5 things every parent should know about fencing

Fencing is a great sport for kids of all ages. It is a unique mix of physical and mental activity that can help your child to develop coordination, balance, and strategic thinking skills. If you are thinking about signing your child up for fencing lessons, here are five things you should know:

1. Fencing Is Safe
Fencing is a safe sport for kids. There is very little contact between opponents, and when there is contact, it is usually not hard enough to cause injury. In addition, fencers wear protective gear including gloves, masks, jackets, and pants. This gear protects them from getting hurt if they do happen to make contact with an opponent.

2. Fencing Is A Mental Sport
Fencing is often referred to as "physical chess." Like chess, fencing is a strategic game that requires tactical thinking and planning. Fencers have to be quick thinkers in order to react to their opponent's moves and make the right decisions in order to win the bout.

3. Fencing Is A Great Workout
Fencing is a great workout for kids. They will get aerobic exercise from running back and forth across the fencing strip, and they will also get a workout from swinging their arms and legs while fencing. In addition, fencing helps to improve coordination and balance.

4. There Are Different Types Of Fencing
There are three different types of fencing: foil, epee, and saber. Foil fencing is the most popular type of fencing in the world. It is characterized by light thrusting attacks with the point of the foil (the weapon). Epee fencing is similar to foil fencing but with heavier weapons and more focus on cutting than thrusting attacks. Saber fencing is the newest type of fencing, characterized by light cutting attacks with the edge of the saber (the weapon).

5. Fencers Need Special Equipment
Fencers need special equipment in order to fence safely and effectively. This includes a weapon (foil, epee, or saber), glove, mask, jacket, plastron (underarm protector), breeches (fencing pants), socks, shoes, and body cord (to connect the weapon to the scoring machine). Most fencing clubs have equipment that beginners can use during their first few lessons but eventually fencers will need to purchase their own equipment if they decide to continue with the sport.

 If you are a parent, we hope that this article has helped to open your eyes to the benefits of fencing for children. Fencing is an excellent way to help children develop physical and mental skills that will stay with them for life. It’s also a great way to spend time together as a family and make new friends. And if you are already a fencing enthusiast, we hope that this article has given you some ideas about how to introduce the sport to your kids. Are you ready to get your child started in fencing? Check out our selection of fencing gear from American Fencing Gear today!