Competing
How a competition actually runs — seeding and direct elimination, team relay, and getting yourself ready for the season.
4 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.
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.