Fencing lessons..

I found out that there is a fencing club down in Lawrence and my 12 year old daughter is interested. They ask that you take an intro class that is offered through the Rec center but taught at the club so she's signed up for that.
What I am wondering is what should she/we expect to encounter in a basic fencing intro class?

She has been doing Tae Kwan Do, (ATA version..) for the last 3 years and is in pretty good shape. I am guessing that fencing will require conditioning as well as quickness so any suggestions on exercises she could be doing to get ready would be appreciated.

 

An intro to fencing class shouldn't be too physically demanding, especially if she's already in good shape from other martial arts. I would also be willing to bet that an intro class is more interested in teaching the safety and basics while having fun than being a real in depth class. Expect to get a quick intro to the basic equipment, stances, and blocks/attacks, and then do a bit of fencing yourself.

I don't think she would really need to do any exercises to get ready, but if you really wanted to I would think that balance, and lunging/recovering from the lunges would be the best thing you could practice.

 

The T foot placement and such will be familiar territory for anyone who's done Tae Kwn Do forms, she's good to go.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments and input.

 

Any introduction to a new sport is going to hold a kids interest for at least while. I'd recommend (as a father myself) letting her borrow equipment for a while rather than spending money on stuff she may not stick with.

 

The club provides equipment for the class as well as the club meetings.
I call that a "win"...

 

Fencing is a lot more about timing and distance than it is about raw speed, especially if it's foil or saber (because of the priority rules). Fencing classes almost universally start with foil.

If she takes another martial art she'll probably have a good understanding of that and the necessary physical conditioning—most of the exercises past that will require sword in hand. The only thing I can think of would be grip and forearm stuff so her hand doesn't cramp up from holding the foil.

 

My "if it ain't legos and ain't MineCraft it just ain't" just turned 13 year old boy is really enjoying Saber fencing this semester ( or did as Friday was the last day, but he plans to sign up again in January). Oh course it helps that he is beating his peers and frightening the upperclassmen......

We are considering buy him a foil that can be later adapted to electronic scoring if he stays with it.

-kBob

 

Fencing is very much a thinking sport- outsmarting the opponent counts for a lot more than physical skill. Like playing chess on your feet.

I often ended up with bruises up and down my rib cage from opponent's blades. Foils bend but they still leave a mark. They actually make hard plastic cups for female fencers to wear over their breasts for protection. You may want to get her a setup like that if she gets into it- unnecessary pain/injury won't raise anyone's interest level.