How Often Should a Fencer Practice

At the Minnesota Sword Club there is no required number of practices. The Sword Club's schedule allows people to practice in a way that fits their own schedules and needs. You may change the days you practice each week or the number of times. We do have the desire that fencers come at least twice a week since doing so develops a fencer three to four times faster then once a week. Three times a week further increases the amount learned and retained. How often do the coaches want the fencers to attend? Every day! Recreational fencers tend to come once or twice a week. Our national level competitors practice at least 4 times each week.  The more a fencer attends the greater the skill development, the more retained and the greater the enjoyment of the sport.

There are many aspects of the sport a successful fencer needs to learn and practice. They include: blade work, foot work, paired repetitive drills, paired choice drills, unstructured bouting, structured bouting, simulated competition and individual instruction. How much of these activities does each fencer take part in? It depends upon the fencer's desire and time at the Minnesota Sword Club. Some do it all while others just come to bout and enjoy themselves. It is up to each fencer to decide for them self what they want from fencing.