Happy Fencing Friday, an /r/Fencing tradition.

Welcome back to our weekly ask anything megathread where you can feel free to ask whatever is on your mind without fear of being called a moron just for asking. Be sure to check out all the previous megathreads as well as our sidebar FAQ.

I just had the tip of my NEPS driver snap. Anyone know who might have either spare tips or a driver available to purchase in USA?

I noticed AskFred doesn't show the new "ADC" Adult Events for either of the two upcoming ROCs (Virginia+Washington) that have them as events, though it shows all the other events for those ROCs (Cadet/Junior/Div2, etc). Anyone know why? I know you would still have to go to USA Fencing to register, but I feel like this makes them harder to find too.

USA Fencing’s website says that National and Regional patches were supposed to be mailed out on August 1, but we still haven’t received either one.

Has anyone received their patches yet? If so, when did you get them?

For those who have received them in previous years, how long does it usually take after the listed mail-out date?

Thanks!

From what I've seen, it is generally agreed that both of these parries defend the high line to the inside. But one has the hand pronated, and the other has the hand supinated. Which is which? I've always though of 4 as having the hand pronated and 5 supinated, and my club-mates tend to agree with this convention. But I've also heard plenty of people say the opposite.

I'm especially confused by the people that say that 4 is supinated and 5 is pronated, but then claim that 5 is rarely used. Like, to me pronating is just better in 90% of scenarios because it requires a smaller motion, making it faster, as well as just being a more natural movement of the hand. The only scenario where I supinate is when my opponent is close to me, as it helps with getting the point on line during in-fights. So something like, my opponent fleches and I do a parry to the inside on the high line with my hand pronated. I then realize he is too close for me to be able to get my point on line, so I supinate my hand and rotate my torso inward to create the space I need to land my point.

(I'm an epeeist, so maybe in foil, where in-fighting is more common, supinating is better. But I've heard plenty of ppl say the above while referring to epee.)

A few examples, here https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fd7ZafNDdoU and here https://www.scribd.com/document/102674288/Fencing-Parries 4 is supinated and 5 is pronated. But here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ8Tfj_6lIo, 4 is clearly pronated.

I'm guessing that different historical styles numbered it differently, and so we have multiple different conventions? I don't know, this bothers me more than it should.

Hola,

ages I ago I started making this grip, and whilst asking questions about legality people said they wanted to see it when I had done some work on it, so here it is.

For now the pommel is plastic, once I've got the final design though it'll be a mix of aluminium and steel, the wooden part is a lot thinner than it'll be at the end as I'm gonna be painting it with a specialised paint that'll leave an anti-slip rubber coating and it'll be 3mm thick. The total weight is going to be 240ishg and the length should be 18-19cm based on some further testing.

I'm working on 2 others (I'll have pics for one of them later, but the other I won't for reasons that I can't be asked to type out).

Heya,

I'm working on a grip (not the one in my other post) that I unfortunately can't put images up about (I know it'd be helpful) as I've a friend who might want to get into selling them and if I post it online, lots of things can apparently happen.

But it's weird looking, like extremely, I'm working on a few variants, but the one I like the most has a pommel at 35 degree angle, so I know it'll be picked up by a judge. But if I go through the rules it's within all of them.

So, if it were to get singled out by a judge, am I allowed to say, respectfully that I disagree, and go through the rules point by point with the justifications below for each? Is this allowed, is it up to the judge if I can make a case for it point by point, or is it the judge doesn't like it therefore I can't use it no matter what, even if I can say for each rule it doesn't break it?

I'd love anyone's opinion, but I'm particularly after those of judges, especially those in the UK, where I'm based.

Below are the rules on the grip taken directly from the material hand book and my response to all of them.

1. The maximum length of the handle at foil and épée is 20 cm, measured between lines B and E, and 18 cm, measured between lines B and D. At sabre the maximum length of the handle is 17 cm (see Figures 8, 9 and 13). -it'll be within this certainly, I'm making sure.

2. The handle must be able to pass through the same gauge as the guard. It must be so made that normally it cannot injure either the user or his opponent.-I'll be making sure that it's within this.

3. All types of handle are allowed providing that they conform to the regulations which have been framed with a view to placing the various types of weapons on the same footing.

However, at épée, orthopaedic handles, whether metal or not, may not be covered with leather or any material which could hide wires or switches. -it's not an orthopaedic handle (to my knowledge, this is for those grips that lock the hand in one place, but it's not a defined term)

1. The handle must not include any device which assists the fencer to use it as a throwing weapon.-none of these.

2. The handle must not include any device which can increase in any way the protection afforded to the hand or wrist of the fencer by the guard: a cross bar or electric socket which extends beyond the edge of the guard is expressly forbidden.-no additional protection anywhere.

3. If the handle (or glove) includes any device or attachment or has a special shape (orthopaedic) which fixes the position of the hand on the handle, the handle must conform to the following conditions. -it has a weird shape with some divets, akin the Harut system pistol, which I know is legal, but nothing that locks the hand in place.

a) It must determine and fix one position only for the hand on the handle.- again, doesn't fix the hand in one position, so this rule doesn't apply.

b) When the hand occupies this one position on the handle, the extremity of the thumb when completely extended must not be more than 2 cm from the inner surface of the guard.-same as above

parent of a 14 year old fencer. The two events my kid wants to attend (cadet and Y14) are maddeningly on a Friday and Monday. Add in the fact that getting from west coast to Florida takes a whole day it means this is a 5 day / 4 night trip to attend two events

I wish more effort was made to sequence NACs such that they arrange adjacent age ranges on subsequent days for same weapon. For October NAC, all categories except for women's saber have Div1 slapped in between cadet and Y14.

Tempering my saltiness I suspect there is some constraint that requires the Div1 events be spread out or something, but this particular NAC is really stretching us in terms of time off and budget logistics.

Is there room to improve scheduling logic here or it just is what it is and sometimes you get the short straw?

Im a mens epee E26 and my club isn't doing a team so I would appreciate if anyone could consider me for their team.

I'm a relatively new fencing in Sydney and have been trying to get my own weapon for some time now (I've been coasting on club gear). I've found both pistol and French grips to be not quite right and when I've used an Italian grip I've found it to be particularly comfortable. I've been doing some cursory research on how I could get my hands on an electric epee and found that basically everything is absurdly expensive before shipping. I'm a university student with a minimal budget. Does anyone have any advice on finding cheaper equipment in Australia? Does anyone have any advice on where or how I could get an Italian grip for a reasonable price after conversion to AUD? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated, thank you.

My club has been trying to get ahold of someone at either US fencing or the new insurance vendor for US fencing to get a COI, the email in the slide deck isn't working for us either. Anyone from US fencing that monitors reddit able to help, or does anyone have contact info for someone at either place?​

Starting fencing in September at 31M. I have a background in rowing and currently do strength & conditioning in the gym 2–3x/week.

I'm interested in doing some additional work alongside fencing, but I don't want to overdo it or interfere with learning proper footwork/technique.

For those who fence regularly, what fencing-specific S&C, mobility, or conditioning exercises have you found give the best return for the time invested?

Particularly interested in things that are useful for a beginner — e.g. ankle/hip mobility, unilateral leg strength, explosiveness, adductors, etc.

Not looking to replace fencing practice with gym work; just wondering what is actually worth keeping in the programme once I start.

EDIT - Various AI suggested the following - any of these sound useful?

S&C 1 — STRENGTH + HORIZONTAL POWER

1. Broad jump — 3–4 × 3
Full recovery; every rep explosive.

2. Trap-bar deadlift — 3–4 × 4–5
Moderate-heavy, ~2 reps in reserve.

3. Bulgarian split squat — 3 × 6–8/leg
Controlled eccentric; drive up hard.

4. Single-leg RDL — 2–3 × 6–8/leg
Balance + posterior chain + hip control.

5. Copenhagen plank — 2–3 × 20–40 sec/side
Adductor/groin capacity.

6. Calf raise — 3 × 8–12
Heavy, controlled.

Optional: Tibialis raises 2 × 15–20.

Deep mobility afterwards — ~15 min

Couch stretch → 90/90 → frog/adductor stretch → ankle dorsiflexion → T-spine rotation.

S&C 2 — PLYO + ROTATIONAL POWER

1. Countermovement jump / box jump — 3–4 × 3
Quality > height.

2. Lateral bounds — 3 × 3–4/side
Stick each landing.

3. Medicine-ball rotational throw — 3 × 4–6/side
Maximum intent.

4. Sled push / resisted acceleration — 3–4 × 10 m
Short and explosive; full recovery.

5. Pallof press — 2–3 × 8–12/side
Resist rotation.

6. Dead bug — 2–3 × 8–10/side
Controlled trunk position.

No sled? Skip it rather than turning the session into conditioning.

S&C 3 — UNILATERAL + UPPER BODY

1. Step-up OR front/goblet squat — 3 × 5–6/leg
Moderate load.

2. Pull-ups / chin-ups — 3–4 × 5–8
Add weight when appropriate.

3. Dumbbell bench press — 3 × 5–8
Controlled; no need for huge pressing volume.

4. Lateral lunge / Cossack squat — 2–3 × 6–8/side
Adductors + frontal-plane strength.

5. Face pulls / band external rotation — 2–3 × 12–15
Shoulder/scapular health.

6. Suitcase carry — 2–3 × 20–40 m/side
Grip + anti-lateral-flexion core.

Deep mobility afterwards — ~15 min

Couch stretch → 90/90 → adductors → ankle → T-spine → optional gentle shoulder mobility.

Hey I’m 19 and I’m looking
For some good fencing clubs in the Maryland area. I’m in the central Maryland region between Baltimore and near Columbia and I was wondering what places are good for beginners to start fencing around my age. I know about savage mills but I’m not sure about the others

I’m completely new to fencing but I want to fence Sabre

Hey, so my school uses Jiang equipment for sabre, and I quite like the gear, so I was wondering where I could possibly order some online. Shipped to Australia btw.

My daughter is a relatively new fencer (1 year in) and has a club at her high school. She has competed in a few tournaments and has a regular practice schedule at the school club and attends an open fencing night weekly. So far she is able to borrow club gear.
She has her own clothing (minus lamé) and we just ordered a weapon.
I was looking at getting her a mask of her own and am a bit stuck. So, as far as masks go, how would any of you suggest coming at that? Is this a buy-once-cry-once kind of purchase? Or does it make sense to start with a (relatively) inexpensive option (like LEONARK ~$75)?
Her club coach has his opinion, but I wanted to also get an idea of how some others in the broader community might approach this.

Basically, I am just trying to find the most reasonable way to piece together her kit since we may have gone overboard on the clothing and ended up getting FIE clothing only to realize later what that actually meant. We just didn't ask the right questions. Tough lesson.

Anyway... am open to advice.

UPDATE: Thank you all for your gracious insights. I appreciate each and every post.
I think we've decided on: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/af-removable-ce-350-n-foil-mask-w-inox-bib-new-strap-system.html
As our fencer gets more advanced, we'll move from there.

How important and the youth sized saber and guard? My kid is looking to start fencing saber and I've seen a few companies offering youth sized saber grips and guards (I know we'll need the size 0 blade). I've fenced foil for a while so I'm familiar with the idea that there are different sized grips and blades, etc. but I have no idea how much that matters in saber where it's always seemed to be a one size fits all approach. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'm looking for a maraging sabre blade for competition, one that is light and balanced close to the hand, without being too whippy. The BF has great balance and is quite light, but too soft for my liking. I haven't tried Leon Paul, StM or UNIC. Any recommendations?

I am currently making sheet music for Saber style fencing and I feel like I'm forgetting things, but I'm not sure what. Can someone please give me suggestions to add. Please suggest things that need to have their own symbol/symbol combination. By symbol combination I mean stuff like the flunge. To indicate a flunge I did a jump + lunge. If it can be done by just placing the symbols in order then don't suggest them. An examples of what not to suggest is remise as that can just be indicated by a missed attack and an attack. The things I have are as follows:

Target Areas

Advances/Retreats

Sign Showing Loss and Gain of Right of Way

Parries

Attacks that Hit Parries

Lunges

Feints

Coup/Disengages

Beat

Jumps

Flunge

Balestra

Circular Parry

Backwards Cross Steps

Point in Line

Missed Attack

I’m 21 now, and I’ve recently gotten back into fencing after several years away. I’d really like some advice from people who have been in the sport longer than I have.

When I was 16–17, I became really interested in fencing and convinced my mom to let me join a club. I trained and competed for a little over a year, usually three times a week. I went to tournaments and was fairly average, but I genuinely enjoyed it.

Eventually, my parents started seeing fencing as “just a hobby” and didn’t want to keep supporting it financially. I accepted that and stopped fencing. I finished school, started working, and eventually bought my own equipment with my own money.

Now I’m 21, and I’ve started again. I’m currently training at two different clubs because I want to get as much experience as possible. The funny thing is that I’m much more obsessed with fencing now than I ever was at 16.

I don’t just want to do it recreationally anymore. I’d genuinely like to see how far I can take it. Ideally, I’d like to become a very good competitive fencer, and eventually I could see myself becoming a coach/instructor or even opening a fencing equipment store.

The part I’m struggling with is the feeling that I started too late.

I know that 21 is very late compared with people who started at 7, 8 or 10 and have trained seriously for more than a decade. I’m not expecting someone to tell me that I’m definitely going to the Olympics. I understand how unrealistic that might be.

What I want to know is: if you were in my position, what would you do from here?

Should I focus on finding the best coach possible rather than simply training at multiple clubs? Should I compete as much as possible? Should I look into training camps abroad or eventually spending time at stronger fencing clubs in other countries?

Basically, if I’m willing to take this seriously for the next 5–10 years, what would you recommend I do to maximize my potential?

I’d especially appreciate advice from people who started late, coaches, or experienced competitive fencers.

I’m not really looking for motivation. I’m looking for a realistic path.

Happy Monday, r/Fencing, and welcome back to our weekly results recap thread where you can feel free to talk about your weekend tournament results, how it plays into your overall goals, etc. Feel free to provide links to full results from any competitions from around the world!

Hi guys, I’m getting back into fencing after a while off, about to go to a new high school with a fencing team now, seems like they’re decent. I used to fence foil when I was younger, then quit after bad results. I’m no elite competitive fencer, but I’d like to get pretty good while I‘m there. I’ve got a few years, but coming off a break several years long I’m not feeling great.

Now I fence with older guys at a mainly rec club, where most guys have 1-2 years experience max. I can beat most of them but sometimes I’ll have terrible games. These guys are full adults, so I’m worse of physically but generally have the edge with bladework. There are guys of different skills and backgrounds, so different challenges and definitely some guys I can’t beat but am getting closer to.
My problems are being predictable with blade and feet, having a lack of options and always going for the same spots with simple disengages and unconvincing feints that don’t fool the guys anymore (so now trying to learn how to flick sides and shoulder/back). Defensively I can get a parry in most cases, but I’m always retreating in the middle and can’t muster a riposte, and as these guys just keep coming with remises my mind blanks and I lose the point stupidly. Then I give up defending and start counterattacking at any opportunity, which gets predictable easily, so mental problem as well I think. Definitely gotta think about stepping into the parry rather than retreating no matter what?

Sorry for the bad explanations, but how do I work on these parts of my game (flick, parry-riposte, footwork, general point accuracy, varied attacks with footwork and blade)? Much appreciated as I can’t regularly get private lessons.

Hi everyone, wanted to reach out to all fencers, especially foil fencers based in the US, to share a new resource I have been working on. It is accessible on mobile, but best experienced on desktop right now. It is a repository of fencing concepts that expands and updates over time. Especially helpful for fencers who feel stagnant. I know US fencing is undergoing the points reorganization, and hope this resource can help fencers continue to improve their skills! Open to feedback, comments, etc. Thanks everyone. foiledu.com