Competing
How a competition actually runs — seeding and direct elimination, team relay, and getting yourself ready for the season.
5 guides
Beginning the Fencing Season: Pre-Season Checklist
A pre-season checklist for fencing parents and coaches: aligning on kids' goals, adopting a mastery approach, opening communication, and gathering feedback.
Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail
How to build a consistent competition routine: sample pre-tournament and pre-bout checklists covering gear checks, sleep, warm-up, and mental prep.
Fencing in College - How to Get on an NCAA Fencing Team
How to fence in college: every NCAA fencing school, when coaches can contact you, what scholarships actually exist, and the six steps to getting recruited.
The Fencing Coach's Guide to Team Relay Fencing (Part 1)
How team relay fencing bout order works, and the four roles - closer, brick wall, jimmy, and alternate - a coach assigns fencers to on a relay team.
The Importance of Seeding, or Why Can’t I Win Any DE Bouts?
Why pool seeding decides who you face in direct elimination: how DE brackets pair seeds, and why fighting for every touch improves your bracket position.