallow, especially for young athletes who may struggle...
Elitism in an Elite Sport: Strategies to Avoid Creating Entitled Fencers
There’s a high level of skill, dedication, and commitment that goes along with fencing. We are part of an Olympic sport that has a strong, proud history. While it’s great for us to pursue excellence, and we definitely encourage everyone to try to be the best they...
Strategies to Help Youth Fencers Learn to Trust Their Skills
Building trust in your skills is a crucial skill for young fencers to learn to perform their best. Often, we see kids who come to class, work hard, enjoy the sport, but then they struggle to believe that they can do it in competition. This can be truly challenging...