Competition Day: What Every Fencer Needs to Know

New York, NY (Oct. 29) — On competition day, there is a lot to do before your fencer even pickups a weapon. Follow along to find out what every fencer needs to know.

Arrival Time: Fencers should arrive no later than one hour before the check-in time closes in their individual event. There is a lot of get done in that hour, so step lively.

Check-In: Upon arrival, the first thing to do is locate the check-in area and confirm that you are officially present for your event. You will need your USA Fencing card (physical or printed card). If you have not been age verified, you will need a form of identification confirming the fencer’s age as well.

Find Your Coaches: Find coaches and/or other students from your club and bring the fencer’s equipment to the “home base" the coaches have established.

Equipment Check: In regional competitions and above, the fencer needs to complete a "weapons check.”  This is an inspection for both safety and functionality. Depending on the competition size, this can take anywhere from 10 to more than 30 minutes. The fencer (or parent) should get in line to check equipment immediately after checking in. Only bring items that need to be evaluated. Each venue will have a list of items required by its equipment check line. (Note: if something fails inspection, you will need to purchase a new one or borrow one that has passed inspection).

Warm-Up: Fencers need to warm up for at least 40 minutes before the start of pools. Depending on the venue space, the coaches will lead a group warm-up but being prepared is ultimately the fencer’s responsibility. If coaches are not available, fencers should be prepared to run, stretch, do a bit of footwork and ideally fence electrically with their clubmates. For most fencers, the pool bouts are the most important part of the competition. It pays to be prepared. 

Report to Fence: When the check-in time has closed, fencers, coaches and parents should listen for the announcement that pools/strip assignments have been posted. Strip assignments will be available at www.FencingTimeLive.com. 

The fencer should take their equipment (including water bottle, extra cords and weapon) and immediately report to their assigned strip.  Make sure your coaches know where the fencer has been assigned so they can be available when it’s the fencer’s turn to compete.  

Strip Coaching: The fencer may not have a coach at every bout. Most coaches do their best to get to as many strips as possible during a competition. There is generally one coach assigned for every three/four fencers for each event. However, there can be times when fencers from the same club are all competing at the same time.  TMFC coaches do their absolute best to be at as many individual bouts as possible.

Pool Results: After fencing in pools there will be a break for the fencers while the results are tabulated. This is the time for the fencer to go to the bathroom, have a light snack, stretch, rest and then go through the warm-up process again.

In almost all local and regional competitions, fencers advance to the Direct Elimination round. Even if the fencer lost all pool bouts, there is at least one more bout before this fencer’s event is over. 

Fencers, coaches and parents should listen for the announcement that direct elimination strip assignments have been posted. And again, at that time, the fencer should take their equipment (including water bottle, extra cords and weapon) and immediately report to their assigned strip.  Make sure the coaches know where the fencer has been assigned so they can be available when it’s the fencer’s turn to compete. 

When TMFC Club Mates Face Off: There is absolutely no cheering, coaching, or comments  of any kind when TMFC fencers compete against each other. This goes for parents, fencers and coaches. We are one team. Our club culture is to support each other — this is non-negotiable.

When Fencer is Eliminated: It doesn’t matter when the fencer is eliminated, they can still learn from watching those that are still competing. The fencer should pack up their equipment, cheer for any of their remaining teammates in the tournament, and watch the fencers who are still competing.

Please plan to be at the competition for the duration of your event, from start to finish. There is much to be learned at a competition. Fencers who want to become champions should study fencers from other clubs. These will be the people you will fence over and over again. Learn as much as possible from the experience of being there. Supporting each other will make for a stronger fencing community. Champions support their club mates. 

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Tim Morehouse Fencing Club is the premier fencing club in the New York City area, offering fencing lessons in Manhattan, Westchester (Port Chester), and Connecticut (Stamford). With instruction available in saber, foil, and epee fencing, TMFC has programs for all levels of experience and competition.