Fencing Competitions

Fencing competitions can be weird and stressful events, but also places where you can look back on some excellent fencing and achieving more than you thought possible. The following is some advice assembled from various fencers on the web such as Reddit (plus a bit of personal experience!).

Fencing

General Advice

There's two main areas that most advice tends to centre around: warming up effectively before a bout and psychological stability during the bouts and the competition in general.

Fencer's Edge

Coach Tyler has short video that covers basics and is well worth watching.

Pre-Competition Preparation

Make sure you have the requisite kit and spares that you need, and you meet the entrance criteria (and have the necessary membership). See our page on entry requirements if you're not sure.

Test any equipment to make sure it works and passes the offical parameters. Our wonderful club armourer generally does this with all club kit that is being borrowed to ensure it's tournament-legal.

Get some rest before the competition and settle yourself in a good mental state. Ensure you know where and when you are fencing, so you don't arrive stressed and rushed.

Make sure you have drinks and snacks to keep yourself going. Bringing a spare T-shirt or two can be good as it can feel better changing into a fresh, non-sweaty top before going into Direct Eliminations.

Make sure you can identify your kitbag easily. People tend to have the same colour bags from the same suppliers, so feel free to personalise it so you know where your stuff is.

Set a realistic objective with the help of your coach.

Before the Competition Begins

Make sure you are registered and know where you will be fencing, or what time you will be required.

Warm up! Have a few bouts with a friend or another competitor if they are agreeable. Not only does this get you at peak performance level for your bouts, it will also help you avoid injury in an environment where you can often push yourself past limits without realising.

If you have no-one to spar with use 'shadow fencing'. Your brain doesn't know the difference between something happening in real life and something you are visualising, so it's all good practice and preparation.

Whilst Fencing

Make sure you have fun. No-one ever gets rich fencing, so you might as well enjoy your time on the piste!

Don't panic about inactvity/passivity warnings . . . don't try and hurry a fight if you are leading.

Breathe. Adrenalin and high heart rate are great partners at hijacking your brain and helping you make bad decisions. Take long, slow deep breaths in and out between points to stay calm.

If you are being hit consistently, there is a good chance your opponent has spotted a weakness or pattern they are exploiting. If you don't know what it is, change things! Timing, distance, tempo, parrying, line of attack, aggression, etc.

Opponents will sometimes disrupt your rhythm with shouts after a hit, asking for pauses, equipment changes or querying decisions. This might be deliberate, especially if you are on a scoring streak. The only person who can let this affect you, is you. Go to your 'happy place', congratulate yourself on your last hit, take whatever delay there is to your own advantage: shake out your legs, formulate a new strategy, wave to your Mum, whatever.

Don't get annoyed on a bad call or losing a point. We're all human and make mistakes. 100% of our attacks will not land, and sometimes opponents will get a lucky hit. You're already fencing one opponent out there, you don't need to beat yourself up and being your own enemy.

Don't rush in Direct Elimination bouts - you have enough time to figure out what is working and what isn't.

If rules and permissions allow, try and get a friend or relative to film your fights. Useful for analysis and training later.

In Between Bouts

Stay hydrated and keep your energy levels up with snacks. Be careful with food, you don't want to eat so much you feel nauseous while fencing (adrenalin chokes off the blood supply to your stomach & intestines).

If you are warmed up, stay warm. Move about, keep a towel over your head. Don't let your self get cold and cramped before your next fight.

Never mope about lost bouts. Keep a positive energy level.

Watch the other fencers when you are not fighting. See if you can analyse their game and figure out how they score hits, or if there any weaknesses or gaps you can take advantage of. Even if you can't think of a strategy, being familiar with an opponent's style will improve your confidence as you will know what to expect.

After the Competition

Do be civil and congratulate people, even if you are disappointed. You can often pick up great advice with post-match friendly chats with other fencers. Maybe they had better results with an opponent you struggled with, and can provide some useful insight.

Review your performance objectively and constructively.

Did you meet your objective? Did you set one?

What worked well?

What did you have issues with? What needs work for next time?

What is your revised objective for the next competition? What help do you need to achieve it?