2010 Starting Class Dates
and
Weekly Schedules

I hit you right there!

Fencing Instruction: Starting Dates For Fencers New To The Sport. We expect you to know nothing. We do the rest.

You may start on any one of the dates listed below and then attend as many classes you want each week.  Mondays are not starting dates for adults.
Fencers already knowing the basics of fencing may start any day of the month
and ignore the schedule below.

Class descriptions are at the bottom of the page.

January 4,5,7,9	July 12,13,15,17
February 1,2,4,6	August 2,3,5,7
March 1,2,4,6	September 6,7,9,11
April 5,6,8,10	October 4,5,7,9
May 3,4,6,8	November 1,2,4,6
June 7,8,10,12	December (Nov 29,30),2,4

Weekly Schedule - Classes and Open Practice

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Sat
Doors Open	4:15 to 9:30	6:00 to 10:00	6:00 to 8:00p	4:15 to 10:00	9:30a to 2:30p
Youths 8 to 12 Classes	4:30 to 5:45	6:30 to 7:45p Regular Class		4:30 to 5:45 and 6:30 to 7:45	10:00 to 11:30a Regular Class
Teen Classes and Teen Beginners	4:30 to 5:45	6:15 to 7:30		4:30 to 5:45 and 6:30 to 7:30	9:45a to 11:00a
Competitive Training	6:30 to 8:00	6:30 to 7:45	Tauber- Bishofshein Style Competition	6:30 to 7:45	10:30a to 12:00n
Adult Classes		7:30 to 8:30p		7:30 to 8:30p	12:00n to 1:00p
Open Bouting Practice Time	7:30 to 9:30p All Members	7:15 to 10:00p All Members	Tauber- Bishofshein Style Competition	7:15 to 10:00p All Members	11:30a to 2:30p All Members
Individual Lessons	Scheduled With a Coach	Scheduled With a Coach	Scheduled With a Coach	Scheduled With a Coach	Scheduled With a Coach

Type of Class

Adults: Each day the class follows a fairly similar schedule. First everyone practices the footwork used in fencing. Then, blade work and finally fencing. Also, fencers are encouraged to stay after class to fence extra. Some adult fencers choose not to join a class and fence before, during and after class. That's OK too. Most adults decide on one weapon to learn but, don't be afraid to try all three until you know which is your favorite. Some fencers fence two. Go to the Enrollment and Info page.

Teens: 12 to 19 years. These classes are used to teach the various moves of fencing, the strategies, rules and concepts of fencing. Classes start with footwork and move into blade drills for technical or tactical  actions. Both offensive and defensive moves are practiced. Then bouting, situational or unrestricted, is used to finish the session. Fencers can stay after class to continue bouting. A new fencer can change weapons each day until he/she finds a favorite. Go to the Enrollment and Info page.

Youths: 8 to 12 years. The class starts with a warm-up game. Next, footwork and basic positions are taught. Then, blade exercises are practiced. Activities are broken up a little more then written here to keep the young fencers interested. Fencers in the youth class learn a different weapon each month in a three month rotation. Eventually, a youth fencer can pick a favorite weapon and stay with it. At the age of 12 a fencer can stay with the youth group or move on to the teen class. Go to the Enrollment and Info page.

Competitive: These practice sessions are open to both adult and teen fencers who compete and want to train for competition. It requires electrical equipment (competitive weapons and uniforms) and sessions are more physically active (more demanding). The strategies necessary for competition, the use of right of way, and the technical skills required are all emphasized. The practices are meant as training sessions and do not deal with basic skills. Go to the Enrollment and Info page.

Tauber-Bishofshein Style Competition: Not for the light-at-heart. The Tauber-Bishofsheim style training competition is a complete round-robin. Bouts will be for 5, 10 or 15 touches, refereed or not, based upon the number of fencers attending each Wednesday. Every fencer MUST fence every other fencer in their weapon. The first time you compete in the TB Training Competition you will be required to sign a contract stating that you will fence every other fencer. If you don’t you will not be allowed to fence in it again in one of these competitions. Only medical reasons will allow you out. If time is running out you might throw yourself on the opponent’s blade to get your bouts finished but, you will finish all bouts. This style of training only works if this rule is strictly enforced - and it will be. You may come any Wednesdays you want. You do not have to come every week. Go to the Enrollment and Info page.


Two epeeists, the male fencer on the left is over 75, the female fencer on the right is 15.


These foilists are having a chat between touches. They are wired for electric scoring. All competitions are electrically scored. The fencer on the left only bouts choosing not to take classes. He is fencing just for the fun of it but is also is very experienced. The fencer on the right is a teenager. He takes the competitive classes and stays to bout afterwards.