About Fencing...

[Late]

My school does not offer a Fencing Club; and well, I have not been in a sports team ever since a decade ago. I am sixteen now, and let myself go a bit since my little league soccer team. Recently though, I happened to read about European duels.
I, of course, know this is not practiced anymore in that certain way (or at least I hope). And I got really interested in this sport. I started to watch a few matches (though I'm still clueless in so much), and I was wondering if it would be alright if I begun even if I'm a bit "late" for this sport. The gracefulness I saw made me wish I could move with such agility, and the French phrases that they said just made me feel a bit comfortable about a civilized and honest match.
I think this is the sport for me; but I'm not sure. I'm a junior in high school now; and there is a school nearby where I live. Even my 14 year-old sister got interested in it. And well, along with the interest came some questions.

I believe it will be fun for me, but would it also be for my sister?
How time consuming is it? Both daily practice and yearly progress? I'm willing to use as much time as possible; but I have other classes as well.
How many "levels" are there? How are you identified in each one? (I know I'm a beginner)
Will it make me "fitter"? I'm not a sphere or anything, but I'd like it to prevent that; I did running on my own, but that was not that fun.
Any tips overall (weapon choice, equipment purchases, etc.)

I don't mean to bombard with questions; but fencing piqued my interest and I think I should go for it if I truly believe it goes with me. And even if I don't like it at the end (I hope not); I wonder if my sister would like it.

Thanks.

[Qbranch]

Welcome to the forum! Fencing is a great sport for people of all ages and you are certainly not too old to start. I would recommend that you and your sister find the nearest club and try it out asap. You will either find that it is not what you expected or, like the rest of us here, become so addicted that you will never look back!

I'm going to assume that you're in the U.S. so you may want to look at the United States Fencing Association website for more detailed info on the sport. The search function on this website will also be helpful in answering many questions as you go along.

Fencing will absolutely help to keep you in shape (both physically and mentally) so plunge right in and have fun...

... and remember to fence foil... not epee or sabre... foil.

[Late]

Thanks

I won't be able to go to the club until autumn unfortunately, but I was wondering if I could "absorb" some information before I go.

Oh, and yes, I do live in the U.S. Sorry for omitting that detail.

[thekoby]

It is never too late to start fencing. I did not start until I was 19 and a freshman at college.

To answer your question about "levels", you can earn ratings by going to tournaments, and some tournaments will also give you points that will be applied to divisional and world circuits. There are several posts on here talking about different ratings (A being the highest, E the lowest, and U being unrated). Other than that, there is no progression in "levels". Despite that I have been fencing for 7 (going on 8) years, I am still a beginner on a lot of levels.

As for time consuming, it all depends on how much time you want to put into it. I practice 1-2 hours a night, 3 nights a week with my college club while other members in my club only practice 30 minutes a night, 1 night a week. The more time you put into learning how to fencer, the more fun it will become.

For weapons, and I can't believe I'm saying this because I fence epee, but go with Foil. It's what most people start out on. Browse through the Armory Q&A threads for topics about vendors (i.e. Leon Paul, USA; Blue Gauntlet; American Fencer Supply), but I would suggest holding off on buying equipment until you talk to a club and find one that suits you. That way you can try on some jackets and masks they may have so you know what size to get and to also make sure that fencing is truely a sport your willing to invest in (a beginner's set is around $150 from BG).

[whiteandbluefencer]

Yeah, this sport is all about how much you put into it. You can do it just for fun, and that's fine... you can go all out too, and that's just fine. You have to decide what you want to get out of it, and then work towards that. And as always, it's never too late to start... started in college myself! Bon chance!

[TBean]

You can take up the sport at anytime. If your sister is interested as well there is no reason for her not to try - as a woman I can tell you I enjoy the sport very, very much.

Fencing, you get what you put in. The first step for you is to locate a program near to you so you can begin classes. You will gather the other information over time and as you progress in terms of competition, equipment needed etc. For most programs to begin with all you need are sneakers and appropriate work-out clothes - they will either provide what else you need (in the short run) and inform you about what you will need to purchase. The United States Fencing Association web-site is a good place to start in terms of looking for a place to take lessons. There are forum members from all over the country, so once you identify a club or program near to you folks will be able to tell you more about it.

Good luck.

[Got_Fenced_In]

Well, since everything else here seems to be taken care of, I'm going to say the one thing everyone else nearly forgot:

Welcome to this crazy place called fnet I'm pretty close in age to you, so maybe we'll chat sometime, eh?

[Late]

Thanks everyone for answering questions on this topic.
I have set up a try-out around the following week; they said they'd call me back.
I am kinda exited, but also worried since I haven't done a sport in a long time. Yet, I have this weird yearning for it.
Well, thanks again to you all.
And I'd love to speak to you Got Fenced In

[Inquartata]

go with Foil. It's what most people start out on.

Argumentum ad numerum fallacy. What is most often done is not necessarily what is best. Numbers are no guide.

We have had this argument many times before. There is nothing that you can learn with a foil in your hand that you cannot learn with a sabre or epee in it, except for things specific to foil. The only reasons "most people start out on" foil are coaches pushing them to do so because that's how THEY learned or because they are most comfortable teaching foil...and fencers telling them the same thing because it's how they were taught or because it's what they've always heard.

If you want to fence foil, start with foil. If not, start with whatever weapon beckons you. If you truly have no preference, flip a coin...

But be aware that foil is eternal frustration. Even when you do it well you will not be happy.

[Neinteen]

Foil is eternal salvation.

[the ancient one]

Argumentum ad numerum fallacy. What is most often done is not necessarily what is best. Numbers are no guide.
..."

My logic professor taught it this way: "Eat "poo"; 756 Billion flies can't be wrong."

[Rabid Monk]

Welcome to FNET.

It's already been pointed out that you get out of fencing what you put into it.

I'm just going to add on addendum to that:
Don't feel pressured to put lots of work into fencing just to be good. Especially if you just want to have fun. You don't need to suspend your social life, or other hobbies and interests. I fence once (sometimes twice) a week during the school season (September to May).
I am not a high-performance fencer. Never had the chance when I started. And having been fencing for about 8 years, I don't know if I would be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to go high-performance. I just have fun.


I fence all three weapons, but I do prefer foil, perhaps because I started with it. So I'm not going to tell you what weapon to fence. I do recommend, however, that you try them all out initially (at a club open house or something) and see which one you like best.
Then stick with that one until you get the basics down. Or at least, do the majority of your fencing with it and all you drills/lessons.


A final note: Don't get discouraged. There is a steep initial learning curve as you try to sort out where to put all your body parts as well as trying to keep track of distance, timing, your blade, your opponent's blade, and everything else.
That information overload, coupled with the boring drills (especially the endless footwork) to tend to wear down on newcomers, and many leave after a few months because it's too much. It gets easier, trust me.



So, welcome to the forum.
Enjoy fencing (your are most definately not too old (you're 16, for crying out loud! You not old, you're a kid!)

Oh, and before I forget: Your sister should enjoy it too, if she's interested.

[Late]

Thanks everyone.

Today is my first "try-out lesson" and they already told me that they would lend me a foil.

Though all that I really understand is that the places you hit on the body are different.
Well, hopefully I will learn.

Wish me luck today.
I will post how it went either today or tomorrow. Then I guess I'll be posting around here if I end up deciding to stick with it (which I hope).

Thanks.

[thisissparta514]

Oh, and yes, I do live in the U.S. Sorry for omitting that detail.

Which state do you live in?

[Late]

Which state do you live in?

I live in Massachusetts. Only about 3 hours from New York City by automobile.

[Inquartata]

Today is my first "try-out lesson" and they already told me that they would lend me a foil.

Do they already hate you THAT much?

Oh, well, it could be worse. They could be offering to GIVE you one!

[Neinteen]

North Korea, South Korea, MARYLN MONROE.

[Late]

Sorry for not answering quickly. Ummm... I liked fencing, buit it came out costly at $150 monthly. :/ I have yet to talk about my sister with the money problems since she liked it too. I don't know.
Thanks everyone for helping me get my interest further.