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Parents' Guide

Everything you need to support your young fencer — from the first class to national competitions.

Fencing 101 Age Guide Safety Equipment Guide Tournament Guide Calendar FAQ

Welcome to the Fencing Family

Fencing 101 — Parent Guide

Welcome to our fencing family! We're thrilled to have your child join us. Whether they signed up for fun, fitness, or future competition, you've made a fantastic choice. This guide is your go-to resource for navigating your child's fencing experience with confidence.

Why Choose Fencing for Kids

Fencing blends mental agility with physical strength and coordination. It teaches kids to think ahead, stay calm under pressure, and be respectful on and off the strip.

  • Enhanced focus and mental discipline
  • Improved coordination, flexibility, and balance
  • A safe, supervised sport with low injury rates
  • Strong community and lasting friendships
  • Pathways to college admissions and scholarships

What Happens in a Class

A typical fencing class is 60–90 minutes:

  • Warm-ups and fun agility drills
  • Footwork drills on the strip
  • Bladework and fencing tactics
  • Supervised sparring ("bouting")
  • Cooldown and coaching review
Coach Boris giving pre-bout instruction to young fencer
📞 Questions? Call (980) 374-8686 or email info@charlottesabers.com — we love talking with parents!

Development Stages

What Age Should Kids Start Fencing?

Most children begin between ages 6 and 8, but the sport offers a clear developmental path for all ages:

Ages 6–8

Fun & Foundations

All about fun, building confidence, and developing a basic understanding of the sport. Kids learn footwork, coordination, and bladework through engaging games and drills.

Ages 9–12

Skill & Competition

Many kids are ready to start competing. They gain a deeper understanding of tactics, rules, and strategy. Local and regional competitions become an exciting part of the journey.

Ages 14–15

Elite Development

Fencers focus on long-term goals, competing regionally and nationally. Athletes work toward earning ratings, building a competitive résumé, and preparing for college fencing.

Safety First

Is Fencing Safe for Kids?

The answer is a confident yes. Fencing is statistically safer than many traditional team sports. All participants wear full protective gear:

  • Fencing mask with strong steel mesh screen
  • Padded fencing jacket (350N protection rating)
  • Plastron — underarm protector (mandatory)
  • Gloves and chest protection
  • Fencing knickers (padded pants)
⚔️ Important: Fencing weapons are not sharp! Electric sabre blades are flexible, blunt-tipped, and designed to flex on contact. All sparring is fully supervised.
Young CSFA fencer in full protective gear in en garde position

Gear Up

Saber Equipment Buying Guide

Once your child progresses into regular training and competition, it's time to invest in personal equipment. Our trusted vendor: Absolute Fencing Gear.

Benefits of owning gear: Better fit, improved hygiene, required for tournaments, long-term cost savings, and saves up to 10 minutes of prep time per class.
1

Saber Mask with Conductive Bib

Metallic lamé bib registers valid head touches. Look for CE-certified or FIE-rated for advanced competitors.

AF Sabre 350N Mask →
2

Fencing Jacket (Non-Electric)

Base layer under the lamé. Minimum 350N protection rating. Back-zip options for left-handed fencers.

AF Kids Jacket →
3

Plastron (Underarm Protector)

Mandatory for all fencers. Worn under the jacket on the weapon arm side. 350N or 800N rating.

AF Underarm Protector →
4

Chest Protector

Mandatory for girls; recommended for boys. Worn under the jacket and plastron.

AF Chest Protector →
5

Saber Glove with Conductive Cuff

Conductive cuff connects to the lamé. Must be in good condition — no holes permitted at tournaments.

AF Saber Glove →
6

Saber Lamé (Electric Jacket)

Conductive jacket covering torso and arms — required to register valid touches in saber. Get slightly larger to wear comfortably over the regular jacket.

AF Saber Lamé →
7

Knickers (Fencing Pants)

Padded white pants extending just below the knees. Must be worn with long white socks.

AF Fencing Pants →
8

Long White Socks

Two pairs recommended — cover legs from ankle to below the knickers.

AF Socks →
9

Electric Saber Weapon — Need 2

At least two electric sabers required (one + one backup). Blade sizes: Size 0 (Y8), Size 2 (Y10), Size 5 (Y12+).

AF Electric Saber →
10

Body Cord (2-prong, Saber) — Need 2

Connects the saber to the scoring machine. Always carry a backup!

AF Master Body Cord →
11

Mask Cord — Need 2

Connects mask to the lamé system. Always carry a backup!

German Mask Cord →

Competition Ready

Tournament Guide for Parents

Types of Tournaments

Local Tournaments

Great for beginners. Low stress, close to home. Find events at AskFRED.net.

Regional (RYC / RJCC / ROC)

For more experienced fencers; earns regional points toward qualification. See USFA Regional Events.

National (NACs, Junior Olympics, Summer Nationals)

Highly competitive; require qualification. See USFA National Events.

Tournament Day Checklist

Required Gear
  • Fencing mask
  • Jacket & underarm protector
  • Chest protector (mandatory for girls)
  • Glove (no holes!)
  • 2+ weapons · 2 body cords · 2 mask cords
  • Knickers and long white socks
  • Athletic shoes
Other Essentials
  • Water bottle and healthy snacks
  • Spare t-shirt and towel
  • Extra hair ties, tape, and band-aids
  • USA Fencing membership card (digital ok)
  • Positive attitude — and a patient parent!
Coach Boris coaching at USA Fencing tournament — young fencer competing Young CSFA fencer walking at national fencing tournament Coach Boris and young CSFA fencers celebrating with gold medal

Your Role as a Supportive Parent

  • Stay calm, encouraging, and positive throughout the event
  • Let the coach provide all technical feedback — not parents during matches
  • Celebrate effort and growth, win or lose
  • Keep your fencer hydrated, fueled, and rested
  • Fencing is as much mental as physical — your support makes all the difference

The Competitive Season

Tournament Calendar Explained

The USA Fencing competitive season runs August 1 through July 31 each year. Age groups are determined by your child's age as of January 1 of the current season.

Youth Age Groups

DivisionAge on Jan 1Typical Grades
Y88 & underGrades K–2
Y1010 & underGrades 3–5
Y1212 & underGrades 5–7
Y1414 & underGrades 7–9

Fencers may "fence up" (compete in an older age group) but not down.

Key Events

  • SYC (Super Youth Circuit) — Sept–May, primary pathway for Y10–Y14 national points
  • Regional Youth Circuits (RYCs) — Earn regional points throughout the year
  • Junior Olympics — Every February for Cadet and Junior fencers
  • Summer Nationals / July Challenge — Biggest event, held every July
  • North American Cups (NACs) — Monthly high-level events across the US

How to Register

Step 1: Join USA Fencing

USA Fencing membership is required to compete in sanctioned events.

Step 2: Find Events

AskFRED.net for local/regional; USFA website for national events.

Step 3: Register Early

For national/regional events, register and book hotel ASAP — venues fill quickly. Watch for registration deadlines.

Helpful Links

Stay Connected

🗓

AskFRED.net

Find local & regional fencing tournaments
🇺🇸

USA Fencing

Join or renew your USA Fencing membership
🏆

National Events

NACs, Junior Olympics, Summer Nationals
⚔️

Absolute Fencing Gear

Our recommended equipment vendor

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend staying nearby. Tournaments run quickly and fencers must report when called. Having a parent present also helps keep your fencer calm and fueled.
Beginners can start with 2–4 tournaments per year. More competitive fencers typically attend 1–2 events per month during the season. Your coach will recommend the right frequency for your child's level and goals.
Every fencer gets multiple bouts during the pool round — even a first-timer fences 4–6 matches minimum. Every result builds experience and resilience. Consistent effort matters far more than any single result.
Yes! Fencing is one of the best-kept secrets in college admissions. Hundreds of NCAA programs actively recruit fencers — including Ivy League schools. Coach Boris has an outstanding track record helping athletes navigate the college fencing recruiting process.
Check AskFRED.net and filter by your region. You can also speak with Coach Boris directly — he'll recommend the best events for your child's level and goals.

Have More Questions?

We love talking with parents. Reach out anytime — we're here every step of the way.

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