Parent's Guide to Fencing

[Craig]

Here is the URL - You can download the file directly there or sign up for the fencing.net email newsletter.

Parent's Guide to Fencing

This is our "version 1.0" so we'll be taking comments from parents on what other content to add to the document to increase the value to the new fencing parent over time.

Cheers,
Craig

[Phincer]

Excellent Craig!

Under the "Tournament Checklist", you might want to add "Waiver". For our division and section we are required to fill in a waiver.

This is SO much better than the USFA Parent Info-much more complete.

[Fencing Mom]

Very Good! Not only comprehensive, but also written in an easy-to-understand conversational style.

[oso97]

An HTML version that could be linked to directly, with the option to download the complete file in PDF would be helpful as well.

[Phincer]

I also just noticed that in the description of DEs, you describe a 15 point DE. You might want to include a description of the IBK (itty bitty kid) DEs- the Y10 and Y12 format (best two out of three five point bouts).

[duel mom]

You might add a paragraph about being Squire to your son or daughter including some armory tips, being water-bearer, and proper strip-side deportment.

I didn't care for the B & W grungy mask photo. Photograph a new mask.

You might explain double touches in Epee.

In some places the writer switched from second to third person voice, its confusing.

The document needs some forced page breaks to keep the subheadings continuous.

I like your arrows as bullet points. But you also use bullets too which I think look like black holes in the document. Stick with the arrows throughout.

[Phincer]

Originally Posted by duel mom

I didn't care for the B & W grungy mask photo. Photograph a new mask.

I totally disagree. The first and only time a mask is shiny pretty is when it comes out of the bag. It goes downhill fast from there on. Why disillusion the new parents? This is fencing, not figure skating. Keep the inside of the mask clean and let the outside be what it is-a record of the hard work your fencer is putting in to excel at his/her chosen sport.

We have two masks that have been retired. They are disgusting and totally beautiful to me. Every inch of dirt and grunge represent hours and hours and hours of hard work my son has put in to get where he is. Both are covered in stamps that chronicle every tournament he's ever fenced in.

They represent every victory and every defeat he's had in this sport. And the fact that he's been through two masks represents his total dedication to becoming a better fencer.

[Craig]

Thanks for the comments. We are keeping this thread bookmarked for adding on for future revisions.

We'll also be looking to add more checklists as pdf downloads (as referenced in the "Checklists" thread.)

If you have any other "guides" that would be useful, email me or PM me and we'll see about getting them on the editorial calendar.

Thanks!
Craig

[Mo]

Originally Posted by Fencing Mom

Very Good! Not only comprehensive, but also written in an easy-to-understand conversational style.

I completely agree with Fencing Mom. I didn't even notice the things that others pointed out.
I also like the way Craig gave gentle pointers for new parents but didn't go overboard. Had I written it, the entire thing would have been slightly cynical (ok majorly cynical) and full of WATCH OUTS.
Craig's method of description won't scare people away.

THe MOMSTER

[occasionalfencer]

Originally Posted by Mo

I completely agree with Fencing Mom. I didn't even notice the things that others pointed out.
I also like the way Craig gave gentle pointers for new parents but didn't go overboard. Had I written it, the entire thing would have been slightly cynical (ok majorly cynical) and full of WATCH OUTS.
Craig's method of description won't scare people away.

THe MOMSTER

You mean, like "Watch out, your kid might be fantastically good, mind bogglingly good, and so you have to travel all over the world for fencing?" This is a warning no one will take heed of. Just ask yourself, what if someone had said that to you a few years ago.

[brtech]

I think you need to add more to the tournaments section. Specifically, you should add information about check-in, strip assignments, FOC and armorers. This is the thing you get the most confused about as a new fencing parent. In the club, the instructors usually lead everyone through what is needed, but when you get to a competition, there isn't someone out front offering to be your
fencing concierge. It's bewildering, and small errors get kids in situations they are really unhappy about.

I think you also lost a golden opportunity. You could point out, again, that throwing things down and stomping your foot gets you a black card, arguing with the ref, or breaking the rules gets you a red card... Suggest that parents invest in a set of cards for similar situations around the house.

[Fencing Mom]

Originally Posted by brtech

Suggest that parents invest in a set of cards for similar situations around the house.

But do we have to wear the blue blazers and gray pants?

[parrythis]

Originally Posted by brtech

I think you also lost a golden opportunity. You could point out, again, that throwing things down and stomping your foot gets you a black card, arguing with the ref, or breaking the rules gets you a red card... Suggest that parents invest in a set of cards for similar situations around the house.

Displaying colored cards to punish a child? Heh, I am thinking that you've probably never actually been a parent.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Fencing Mom

But do we have to wear the blue blazers and gray pants?

What's the hand signal for "stop hitting your brother"?

[dcmdale]

Originally Posted by Craig

What's the hand signal for "stop hitting your brother"?

Lift and sit in corner. [Variants exist.]

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by Craig

What's the hand signal for "stop hitting your brother"?

Two alternatives:

* Hold one hand out to your side at slightly above shoulder level (to make sure it's well visible to the spectators behind you). Hit the palm of that hand with the palm of the other hand.

* Take one hand and smack your temple with it.

In either case this should then be followed with the presentation of the card and appropriate verbal signal ("carton juane: avertissment" or "carton rouge: allez à votre pièce").

-B

[keith]

Originally Posted by Craig

What's the hand signal for "stop hitting your brother"?

depends whether or not the action is in time I suppose.

[Mo]

Originally Posted by occasionalfencer

You mean, like "Watch out, your kid might be fantastically good, mind bogglingly good, and so you have to travel all over the world for fencing?" This is a warning no one will take heed of. Just ask yourself, what if someone had said that to you a few years ago.

There is sooo much more to it than a skill level. The issue is what you give up for your kid to be in a sport like fencing.
For one thing it is very small, everyone knows everyone else, and there are too many people in your business most of the time.
Another is, when you get to a certain level, you are more or less trapped in a club. If there are people in the club who chose to make your life miserable, say someone who controls the club and your child can win over their kid in a competition, that can be seriously bad.
We have had more heartache and tears because of the schedules we have to adhere to so the kid can make the team. This year is a good example, there just isn't enough time in a day.
I am not trying to be flippant or gloat but everything comes with a cost. My daughter comes home at night in tears from exhaustion most of the time and still has hours of home work. She budgets her time very well but most days there are not enough hours in the day.
Again, be careful what you wish for.
I think Emily Jacobson was so wise for making fencing her past time and going for college full time. Sometimes it is what you have to do to survive.
This fall has been very difficult, the kiddo is applying to college, this year's travel schedule is insane, she will be leaving homefor college in a year, and all she does is get on airplanes and travel.
She has a boyfriend and a home life that gets neglected.
For what?
A shot at the Olympics where a ref can determine a bout?
The Olympics are a simple DE format. You have to go through years of crap and for what? Three minutes and you're out?
I don't think it is worth it, financially or emotionally, but my kid does. So we support her.
The Momster

[bbugiii]

Mo,
It is so true that a good thing can go to an extreme that is difficult to feel positive about, I do not doubt that the joy of watching her fencing improve at the beginning is now overshadowed by the pressure of being on top now. I hope that the pride we all take in your daughter's talent and positive representation of our country offer some measure of comfort when times are truely bad. Remember "this too shall pass". I hope that when all is said and done there will be several choice experiences and memories that your family will hold on to with smiles.

BBugiii's Mom

[brtech]

Originally Posted by parrythis

Displaying colored cards to punish a child? Heh, I am thinking that you've probably never actually been a parent.

On the contrary I have four kids, three of which fence.