Fencing Tournament Guidance:
When Should I Start Competing and In What Tournaments?
(Your First 10 Tournaments)
Last Update: Sept, 13, 2022
Please note, this will be a living document we will be updating as we get questions and greater knowledge.
Having the “Right” entry point into competing is critical, but let me preface this by saying that there is no “perfect” way to start competing! The best thing to do, if you feel you are ready, is to just go and start doing it and you will start to learn how it works. There is no greater teacher than experience!
So, even if you end up at a tournament that is too hard, too easy, too small, too big, you forget a piece of equipment, you show up too late or too early etc. it is all part of the learning that should go on in your first 10 tournaments.
The goal of your first 10 tournaments should be:
Have Fun! (Regardless of Result)
LEARN LEARN LEARN LEARN LEARN (Fencer, Parents, Coaches)
Enjoy small milestones: Your first point, your first pool win, your first DE win. Count how many points you score and celebrate that!
CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF BEING IN THE GAME!
DON’T QUIT! Commit to 10 tournaments and by the end you will 100% feel more comfortable with tournaments and start to become a “pro” at competing.
When Should I Start Competing and What Tournaments:
The answer to this questions depends on many factors and ultimately comes down to the individual fencer, that fencers goals and conversations with your coaches. (This is critical) Age plays a HUGE factor as well.
Here are our “Rules of Thumb” for Youth Fencers on Starting out:
Youth-8, 10 and12: (What tournament types in your age category?)
Club Tournament- Everyone Should Do These (Check with your club for in-house tournaments and local tournaments they recommend). You should generally 2-3 of your own clubs tournaments and finishing in the top 40% before going to compete at a local or regional tournament.
Local Club Tournaments: These are tournaments put on by clubs that are not your own. We suggest checking with your coaches about which ones to attend. You want to make sure that when you go to another clubs tournament that you will be treated nicely as a visitor, treated fairly and for the benefit of your own club, that is a club that might reciprocate and send fencers to your clubs local tournaments. (Age, our rule of thumb might be 2-3 local tournaments where you are finishing in the top 40% before going to the next level)
Regional Level - Tim Morehouse Fencing Club is in region 3 which consists of 9-states. Regional tournaments have point standings and are a pathway to qualify for the Summer Nationals and Junior Olympics. (As mentioned before, we recommend you have competed in 2-3 Club or Local Tournaments (Finishing in top 40% of Local/Club tournaments) * The caveat to all of these are discussions with your personal coaches. (Top-3 finishers in each age category earn a USA Fencing Regional Patch!)
Super "Regional" (SYC) - These are generally harder than regional events and top 40% earn a small amount of national points. (We recommend attending these once a student has finished Top-40% of an RYC or coaches decision with you.) These become main tournaments for Youth-10 and Youth-12 fencers to earn national points.
North American Cup (National Level) - Finishing in the top 40% of an SYC (Nationals Points from an SYC)
GOOD GOALS TO SET FOR YOUTH-10, YOUTH-12 and Youth-14:
GOAL: Summer Nationals - goal is for everyone to qualify in Y10/Y12/Y14 (through regional points)
ATTEND SUMMER NATIONALS: (When Should I attend?) If you have a Top-40%i n an SYC/Multiple top 25% in regional events in your age-category (Competing regularly and competitive in your bouts)
Fencing “Age Up” in Youth-8/10/12 Guidance
(When Should I fence above my age category)
Club tournaments - you can always fence an age up
Regional - If you've won a medal in your age category (or top25% in your age category)
Talk with your coach. A lot depends on the mentality of the students and ability to handle tougher tournaments and take value out of them even if you are not winning medals.