In order to be successful, you need to plan your next move and watch your opponent's moves. Fencers develop good hand-eye coordination , balance, and quick reflexes. Fencing is a great activity for all kinds of kids, even those who may have difficulty with other organized sports. Because this sport is so unique, children are required to learn how to control their body in a way different than they ever have before.
In some ways it is similar to ballet, gymnastics, or figure skating, and kids who have enjoyed these activities have transitioned well into fencing. With fencing, though, you get a weapon! The real advantage, however, is how this newness forces the child to have to pay attention and focus in class.
This, along with the individual aspect of the sport, can be quite beneficial for children with learning disabilities or ADHD. I have seen students who have these challenges be quite successful in this activity.
Many fencers go on to complete even after high school and include fencing as a unique extra-curricular activity when they apply to college. There are many collegiate fencing programs , and while not everyone will make it to the NCAA level, many universities have club programs which allow fencers to continue this healthy, stress-relieving activity into adulthood.
Top fencers can be awarded generous scholarships. For example, my sister and I both received scholarships to StanfordUniversity. Finally, fencing teaches many important life lessons.
In this day and age, I find that a lot of children have come to believe that everyone must be a winner all of the time. Consequently they have a hard time learning how to learn from a loss. I think fencing provides that opportunity in a safe environment so a discussion can be had and they can learn how to react appropriately and go on to set attainable goals.
KOAA : Can you tell immediately by looking at a child whether he or she will be good at fencing? Iris: Actually, no. I think that every kid starts out on even footing pun intended! Also, there is no body type or type of person best suited to fencing. You use your strengths for each fencing match.
For example, my sister Felicia two time Olympian fenced by laying back and waiting for the person to come to her because she wasn't as big or strong and she liked the thrill of "beating someone to the punch". I was much more aggressive and used my physical strength as an asset.
I would not give my opponent enough time to think and try to overpower them. Iris : This question is difficult. Many of our kids enjoy computer games, Legos, Lego robotics, like to learn, and have some patience to learn something new and unique.
I included the last piece because it takes self-control and discipline to take the time to learn something new. As in most martial arts disciplines, fencing requires learning a lot of footwork and the basics of movement in order to master this sport.
But it's a lot of fun learning this along the way. I think kids who want to use their mind as well as do a physical activity are a good fit.
One can simply throw a ball to some kids, teach them the basics of the pass and shoot and viola: soccer. But with fencing the student must first learn to hold the weapon: not gripping it like a hammer but rather like a strings musician holding a bow.
The blade must become part of the fencers hand, mind, heart. It is this mode of self-expression, some would argue, that allows fencing to transcend sport and become art. Blending impulse with decision, fencing, none would argue, can move at lightening speed. Decision making changes at the speeds fencing operates in. It is no longer simply seeing and doing. Mentally Rich Part of the thrill of fencing is the immediate problem solving aspect of the sport. To be a good fencer one must have a balance of skills.
It is not enough to be simply the fastest nor the strongest…. By Igor Chirashnya. On September 4, In For Parents , Spirit. Why do we love it so much? Here are 15 serious reasons to love fencing :. The rich history of fencing is something that is a wonderful draw to the sport.
Swordfighting has been around for thousands of years and the actual art that we practice dates back to 13th Century. They do! The jacket, the mask, they make us feel like a fencer when we slip them on.
There is just something magical about them, ask any fencer! Who gets to do that? Fencers and ninjas maybe? And we develop a relationship with our weapons.
They are a part of us. They grow to be an extension of our arm, a part of who we are. Stepping onto the strip is always exciting. There is a rush of energy that comes from getting up and into a bout. Just stepping into the stance is energizing and puts us into that ultra sharp mindset that we all love being in.
Yes, we love competition! It has little to do with winning — so much more to do with challenging ourselves to be better people.
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