Young girls fencing

[jspierre]

My two girls, ages 7 and 10 are starting fencing, and just wonder if they should wear chest protectors like the older girls?

What do mom's and dad's recommend on this question? Do other girls at this age wear these?

[achilleus]

My two girls, ages 7 and 10 are starting fencing, and just wonder if they should wear chest protectors like the older girls?

What do mom's and dad's recommend on this question? Do other girls at this age wear these?

Yes, wear them.

It's required, and they need to get used to them.
At young ages, the male/flat protector works fine.

I'm not a parent, but am speaking from from a coaches perspective.

[jspierre]

Thanks for the guidance.

Do they even make these things for young children? Any tips where you might get them?

[achilleus]

Thanks for the guidance.

Do they even make these things for young children? Any tips where you might get them?

Being male, I don't really know. I do know that if you call a fencing supplier, they can answer your question regarding sizing. Many girls that age wear a small male chest protector.

[Purple Fencer]

Yes...I sell them...$32 + tax (in CA) and shipping. I'd need their chest measurements, but the sizes are:

XS 28" chest
S 34" chest
M 40" chest

Large & XL are kinda pointless on kids that young. Drop me a line.

[Larrison]

There's a young girl in the salle I attend that uses a flat male chest protector. I'd estimate she's around 16 or 17, but she is pretty much willow thin. Quite tall and left handed. The flat male chest protector seems to work well for her.

For young girls the flat male chest protector ought to work fine.

[Nusy]

Thanks for the guidance.

Do they even make these things for young children? Any tips where you might get them?

See also FencePBT - the smallest (No. 1) women's chest protector is also good, especially if they wear the plastron under it (just like me, however, now I wear a larger size ).

[Purple Fencer]

There's a young girl in the salle I attend that uses a flat male chest protector. I'd estimate she's around 16 or 17, but she is pretty much willow thin. Quite tall and left handed. The flat male chest protector seems to work well for her.

For young girls the flat male chest protector ought to work fine.

When Felicia Zimmerman was coaching at SwordPlay (Burbank) a year or so back, I think I saw her using a men's guard...guess she's pretty small up top.

[SupportCrew]

Yes, by all means, get your daughter's to wear them. It hurts a lot less, especially during drills where you have to allow your opponenent to hit you in the same spot over and over again. I was trying to figure out how I could get a larger one!