En Garde!
AttackAttack
According to fencing.net, "Attack" is the name of the the initial offensive action. You extend your sword arm and continuously threaten the valid target of the opponent.
CloseRecreational or Competitive?
I have met fencers from ages 6 through 80. Most clubs welcome all different levels of expertise and intensity.
Recreational – Recreational fencing is usually fenced “dry,” meaning without any electric equipment. It is a great way to keep in shape and fine tune your reflexes and muscles.
Competitive – Competitive fencing uses electric equipment, and requires a more
intensive training. Fencers must also wear body cords, mask cords (sabre) and lames (foil and sabre).
How do you train your mind in fencing?
67% Focus on your breath
33% Describe your response
to a situation
0% Tie a tight rope
around your head
Electric EquipmentElectric foils and épées have buttons on the tips and wires running through them that connect to a scoring machine that beeps when a fencer has made a touch.
I explain these pieces of equipment later in this article when I talk about gear.
CloseCosts
Fencing is fun, but it is also quite expensive.
Club Memberships—Membership costs range from $70 to $200 per month. It depends on how often classes are held and how often payments are due. Look for clubs in your area and try to find one with a reasonable price.
A much cheaper alternative to joining a private club is to find a few friends and
start your own club at your school or at a local community center. This takes some organizing, but it eliminates membership costs.
Start Your Own Club
Tips for starting your own fencing club:
1. Find several friends who are also interested in fencing.
2. Find someone with some fencing experience who can help instruct the club. This is not absolutely necessary, but will be helpful. If you can’t find anyone, you can get an instructional video or watch fencing online.
3. Talk to your principal or someone at your community center about reserving a gym or large room for practicing.
4. Buy equipment. You can buy your own or all chip in for a few sets for the club. Your school may be able to pay for some of this, or you can try to find a sponsor for your club. See the “gear” section of the article for more information on what you will need.
5. Start fencing!Close Gear—Fencing gear can be quite expensive, and some components 
What kind of gear will you need to wear?Retailers Sell Gear OnlineI mentioned that almost all fencing retailers sell gear exclusively online. Here are a few examples:
Closebreak often, but the gear is needed to make sure you stay safe. After all, you’re playing with metal swords!
Beginners can find starter kits for around $120. A kit like this will last for a year or two for most beginner fencers. Almost all fencing retailers sell gear exclusively online.
If you decide to join a club you may be able to borrow much of the equipment, eliminating that cost.
What Kind of Gear to Wear?
Protective gloves
Your protective equipment (uniform) has several components, but the mask is the most important. Masks cost $40 and up.
In addition to a mask, you'll need:
- Jacket: Jackets are $30 and up. A fencing jacket is usually made out of two layers of thick cotton in order to protect you from the blade.
- Plastron: This piece of cloth goes under your jacket and provides an extra layer of protection in case you jacket seam breaks: $15 and up.
- Gloves: These can be $10 and up. Fencing gloves are usually made of leather (for good grip) with padding on the back for protection.
- Knickers: These are fencing pants. They're very similar to baseball pants, which are a cheap and easy substitute for fencing pants. If you don't compete, it's fine to fence in sweatpants or warm-up pants. Knickers are $30 and up.
- Socks: You must wear long socks with knickers. You can use baseball or soccer socks or buy fencing ones for $5 to $10.
- Shoes: Any lightweight athletic shoe will work fine for fencing. Those with rolled backs are best, but not necessary. If you plan to fence competitively, it is a good idea to buy a pair of fencing shoes which cost about $40 or more.
- Lamé: This is a special lightweight metal vest that Foil and Sabre fencers must wear at competitions. Lamés last for about 1 to 2 years. They range from $60 to $200.
CloseBesides
what you wear,
What You Wear
Full gear, seen from the rear
Closeyou'll need
other equipment: blades, weapons, body cords, and repair tools.
Other Equipment
You'll need repair tools
Besides what you wear, you'll need:
Blades: Blades come in two varieties: electric (for competitions) and non-electric (for practice or recreation). Every fencer should have at least two blades because they occasionally break.
Weapons: Competitive fencers, especially Foil fencers, should have anywhere from 3 to 7 weapons. This is because electric weapons have many parts that can malfunction. Non-electric blades cost $20 to $50 and electric ones cost $40 to $200. I usually go through 5 to 8 blades a year, and spend $60 per blade.
Body cords: You only need body cords for competitive fencing. You use them to connect your weapon to the scoring machine. They cost $15 to $30. Competitive fencers should have at least two body cords in case one breaks.
Repair tools: If you belong to a club, your coach may provide repair tools and equipment, or may fix your equipment for you. Competitive fencers should know how to make simple repairs on their weapons. Eaglenet provides information about how each weapon works and how to make repairs.
Common tools include a small screwdriver, wrenches, extra tape for the tip of your weapon, and other spare parts.
CloseGet Involved!
Whether it’s to just try playing with real swords or because you like the strategy of the sport, give fencing a try.
What started out for me as a cool hobby grew into a passion, and I hope it will with you too.
Seek out a local club or start your own, and soon you will be turning to everyone around you saying, "En Garde!" inviting them to fence with you.En Garde!
"En Garde" is French for "On Guard."Close
True or False: At a White House party when Jackson was president, guests once ate a 1400 lb. wheel of cheese in less than two hours.
Click Andrew's head for the answer.
TRUE: Jackson had lots of parties at the White House that were open to the public. The White House smelled of cheese for weeks after this party.
contributed by
Linus
age 18
Madison, WI
02/01/10
12/07/09
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