YOUTH FENCERS
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FCA Youth Fencer Page

FCA coaches and fellow fencers are here to encourage, inspire and teach youth fencers to reach their goals.

New Beginning Classes start April 27th

Tournaments Coming Soon

Click on the event to Register

Competition Date Location
PNW Section Championships May 9-10 FCA-See www.alaskadiv-usfa.org for age rules.
FCA Youth Series #3 + Novice May 30th FCA
Beginning Saber Class May 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th YMCA on Lake Otis 8PM-taught by Dennis Christensen
Saber Clinic June 5 7P-9P/Sat June 6th 9A-5P FCA-Coach Bruce Sikes/Dennis Christensen
FCA Summer Clinic Series Beginning 1A June 1-12 Daily 8A-12P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Beginning 1B June 1-12 Daily 1P-5P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Beginning 2A June 15-26 Daily 8A-12P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Intermediate 2B June 15-26 Daily 1P-5P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
Youth Summer Nationals Prep Clinic June 29-July 3 Daily 12P-5P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Beginning 3A July 13-24 Daily 8A-12P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Intermediate 3B July 13-24 Daily 1P-5P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Beginning 4A July 27-Aug 7 Daily 8A-12P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details
FCA Summer Clinic Series Intermediate 4B July 27-Aug 7 Daily 1P-5P FCA-Click Here For Clinic Details

Click for USFA 2008-2009 Schedule.

All RYC, Division & FCA tournaments will be listed on ASK FRED.

Featured Fencing Question

I'd like to buy my own gear, where should I go? Well there are two questions I usually ask after someone approaches me about gear. The first question is always how much do you want to compete in the next 12 months and the second question is how much do you want to spend. For fencers who are really jazzed about fencing and want to compete in local and possibly out of state tournaments where money isn't an issue I usually suggest getting the Leon Paul USA competition starter set. These sets include all that a new fencer will need for the first competitions. However, they aren't cheap running around $500 (free shipping) for a complete set you get your money's worth when the set lasts several years (barring a youth student out growing it). For those fencers under 15 years old I usually recommend going to Absolute Fencing. They have a 7 piece foil set that provides the new fencer with ALL of the required gear for competition (minus the electrical stuff). They offer a quality product for about $200 +shipping. It is cost effective with the quality that I expect from competitive fencing gear. Here are the links for you to view the suggested sets:

Leon Paul USA - Advanced Non Electric Foil Starter Set with the upgrade for knickers and a contour fit the cost is $479 (additional upgrades will increase the price, but shipping is included). Leon Paul is great for students who are finished growing. The equipment quality is superb, lasting students a long time.

Absolute Fencing- Absolute offer's two good deals on starter set. The first is a 7 piece non-electric starter set that features all the basics for a beginning fencer including a bag to put it in. Cost $209 +Shipping. They also offer a 9 piece set that includes electric features (lame, body cord & electric weapon) to the 7 piece practice set. Cost is $295 + Shipping.  These sets are recommended for growing students who are excited about fencing and look forward to competing in tournaments either local or outside the state. This company offers a great deal for the quality and quantity you get with the purchase.

Jacquie's Fencing Equipment Mantra...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

So if you decide to go to Ebay and by your gear, remember that the cheapest gear is really just that. Used equipment can be purchased but you don't know how much it's been used and you risk safety and warranty.

Fencers who plan on competing in USFA or FCA events MUST HAVE:

Mask Must have no defects in the mesh and the bib must come up over the frame of the mask. The mask must pass a 12K punch test. Saber masks must pass the electrical resistance test for the bib.
Jacket Must not have any holes or defects, must extend down both arms and have a flap on the neck to prevent blades going up under the bib of the mask. Finally the jacket must come to the top of the hips and overlap the knickers by at least 4".
Under arm protector Must cover to the elbow of the weapon arm and cover half way across the front and back of the torso. There must be a panel of material that extends from the underside off the elbow down the length of the under arm protector, to prevent points, that pierce through the jacket's seam, from going further.
Knickers Knickers must be free of defects (holes and such). The knickers must extend under the jacket by 4" and below the knees. If there are straps to go over the shoulders they must be worn appropriately, they can not hang past the bottom of the jacket.
Glove Gloves must have a gauntlet that extends half way up the fore arm. The glove can not have any holes or defects with the exception of where the cord comes out to attach to the weapon. Saber fencers must have either a conductive gauntlet or a manchett (over glove), both must pass an electric resistance test.
Socks Socks must extend under the knickers at least 2". No skin can be showing or the fencer will receive a yellow card. Soccer socks work well and can be significantly cheaper to obtain than "fencing" socks.
Weapons Fencers must come to the strip with at least two weapons for the event you are fencing. They must pass appropriate tests when brought to the strip. It is recommended that fencers come to all tournaments with a minimum of three weapons, however those traveling out of state should take no less than 4 weapons in each type (i.e. foils, epees, or sabers) fenced.
Body cords Fencers must come to the strip with at least two checked (tested by the armorer for resistance) body cords. It is recommended that a fencer come to any tournament with at least three body cords to avoid possible carding. Foil & saber cords are the same cord.
Shoes Fencers must wear some type of footwear that will stay on the fencers feet during competition and be non-marking in nature. There is no specific rule on what type of shoe to wear however it is recommended that you have shoes with rounded heels that do not have a significant tread, they should tie up and not be slip on type shoes.
Lame's For those events that require lame's they must be tested by the tournament armorer for resistance, those tested will be marked and are the only ones used during the tournament. A good lame will be free of any and all holes, will extend to the hip and include a strap that holds the front of the lame in place (also called a cuissard). Saber lame's must cover both arms all the way to the wrist. All lame's will have a flap over on the neck to protect against points going under the mask.
Names/Printing Fencers competing in national level tournaments (NAC's & Summer Nationals) must have their names written either on their backs or legs. The letters must not exceed 4 cm in height and be in blue. Fencers can not have any other writing on their uniforms. The USFA Athlete handbooks (www.usfencing.org for a copy) has specific dimensions. Or you can have it done at the tournament you are attending.