NAC Advice, Please

[Phorid]

We are trying to juggle school schedules with NAC schedules as well as the logistics of getting to places like New Mexico and Memphis. I need advice about NACs and teenagers:

1. Is is worthwhile for U teenagers to compete in a Division III NAC? Division II?

2. Is it worthwhile for U teenagers compete in their NAC age divisions?

Thanks in advance.

[passata_sotto]

At our club's 10th anniversary yesterday, our coaches were telling all the new fencers and their parents the importance of attending NACs if they had any intention in being competitive fencers, or trying out for college teams and/or scholarships, or attending Nationals.

I have three boys, one Y14 and two cadets, who are definitely going to Albuquerque so that they can experience a national tournament in case they qualify for Nationals. They could wait and do qualifiers here in the Spring but, after my 10 year old went to Nationals having never attended either a NAC or SYC (missed the qualifying RYC in the fall for NAC), I can definitely see how a NAC could better prepare one for Nationals. Of course there is points and other reasons to attend NACs.

[oiuyt]

I think it is rarely worthwhile for an unclassified fencer to fly to compete in a tournament, perhaps excluding at the youth level where there are some athletes that are competitive within their age-group but not capable of earning a classification (which at least opens the discussion of whether or not flying to competitions is reasonable, although certainly doesn't affirm it).

It doesn't make sense to me to fly around to get experience at that level. There should be many more level-appropriate competitions much closer to home. Taking a several trips to regional events seems a considerably better use of fixed resources than a single cross-country trip.

-B

[IHateMrPotatohead]

At the same time Brad, why do you fence in the first place? Is it just for ratings/points/medals? I'm unrated in my favorite weapon, but yet I still find the means to fly to one or two NAC's per year. Why? Because it's fun! Because I get to fence new people! Because I get to travel! Does it always have to be about "doing well"? I go into the NAC's knowing I'm most likely not going to do well, but I do it for fun.

[noodle]

Originally Posted by Phorid

1. Is is worthwhile for U teenagers to compete in a Division III NAC? Division II?

2. Is it worthwhile for U teenagers compete in their NAC age divisions?

Thanks in advance.

yes. yes.

yes.


those yeses are dependant upon cost/time/etc.. there's not a good reason to travel, for example, from sacremento to atlanta just to fence the div2, unless you're looking to win. on the other side of the coin, they ARE important parts of fencing development and should be hit whenever possible.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by IHateMrPotatohead

At the same time Brad, why do you fence in the first place? Is it just for ratings/points/medals? I'm unrated in my favorite weapon, but yet I still find the means to fly to one or two NAC's per year. Why? Because it's fun! Because I get to fence new people! Because I get to travel! Does it always have to be about "doing well"? I go into the NAC's knowing I'm most likely not going to do well, but I do it for fun.

If the same resources can be used, instead of picking up 5-6 bouts in a JNAC, the "NAC experience", and flying cross-country, to travel to 3+ car-tripped regional events that each offer double the amount of competitive strip time, similarly against unfamiliar opposition with unfamiliar referees, etc. then, in a resource-limited environment I'd have to say the latter is likely the better choice.

If resources aren't limited then it's probably a reasonable thing to do (barring such considerations as potential negative psychological impact on the athlete of level-inappropriate competition, which I'm inclined to believe are rarely an issue).

It certainly doesn't have to always be about "doing well", nor did I claim such. If it's about gaining useful developmental experience there are better ways of accomplishing that goal for a beginner than a JNAC.

-B

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by Phorid

1. Is is worthwhile for U teenagers to compete in a Division III NAC? Division II?

2. Is it worthwhile for U teenagers compete in their NAC age divisions?

Thanks in advance.

The answer to both is the same no matter how you slice it. The age divisions will probably have a larger range of skill, but a higher amount of skill on average.

The question is really whether or not you have the money to spend several hundred dollars flying across the country to (probably) lose 6 bouts, or win 1 and lose 5. If you do, go for it. If you don't, stick to local events until you have enough skill to do better at the events (and get more bouts in.)

[passata_sotto]

It is funny that everyone assumes that every NAC is thousands of miles from every fencer.

Surely there are some good fencers who live close to Memphis, Albuquerque, Richmond, Columbus, Denver, Atlanta, Tucson, or Miami.

We have several from our club going to Albuquerque and my boys, I, and our coach are driving.

[oiuyt]

OP talked about both Memphis and Albuquerque. I suspect at least one of them is flight distance from wherever Phorid lives.

-B

[KD5MDK]

Maybe they're in Oklahoma.

The really unique things about NACs are:
1) The sheer size is much bigger than almost all other fencing tournaments. The number of non-National tournaments which exceed 24 strips is tiny, and yet NACs are (nowadays) at least half again as big as that. (36 and up)

2) They do things Right. Good check-in, armoury control, professional referees, etc.

However, a decently sized regional tournament (12-16 strips) that is well organized can provide most of that same experience, for a much lower cost. So depending on where you live, we may be able to recommend more cost effective tournaments to get the same results.

[Mauler]

Originally Posted by IHateMrPotatohead

At the same time Brad, why do you fence in the first place? Is it just for ratings/points/medals? I'm unrated in my favorite weapon, but yet I still find the means to fly to one or two NAC's per year. Why? Because it's fun! Because I get to fence new people! Because I get to travel! Does it always have to be about "doing well"? I go into the NAC's knowing I'm most likely not going to do well, but I do it for fun.

The sports, travel, restaurant and hospitality industries salute you.

Just as not everyone who fences does so to compete, not everyone who competes in fencing does so with same goals either. Our industry most certainly has something to give back to you in exchange for the prices you pay. To some, such investments are a nessary means to achieve something they may or may not get -- i.e. winning the event. For others, it's price paid for "the product" -- total package of the experience, the atmosphere, to be part of "something big," and whatever else such a participation means to each customer.

[Phorid]

Thanks to everyone who gave advice. All was much appreciated. Unfortunately, the decision to stay home was made for us by unanticipated school projects and attendance-required school events. Oh well! C'est le vie! Per advice, we will now focus on regional tournaments and shoot for Atlanta in March.