Im a epee fencer, but often I have to referee foil (U13/U11), because my club doesn’t really have foil referees. I’d say I’m descent but sometimes I don’t see the stuff that happening. So do you have any tips for a blind epee fencer that has to referee foil?

I have never seen anything more cursed than this.

I’m short. 4’11 short. My coach has begun to teach me how to flick. While I know it’s possible to flick upward, even sitting down, is it a skill set that would be a good investment? Or would it be better off for me to learn the concept and focus on existing skills? Coach says it’s a tool, and up to me to develop.

Not sure if this is a determinate but I’m female, 16, above average strength, average or below reeee you finger control/strength.

In addition, any recommendations for short fencers that flick? Or experiences? Thanks :)

Edit: yes, I agree. I am willing and want to learn how to do it + as a concept. Rather, I’m on the edge of trying to master it to a point where I can effectively use it during bouts, versus just “knowing” how to do it.

I took one class long ago. At that time/place, we just wore sweatpants and vest/mask.

I have tentatively committed to taking fencing again to combat my sedentary tendencies (and yes, for fun).

But... there's the rub. I'm told I'll need knickers - which is fine - but I have gained a truly enormous amount of weight since then. (5'10", 315 lbs)

Looking at knickers online... am I just too damn fat to take fencing? (It's OK to say yes, lol.)

Any advice welcome.

Thanks! Hal

Just became the chairman of our fencing club. At present we train once a week in a school gym that’s actually too small for more than 4 or so full-sized pistes. We’d love to also have a bar or concession stand or something.

What kinds of places/businesses/other clubs could we look at renting in the evening? (For instance, dance schools)

(Based in Continental Europe)

My wife used to fence in highschool (15 years ago) and now she's teaching at a middle school. They're starting a fencing program and she told them she was interested in an assistant coach position. She just found out not only is she going to be head coach, they want her to create a program from the ground up. They also want her to give them a list of all the equipment they need to start the program. She has no idea where to even begin. Any tips or info on equipment or where to start would be great.

Happy Fencing Friday, an /r/Fencing tradition.

Welcome back to our weekly ask anything megathread where you can feel free to ask whatever is on your mind without fear of being called a moron just for asking. Be sure to check out all the previous megathreads as well as our sidebar FAQ.

I've been trying to learn the why of the scoring in foil for 2 years now and am consistently unable to make much sense of actions like the one here: https://youtu.be/tlVsttDFezs?t=1046

• FOL advances while FOR retreats
• FOL - comes to a stop and does a backhanded beat while FOR simultaneously parries/beats with forehand
• FOL then immediately does a short lunge for a touch
• FOR waits a moment then extends her arm for a touch a bit after
• Point awarded to FOR

If I want to justify the call after the fact I would say that FOR forehand beat (or parry, I dont know) was slightly stronger than the backhanded one from FOL and therefor took priority and had a full fencing time tempo to land a touch with that priority.

My problem is that in realtime I can never make such an assessment clearly, and in situations like these it seems like whoever makes blade contact with forehanded motion always "looks" like the more aggressive action, even though both fencers are basically just checking each others' blades and hoping the ref thinks they looked more aggressive than their opponent before they go for a touch.

Is there more to this?

What the title says. I don’t have much hope of winning so I’m just going for experience and fun. Though any tips would be appreciated.

I can see the other medalists from a recent SYC have updated points, but my ranking doesn’t show my newest points. Who can I connect with to change it?

Are Belgian grips competition legal?

Hello all! I was inspecting my weapons today and noticed that the bottom of one of my buttons looks like it’s broken off. Is this something that I should look into replacing in case of getting carded for a broken weapon in tournament? Thank you

I’ve seen this question asked before but the posts are pretty outdated. I was just wondering if there was anyone that got charged duty fees when ordering gear from the Leon Paul Canada website. Ty!

Hey y’all, Just thought I’d ask if anybody has a rolling bag they’d be willing to sell, and that we could make a deal on… if you do just message me

I looked all over for used roller bags, but couldn’t find any, and can’t justify paying $200-300 on a new one 😭

I belong to a club at university and many of our members stated fencing at university. Usually, they start with foil and move on to epee or sabre (or maybe stick with foil) a few months later. I think starting with foil is best because foil has both characteristics of epee and sabre making it easier to change weapons. But some of my club members suggested epee since there is no right of way. I know it would be best if people could choose which discipline to start with, but usually, beginners have no idea of fencing at all.

Which weapon would you guys suggest to beginners and why? Please note that these beginners are university students and not young kids.

Hello all! I’m from a college in Boston, and our fencing club recently chose not to rehire our current coach. We are desperately looking for a new coach for next year. This isn’t really an advertisement, but I was looking for advice on maybe how to find possible coaches?

Thank you for any advice!!

I have a new maraging blade and no matter how much force I use I cannot get it to bend in the vice. I've done this plenty of times before with non-maraging blades with no issue, is there a trick with maraging blades or just more force or heat or something?

I'm looking for a new glove, and hoping (but doubting) something exists that I'm not aware of.

I've used the Allstar Gripstar forever. They last a decent amount of time before I chew through them, and they have great grippiness in the palm and fingers. But man are they bulky!

I recently got some Carmimari "Boss" gloves, and really wanted to love them. The fit is fantastic, shaped like a hand, tight through the fingers, minimal padding. OK grippiness but not great. I got three of them and chewed through them in as many months, so not really worthwhile.

What I really want is a "Boss" with the grippiness and durability of the Gripstar. I don't think such a thing exists, but I'm hoping it does! Anyone run across something exotic I may not have come across? I'm not interested in leather or suede, neither is grippy enough.

Hi, I’m a high school student athlete. I am homeschooled so I don’t the the luxury of school gyms. I want to improve my fencing skills so I was looking for open gyms that allows fencing. Im in SoCal cali however I’m wondering if indoor sports parks will allow me to practice or even colleges near me.. I will email them or maybe even walk in and ask. I know there is open gym times at fencing clubs however there not in my area. Could you give me some tips to combat this? Thanks!

Edit: i do go to a club 2-3 time a week but I’m kinda broke to get more practice time. So I’m looking for alternatives

https://youtube.com/shorts/AqrjHxkbnPk?si=5afQK9fpoyg3Xs2t

My understanding was that in the air over the boundary was still over the boundary.

No?