Obviously different schools of teaching out there, but are there recent (say past few years) foil tactical trends that high level FIE foil fencers generally tend to be embracing more (or less) these days?

Good day fellow fencers, I have recently (one month) restarted fencing, I played it for half a year before some almost 4 years ago (age 12 I think) but didn't know anything and had to learn the basics. Now that I'm back, my instructor really helped me put me back on track and I'm not really the only one here with lesser information, there's 3 who started back in January (we're only 6). And now in April we have been asked if we want to participate in a mini tournament, so I had to finish my matriculation in order to receive my sword and to be able to buy my suit. I've heard I can modify my suit a bit, but I don't know what I am allowed, so if somebody could give me some information, I would be really grateful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVlT6X16_xU

I have come to notice that lefties generally have pretty unique and "unorthodox" styles of fencing across all weapons. I personally find left handed epeeists to have the most unusual styles, saber fencers being 2nd and foilists being pretty usual but still kind of weird some times. I am not saying this to discredit their skill or say that they are "only good because of their awkward styles", but I rarely see an average left hander fencing just like a mirrored version of an average right hander, but instead with a completely unique style.

My sword randomly stopped working the barrel was loose so I tightened it thinking that would fix it but here I am asking Reddit what to do(wire works)all help appreciated BTW I’m pretty sure the screws in the tip are tightened I tried to tighten them so I hope they are.

There’s one last chance for a US fencer to qualify for Paris in men’s epee. We can send one fencer, is it the highest ranked in USA Fencing rankings or FIE?

Equipment inventory showing my age below, all FIE. I love the blades and they are all still in working order, most recently used in competition in 2018. But I'm inclined to get a couple of new ones and I'm on the fence about the mask. I feel that the jacket and knickers still provide the needed protection and as far as I know, there are no specific rules limiting the age of equipment. Thoughts?

Jacket 2017 Mask 2010 Nickers 2009 Weapons: (4) from 2006, (1) from 2008

I'm also seeking a good Epee club to fence at at least once a month within 3 hours of Huntsville, AL. I will definitely try to fence more often if the club is closer but one good day a month of ample open bouting (2-3 hours with 8-10 different fencers, at least half of which are C+ rated or have equivalent skillsets) will suffice for now. If 1.5 hours away or less, weekday open bouting is doable. More than 1.5 hours away, weekend bouting will be needed. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Hi,

First things first I’m pretty new to the sport, to make that clear. I have been having trouble getting in on a fencer in my club for single lights because he has been really reliably stop hitting my arm, usually on the inside. Tried going for more second intention attacks, had some success with that but often just got stop hit anyway during the first part of my attack, so he gets a single light which sucks. Curious if there’s a mixup I could be playing there that I’m not, some option I’m missing there generally. The fact that I know he’s going to choose a certain option makes me feel like I should be able to beat it, but so far no real luck.

Any tips/suggestions appreciated!

For example, should I always be looking to put higher numbers on my squats/ sprints/ box jumps etc? Or should I just “maintain” after a certain arbitrary point where I feel like it’s decent?

My daughter left her foil lying on top of her bag to go check in and in the five minutes she was gone, her foil disappeared. I’d like to think that someone picked it up mistakenly, so if anyone finds a random lefty foil with a pink felt guard protector in their bag, I’d gladly pay for shipping to have it returned.

Do fencers get national points in Div 1A? If so, where do the points get added (Do they get added to Senior points list and/or Junior points list)? TIA

I just realized that the April NAC check-in times are posted. Does USAfencing send an email blast about posted check-in times? If so, I did not receive it or it is lost in my numerous emails. How do people find out when the check-in times are posted? Are we supposed to just check the website periodically? Thank you!!

Welcome to a weekly discussion thread.

Feel free to ask questions or discuss anything about fencing, especially questions that might not warrant their own thread.

Have questions about starting? About shoes? About whether you're too old to start (you're not)? This is the place to ask!

Does anyone have any good drills recommendations for footwork and blade-work that I can do at home alone? Thank you!

I was at a tournament yesterday and I learned that my mask bib had a huge dead spot on it at the weapon check and she told me to put a retro fit bib on it and I have no idea how to do that also, I have an absolute non-FIE foil mask

(edit I also have a tournament in two weeks so I need to get this done kind of fast. Also, don’t know how to sew very well)

My life has had a sudden shift in plans—I may fly to the US and start community college early. If it all plays out, it’s going to be in ~3 months. It’s not very finalized, the only thing that’s scheduled is my GED.

I love my club, my coach, and fencing :( so I’m extremely sad to be leaving. I’ll still be trying to fence competitively, but it’s on such short notice.

My mother says to not tell my coach until it’s finalized, and that he might treat me different because of it. But I feel like given the time we have left + the goals we’ve set, that I should tell him and that maybe I can achieve something and get more closure before I leave.

Should I tell him or is it too early?

Edit: coach and I have built a strong connection, fencing/coach is one of the only things I’ll really miss about leaving :p

Having returned back to fencing after a 4 year hiatus (2019-2023), I feel so out of shape that it’s beyond atrocious.

Given its competitive nature, emotions can easily amp up for everyone involved: fencers, refs, spectators, etc. That’s one of my biggest disadvantages when I approach fencing. And once my emotional state is compromised, I lose the battle period. It’s no good to feel like this both on and off the piste.

I want to hear from you about your experience with this, the kinds of emotions that disrupted your time, and how to healthily deal with such emotional compromises. Pret, aller.

Currently I just transport my Sabre in a hard tube (PBT one) in hand alongside my kit in a gym bag. Currently it’s getting a bit tedious and I would like to be able to transport it alongside my backpack and gym bag while at uni.

When I’m just going to a comp/training without going to uni first I might be able to just bring my stuff in a 70L rucksack (Sabre poking out the top). But this isn’t viable most of the time as I normally go fencing after uni.

Any rec for weapon bags/sheathes?

Also has anyone had experience of adding a shoulder sling onto a hard tube/pvc tube

In T16, HKC was defeated by China in their almost must win rubber by a large margin, 33:45.

In T8, China ousted the World No.1 Korea by a small margin of 45:43— Their world no 66 somehow managed to defeat World no5 Song Sera by 6:4, and sent HKC out of Paris.

That means, Vivien Kong will be the sole HK representative in Women’s epee in Paris, just like Cheung Ka Long in Men’s foil. Hsieh, the World no. 19, will not be in Paris, just like Ryan Choi, the World no 18 in Men’s foil.

When I watch incredibly fast fencers such as Park Sangyong and Kano Koki parry, especially parry second, I am bewildered by the speed in which they are able move their hand. Lately, I have been trying to employ similar parries with a much slower movement, and was wondering how they are able to move so fast? Are there any helpful drills?

About this whole scandal, Nazlymov, Fikrat, Milenchev, Kuwait dude, a whole slew of referees that are obviously being paid off… Like I’m just your average joe fencer. I’m not some bit shot with a ton of clout. I don’t have a dog in the fight. I’m just… a concerned samaritan really. Is there anything I can do? How can I help this sport? I feel… powerless… I share the videos… I support the creators… But bringing attention to the matter isn’t gonna solve it- it’s just the first step. What’s the next step? What Can I Do? What can WE do other than talk about it? Write a letter to FIE? To USFA? What’s something actionable? I just wanna help our sport…

I've read here numerous times that many of the branded foil blades from Allstar, Uhlmann, Absolute, and many others all come from BF in France.

That makes sense but I am wondering if there is any reason at all to ever pay the extra amount for the branded versions. For example compare an unwired BF Allstar at $120 vs $104 for the bare BF on thefencingpost.

I am wondering if somehow there is a greater likelihood of defects or imperfections when buying the BF bare blades

Hi! I’m a (newbie and ignorant!) mom of a fencer who asked me an interesting question today that I wanted to pick this community’s mind on: we have multiple passports ( UK, Irish, US and Israel), which of these countries would be easiest/easier to compete with on the international level if Olympics is the ultimate dream?

I’ve also tried to research very briefly how the qualification system works and have had a hard time finding anything beyond the U.S. one.

Thank you in advance! I know this is maybe a silly question and very much a cart before the horse, but my son asked and I want to do all I can to encourage his big dreams.

Hi,

Is there a video that shows how certain calls in saber have evolved over the last decade to favor the hand and not the foot?

I'm setting up a practice sabre for my friend's birthday, and the idea dawned on me to get crafty and make a custom guard pad. Any suggestions as to a type of material to use? Just thick felt?

Is it true the olympic qualification period runs only until April 1st, 2024?? Was really rooting for Hong Kong to qualify a team but haven't been able to follow fencing much the past few months due to a busy schedule. I just checked the rankings today and they are behind China 😭

Is this solid then?? Even though there is still the Hong Kong world cup and continental championships, no more team matches that could turn this around? :(

Hi there, I was wondering if theres anywhere in Canada that would retrofit the newer mask straps?

My foil mask barely passed inspection during the OUAs last week and they told me I would need to either order a new mask or get it retrofitted.