My first tournament

[SavageStalker]

Well hi, im new to this forum, I started fencing 6 months ago, and i'm going to my first tournament on saturday! Im pretty nerveous. Any suggestions?
thx

[D'Art]

Welcome to the forum, and the sport

Suggestions? Yup. Relax and enjoy yourself, then you'll be fine.

[occasionalfencer]

1)Don't expect to win anything. Think of this as a learning opportunity. When my son was in his first several years of fencing we would go to tournaments where I would say (trying to be encouraging and supportive) "Don't have any unrealistic goals. Just try to get one touch in each bout." We were talking about pool bouts, because he often did not make it to D.E.'s He did not always succeed in this modest goal. However, he is now on the national team for his age group, so remember, lose early and often. I mean, keep on fencing even if you lose.

2)You can learn a little about fencing by watching other people, and a lot about comraderie, sportsmanship, organization (you will notice that the higher level fencers arrive at the strip fully prepared, with weapons, extra weapons, water bottles, towels, whatever they are going to need).

3) Do whatever your coach says. Your coach has more experience with fencing, with tournaments, and with first time fencers than you do.

4) Don't argue with the referees. Even if other people do. Don't argue with the referees.

[SavageStalker]

Thanks for your suggestions=) Ill try to do my best! Ill tell you how i do later, it is a novice tournament btw =)

[Purple Fencer]

Read the primer referenced in my signature block.....it's for folks just like you!

[JackOfHearts]

I fenced in my first tournament last Sunday. I lost every bout, but I had fun. Here's an important tip: Keep your eyes on your opponent. Try not to get distracted by anything else around you. Just keep your eyes on your opponent, and your ear open for your director.

[sjpfencer220]

hi and welcome. Some tips for your first tournament are not to expect to win, but set goals such as scoring a point in every bout, or just having fun. Also remember what you did, not how you did, because in the long run that is really more important. Just pretend it's a lot of practice bouts in a row, try newthings, and have fun while you are doing it. PS these are not just for your first tournament, I still use all of them, particularly the first one with fencers that are a lot better than me, and I have been in hundreds of tournaments of all levels. Good luck!