Tim Morehouse Fencing Club is one of the top fencing clubs in the country, and one of the most important services we provide to our competitive members is high-level tournament coaching and support.

Tournament fencing is a critical part of long-term athlete development. TMFC provides structured, consistent coaching across regional, national, and international competitions, with a clear philosophy focused on preparation, execution, and independence.

Tournament Services Include:
1. Tournament Coaching
2. Running of Club Tournaments
3. Tournament Information & Planning Support

1. Tournament Coaching

TMFC provides coaching support at:

• Regional tournaments

• National events (RYCs, SYCs, NACs, Junior Olympics, Summer Nationals)

• International competitions (by request)

2. TMFC Club Tournaments

TMFC runs a full in-house competitive calendar, including:

• The TMFC Cup Series (generally 6–7 Saber tournaments per season, held every other month)

• Great for new fencers to get started but also experience fencers to gain experience and earn ratings.

• Great for club to build community and group camaraderie.

These events provide meaningful competitive experience, preparation, and community building within the club.

3. Tournament Information & Planning Support

TMFC provides resources to help families navigate competitive fencing, including:

• Tournament planning guidance

• Articles and resources for new competitive families

• Clear expectations around preparation, coaching, and travel

Tournament Coaching Is Mandatory at TMFC

Tournament coaching is a required part of the TMFC competitive program. This policy allows us to provide consistent, high-quality support while keeping tournament operations sustainable and fair for all athletes.

Mandatory tournament coaching ensures:

1. Proper Coaching Coverage
   Coaching coverage is planned after tournament registration closes, allowing us to assign the appropriate number of coaches and pods based on actual participation.

2. Reasonable Costs for Families
   Mandatory participation allows costs to be shared efficiently across athletes, keeping individual coaching fees as low as possible.

3. Support for Competitive Athletes
   TMFC does not profit from tournament coaching. When coaches travel, they are not teaching lessons or running classes, and those lost hours are not fully offset by tournament fees.
   We provide tournament coaching because TMFC is a competitive club, and supporting our athletes at competitions is a core part of our program and mission.

Tournament coaching is an investment in athlete development, consistency, and community—not a standalone service.

TMFC Club Tournaments 🤺

Tim Morehouse Fencing Club runs a series of TMFC-hosted club tournaments throughout the season to support athlete development, competition readiness, and community building.

Club tournaments are in-house competitions hosted by Tim Morehouse Fencing Club that give fencers the opportunity to apply what they learn in practice in a structured, supportive competitive environment. They are often the first step into competition for new fencers and a valuable development tool for experienced athletes. Club tournaments help athletes build confidence, learn tournament routines, manage pressure, and prepare for regional, national, and international events—while competing alongside and supporting their teammates as part of the TMFC community

TMFC club tournaments are designed to:

• Provide a low-barrier entry point for fencers new to competition

• Prepare athletes for regional, national, and international events

• Reinforce tournament routines, expectations, and competitive habits

• Strengthen team culture, community, and club pride

TMFC club tournaments are ideal for:

• New fencers beginning their competitive journey

• Newly competitive athletes gaining early tournament experience

• Developing fencers building confidence and consistency

• Established competitive members preparing for higher-level events and learning to fence under pressure

What You Need to Fence a TMFC Club Tournament

(Quick Overview — detailed guidance is available in our Tournament Guidebook)

To participate in a TMFC club tournament, fencers generally need the following:

1. USA Fencing Competitive Membership

All competitors must have an active USA Fencing Competitive Membership. This is a separate membership for TMFC. USA Fencing is the national governing body of fencing.You can sign up for your membership here:https://member.usafencing.org/signup

When registering, please list your primary club as Tim Morehouse Fencing Club (use the main club name only, not specific locations such as Port Chester or Manhattan). USA Fencing treats each location as a separate club, and using different names can place TMFC athletes into the same pools more often as they begin competing. Listing the main club helps ensure proper seeding and a better competitive experience for our fencers.

2. Know Your Fencing Age

Understanding your fencing age ensures you enter the correct age category and events.

TMFC club tournaments generally follow USA Fencing age categories, including:

• Youth-8 (Y8)

• Youth-10 (Y10)

• Youth-12 (Y12)

• Youth-14 (Y14)

• Cadet (age 13+ to 17)

• Junior (age 13+ to 20)

• Senior / Open (age 13+)

Fencing age is determined solely by birth year, not by a fencer’s current age. This means a child may be 9 years old but still compete in the Youth-8 (Y8) category, depending on their birth year.

Open events generally refer to competitions open to ages 13 and up, depending on the event.

Following these standard age

3. Competition-Ready Equipment

In addition to standard club equipment, competitive fencing typically requires:

• Two weapons

• Two body cords

• Fencing pants (knickers)

• Electric jacket (lamé), if not already owned

If you have an TMFC class equipment set, additional competition pieces may still be required.

4. Know Where to Enter

Families should understand where and how to register for club tournaments. TMFC provides guidance and resources to help with this process. Go to our “Club Tournaments” page to review upcoming tournaments.

When & Where

• TMFC club tournaments are held throughout the season, typically every other month

• Events take place at TMFC facilities and partner venues

• TMFC generally runs 6–7 club tournaments per season, primarily in Saber

• The season includes our annual New Year’s Saber Spectacular, held the first weekend after the New Year

Club Tournament Listings

A full listing of upcoming TMFC club tournaments, including dates, locations, age categories, and registration links, is available in this section of the Members Hub.

Families are encouraged to review listings regularly, as events and details may be updated throughout the season.