Basics for Competitive 10 year-old

[alexsmom]

My child is attending her first NAC tournament in Tucson in April. She has a "worn" club jacket, her own lame, knickers, socks, cords, mask, glove, sabre, indoor volleyball shoes, and fencing bag. The club will provide spare sabres and cords. Question: should she have a spare glove? proper fencing shoes? her own (not-so-worn) jacket? Or can she make do with what she has. (She is only 10 and is going on her 3rd year of fencing.) Thanks!

[passata_sotto]

My most competetive, and youngest fencer son, is 11 but has been competing for awhile so I will offer my few thoughts:
As the jacket is worn I would make sure that it does not have any tears that a weapon could get caught in.
Our first major purchases were FIE masque (he fences epée as well as foil and I felt that this was a good investment) and shoes. He has fencing shoes, but there are a lot of good squash shoes and other court shoes that many people wear. I feel that good shoes with support, regardless of what type, are important for growing feet.

We started making major purchases when he decided he was going to fence competitively, not recreational. You might check to see if your club recycles outgrown uniforms or other articles that may be available from other fencers.It does get expensive

I hope she has a good time - we will be there also

[alexsmom]

Thanks for the info and good luck in Tucson!

[irishfolker]

I believe a plastron would be required. Even if not, it's still a very highly recommended piece of safety gear.

[oiuyt]

I believe a plastron would be required. Even if not, it's still a very highly recommended piece of safety gear.

Plastrons (underarm protectors) are required for all USFA (or FIE) competitions, locally and nationally. Note that this is not the same thing as a chest protector, which is required for all women in competition.

And one should wear them at all times when fencing, whether in competition or not.

-B

[brtech]

Agree that if the jacket is in good condition (no tears), it's okay.
Definitely need plastron & chest protector.

Spare glove is not needed if hers it's going to pass inspection. Your coach (or better yet, a qualified armorer) can tell you if it will. Same with her lame and mask.

The shoes she has, if they are comfortable and work for her are fine.

She needs at least two good sabers, head cords and body cords. Ask your coach/armorer to test them before she goes.

Check Advice from the Armory for good information on what to expect at the check in line.

[Mo]

As far as fencing shoes go, I don't think there are any very good ones on the market that offer enough support. Indoor shoes especially volley ball shoes seem to work really well. Just make sure the heels have a rounded edge so they don't jar her ankle when she is lunging.

My daughter went to Nike where they are trying to develop a fencing shoe. They had cameras set up on a puter program so they could see what a fencer went through while doing basic fencing moves. The shock on the ankles caused by the shoes was amazing to see.

It would be really nice if they would step it up and get the shoes out.
the Momster

[Anotherfencingmom]

I have an eight-year old son who has been fencing for over a year and is will start competing in local events. My question is whether to get him a mask just for competition or if he should use is practice mask at the competitions. He has the knickers (gone through two pairs already), the underarm protection, chest protection and jacket (s).

[brtech]

That depends on the mask. If the practice mask is of good quality, and in good condition, it should be fine for competition, and nearly all fencers use the same mask for practice and competition.

On the other hand, if the practice mask if of poor quality, or poor condition REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY. Please, don't skimp on masks. It's your kid's head/face/brain) we are talking about.

Any armorer can test a mask and tell you if it is in good condition. Most will be honest about quality (some don't want to offend vendors, or coaches, etc). There are a few brands of mask out there (especially saber) which I would not let my kid fence in, even they passed the test. The mesh is just too loose, and I'm not sure of the bib strength.

There is no significant difference in risk between practice and competition. If a blade breaks and gets thrust into the mask, you want the bib and/or mesh to stop it no matter whether it's a practice bout or the finals of a world cup.

You don't, strictly speaking, need an FIE mask, but it doesn't hurt. FIE masks are stronger, especially on the bib. The tests we can perform are the same on all masks.

Don't ever let your kid fence with a questionable mask. Not ever.

[4qtrs]

Please, don't skimp on masks.

I agree, both of my sons have FIE masks and they last for years. However, when one becomes questionable we replace it immediately. They only have one mask that they use for both practice and competition.

If your son is not competiting alot yet I would get a non-FIE mask from Leon Paul or Ulhmman (sp?). When he really likes competing and is starting to travel then I would 'invest' in an FIE mask.

It is worth it.

[alexsmom]

...does anyone have a favorite type of jacket? Nylon? cotton? Other? My child wears underarmour t's to help keep cool. I like the idea of cotton, but it seems so bulky. With a plastron, t, jacket, lame, gauntlet, et al, it seems a bit much and binding. Any thoughts? (Thanks for all the great input.)

[Capt. Slo-mo]

...does anyone have a favorite type of jacket? Nylon? cotton? Other? My child wears underarmour t's to help keep cool. I like the idea of cotton, but it seems so bulky. With a plastron, t, jacket, lame, gauntlet, et al, it seems a bit much and binding. Any thoughts? (Thanks for all the great input.)

Make sure it all fits together. Think Matrushka or those nesting dolls. It is bulky but they get used to it.
They think it is kewl to wear all the stuff the big fencers wear.
The jackets that Absolute Fencing sells are pretty good. Amanda is great for fitting kids in good safe clothing.
Check her out at the next NAC.

[OMCEPKEN]

Keep it simple...sounds like you have all you need.
If your child demonstrates more interest, get some fencing shoes
You'll see a lot of vendors out there...so a good time to buy things a little large and which will last a year or two.

[brtech]

Also read this:
Advice from the Armory

[Icarrytheirgear]

Another thing I've seen happen to less experienced Y10 fencers and their parents at several SYRCs (and this will happen in NACs as well) is that their weapons are too big and get rejected, forcing the parents to have to purchase 2 brand new weapons. Y10s can only compete with size 0 or 2 blades only.

-ICTG