Academy of Fencing Masters Blog

Fencing as a Youth Sport - 13 Mind Blowing Facts

Fencing doesn’t just happen in isolation, it’s part of the wider world of youth sports. There are millions of kids under the age of eighteen that participate in youth sports in the United States. There is a culture around kids competing that we fencers participate in, whether we are aware of it or not. Trends in youth sports affect us!

It’s worth exploring the trends in youth sports so as to give us a better understanding of where fencing is and where it’s going. So here are thirteen mind blowing facts about youth sports in general and fencing in particular to help you get the big picture.

*Facts and figures come from ESPN, USA Today, Time, and Sports Illustrated

How Fencing Breaks Down Cultural Barriers

By Igor Chirashnya

On April 16, 2019

In Spirit

How Fencing Breaks Down Cultural Barriers

Though fencers are at opposite ends of swords pointed at one another, they aren’t building opposition but connection. Sport in general offers us the chance to connect with one another, but fencing is something truly special. That’s thanks not only to the way that fencers interact with one another, but also with the way that fencing is structured in its competitive aspect.

Sports is the common denominator in the world that brings everyone together. If there’s any one place in the world where there is equality, it is probably sports. That was something that didn’t always exist. We’ve come a long way in sports. Why can’t society use sports as a way to bring people together and create change? – Stephen M. Ross

Fencing gives us the chance to break down cultural barriers.

Road to Tokyo – Qualification Path for Fencing to Tokyo Olympic Games 2020

By Igor Chirashnya

On April 9, 2019

In Rules and Regulations

Road to Tokyo - Qualification Path for Fencing to Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 The road to Tokyo starts here, April 2019.

People, even people within an Olympic sport, often wonder how exactly one makes it to the Olympic Games. This only happens once every four years, and between the years there are always changes that happen. In between, it can be hard to keep track of what’s what and how things are going to go.

This time around there are some critical changes that potentially have an effect on who will make the cut. If you’re new to following Olympic fencing qualification, then here we’re going to spell it out for you. If you’re not, then read on to find out the new changes.

Fencing Mindset – Afraid to Lose or Want to Win?

By Igor Chirashnya

On April 3, 2019

In Coaching, For Parents

Fencing Mindset - Afraid to Lose or Want to Win? Perspective is everything.

How a fencer thinks about fencing has a massive effect on how they perform. Two fencers who have the same amount of talent and skill can do dramatically differently in competition depending on how they think about it. It’s not only how many hours you put in in practice or what kind of equipment – how you frame your thinking about competition is equally as important.

On the other side of every fencing match are two options for the fencer:

A win.
A loss.

Are you driven to win or afraid to lose? While it might seem that both lines of thinking lead to the same end, that’s not entirely true. Which one you put the emphasis on changes how you feel, how you think, and how you fence. There is a huge difference between the two! One mindset is great for achievement, the other is terrible. How you approach the challenges and demands of fencing is critically important.

Which is which? Let’s talk about that.

Smart Device to Help Fencers to Combat New Unwillingness to Fight Rule in Fencing

By Igor Chirashnya

On April 1, 2019

In Mosaic

Smart Device to Help Fencers to Combat New Unwillingness to Fight Rule in Fencing The new unwillingness to fight rule in fencing has created a lot of confusion among fencers, even veteran fencers. It’s something everyone has been talking about since it went into effect earlier this year, and we’re always working to find new solutions for fencers who need to address problems like this one.

With this new rule, fencers must constantly be aware of the clock. With this new rule, if you don’t keep track of how much time has gone by then you might be in for a rough surprise in the form of a p-card! That’s hard to do in the middle of a fight when you’re also worried about your opponent getting a point against you! Even when the scoring apparatus has a timer, it’s hard to keep track of how much time has elapsed since the last touch. That problem gets even worse for a fencer in the middle of a fight when there is no timer on the scoring machine, with the ref using his or her own timer or their smartphone to direct the bout.

A lot of fencers have gotten caught getting a significant number of p-cards, including p-red and p-black cards as a result of these simple confusions.

Is there no way to better manage this problem? Surely there must be some answer to save us from the terrible fate of getting carded in a bout for something so simple and easy to track as the time?

We’re glad you asked.

Art of Fencing, Art of Life

Page 2 of 92

Fencing as a Youth Sport – 13 Mind Blowing Facts

How Fencing Breaks Down Cultural Barriers

Road to Tokyo – Qualification Path for Fencing to Tokyo Olympic Games 2020

Fencing Mindset – Afraid to Lose or Want to Win?

Smart Device to Help Fencers to Combat New Unwillingness to Fight Rule in Fencing

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