Extra protection ?

[roxiered]

Is there anyone who wears extra protection (for a younger fencer) other than a plastron? Are their padded shorts or padded underarmers you can buy? Any ideas? She fences a lot (mostly older kids at her club) so the bouts are a bit more physical then fencing a much younger fencer her age.

[cfaustus]

A fencer should wear gender appropriate underarmor. This means cups for males or breast protectors for females. The breast protectors can be purchased from most fencign suppliers. Whether one opts for the single piece or saucers is personal preference. Most of my female students seem to prefer the saucers tucked under an extra sports bra. Other than that, there will be bruising. No way to get around that. Even with plastic underarmor you will still receive hits on the arms and legs etc. It is part of fencing. Hopefully, the better one gets, the better they get at preventing others from hitting them.

How young is she? If she is extremely young, you may wish to speak to the coach about it. I know I will get flack for this, but I really don't like seeing kids under 12 bouting. They rarely have either the physical or the emotional maturity for fencing. They can still do drills or other training if an instructor is creative. As I have indicated, others disagree with this and I have seen programs that have children as young as 5 enrolled and 'fencing'.

[sjpfencer220]

saucers tucked under an extra sports bra.

Actually, that's not how they're supposed to go. The saucers go in pockets on the inside of a women's jacket, the reason there is a difference between a womens and a mens. Also, they make chest protactors for boys, which, although they are annoying to hit, are good if you have any smaller or younger boy fencers. Finally, this year the USFA either made or rephrased a rule (I forget which), stating: no rugged padding may be worn outside the jacket, knickers, or lamé. That's not the exact phrasing but pretty much don't try to put anything like a wrap over her arm for example, to pretect it, as it is currently illegal. Good luck finding something.

[cfaustus]

I know the saucers are intended to go in the pockets of the jackets. Most of my female students have found however that the jackets do not seem to be sewn by anyone who really knows female anatomy. As such, they find that wearing a second sports bra and then sliding the saucers in between the bras is much more comfortable and provides better/more consistent protection.

[roxiered]

Also, they make chest protactors for boys, which, although they are annoying to hit, are good if you have any smaller or younger boy fencers.

Why are chest protectors annoying to hit?

[erooMynohtnA]

Why are chest protectors annoying to hit?

You bounce off.

[KD5MDK]

However, many girls find that the pockets on the jacket only vaguely position the protectors near their chest region, and certainly not over the breasts. In those cases, it is a very wise idea to position them where they need to be, and not where the jacket designer thought.

[roxiered]

Quote:
Originally Posted by roxiered
Why are chest protectors annoying to hit?

Answer:
You bounce off.

Are you saying it is harder for the fencer wearing the chest protector or harder to score on the fencer wearing the protector?

[KD5MDK]

Harder to score on.

[oiuyt]

Finally, this year the USFA either made or rephrased a rule (I forget which), stating: no rugged padding may be worn outside the jacket, knickers, or lamé. That's not the exact phrasing but pretty much don't try to put anything like a wrap over her arm for example, to pretect it, as it is currently illegal. Good luck finding something.

The rule is against RIGID materials. It's been around since early last year and was in response to some of the ideas that popped up to take advantage of the new timings (hard plates directly under lames). Wraps are fine (assuming that you're not running afoul of the long-standing rules against clothing that could catch and hold a point). Certainly padding UNDER the jacket isn't illegal.

-B

[remise]

Where is she getting hit?

[chefencer]

All of our Y's are encouraged to wear the plastic chest protectors. Craig has some padded fencing socks in the f-net store.
Anybody found any protective benefits (vs. moisture wicking) of the various permutations of UnderArmour for the turf sports?

[KD5MDK]

Underarmor seems decidedly too thin to be much protection, really, unless they're getting chafing or something. I would recommend a good thick underarm protector or cotton jacket as the most padded solutions, really. Of course, those are generally not as puncture resistant as the higher rated synthetic materials.

[lindajdunn]

As a small woman, I much, much prefer the chest protectors. IMHO, they offer better overall coverage. One does, however, need to get one that fits properly so you are not continuously brushing against it with your inner arm.

While exterior padding is not allowed, internal padding is allowed. Where is she getting the bruises and what is she wearing under the jacket?

[bousquet]

Get the full chest protector. As someone currently healing from a broken rib, suffered in a bout, I'm of the belief, the more protection - the better. I bought a chest protector and started using it when I returned to fencing last week and found that it did not hinder me in any way. I won't be fencing without one in the future. I went 3 weeks without getting a good night's sleep and I won't try to tell you what it felt like to sneeze.

[DHCJr]

While exterior padding is not allowed, internal padding is allowed. Where is she getting the bruises and what is she wearing under the jacket?

The first part of the statement is not true. There is no rule against exterior padding. In fact, the opposite could be true in the future. There is talk of requiring some sort of padding on the outside, to try and fix the problem they created with the new timing that Roch pushed through.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

I know the saucers are intended to go in the pockets of the jackets. Most of my female students have found however that the jackets do not seem to be sewn by anyone who really knows female anatomy. As such, they find that wearing a second sports bra and then sliding the saucers in between the bras is much more comfortable and provides better/more consistent protection.

However, many girls find that the pockets on the jacket only vaguely position the protectors near their chest region, and certainly not over the breasts. In those cases, it is a very wise idea to position them where they need to be, and not where the jacket designer thought.

Thank you, you two fine gentlemen.

As someone WITH breasts, I would like to agree.

When I was 14 and barely had breasts, having BPs vaugly near my breasts was enough. When that wasn't sufficient, I then moved to one of the "amazonian breast plates"..... but everyone on my team who doesn't have one puts them either in between two sports bras or just in a sports bra. Every single one of them.

pockets=wikkid retahded

[Ordway]

pockets=wikkid retahded

OTOH, I do appreciate not *having* to put the BPs in a sports bra; since I don't wear a bra at all (sorry guys if that was TMI) it would be really annoying to have to wear one just for fencing. With my "petite" figure I do just fine with the BPs in the pockets, and then all I have to wear (other than regular fencing gear) is my t-shirt.

(Though even for me, some of the jackets are bizarrely designed; the Fencing Post one I'm using now had pockets that were so deep that the BPs dropped down to bottom-of-the-ribs location (literally). Had to put a couple of stitches in to shorten the pockets.)

[fencerbill]

Many Sabre fencers wear a padded plastron that is a full vest, although some have a sleeve only on the weapon side.

[roxiered]

She is getting hit in the rib cage area and above the tricep. ( The chest protector she uses just doesn't seem to be cutting it. )

Is there a website that offers more high quality fencing gear (more fitted) instead of an inexpensive poorly fitting chest protector?

Thanks for opinions!