Fencing Classes

In addition to being an exciting and challenging sport, fencing provides a great way to get in shape and relieve stress. There are no age, gender or weight restrictions for most of these classes and students can progress at their own pace. No equipment will be needed at first, just wear loose comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. Try one of these convenient classes and you will soon see why the sport of fencing has become so popular! If you want to give fencing a try before signing up for a class, try our Free Fencing on the second Saturday of each month. Details found here

Instruction is provided by two world class coaches. You can read about their extraordinary qualifications on this web page. It also includes the fascinating story of their journey from Tianjin, China to Birmingham, Alabama.

Birmingham Fencing Club Advanced classes are designed for experienced fencers in sabre, epee and foil. Our focus is on fencing at a competitive level with increased emphasis on strategy and tactics. Students will advance from Beginning to Intermediate to Advanced classes at their own pace and when recommended to do so by our coaches. There are no formal steps as with other sports. We want to be sure students are challenged but not frustrated.

Visitors are always welcome to any BFC class or practice!

NOTE – Private lessons are available only with the permission of Coach Wang.

Room A is original room with 6 strips. Room B is center room with 3 strips. Room C is the third room with 3 strips.

 

Beginning Classes:
Students will attend Beginning classes once or twice each week. Our coaches expect that most students will continue in the beginning class for three or four months before moving to the Intermediate Class. All equipment is provided at no additional cost for the first three months.

Intermediate Class:
Fencing is an individual sport and some students will be ready for intermediate-level training sooner than others. These decisions will be made by the coaches on a individual basis. This is done to ensure that students are ready for a higher level of training, with safety being a key consideration. Students will be required to purchase their own equipment before participating in the Intermediate Class (more information provided below). Electric scoring equipment will be available for practice during class.

Advanced Classes:
All Advanced classes are designed for advanced youth and adult students. Fencers are required to have their own equipment, and should make every effort to arrive at the beginning of every class to participate in warm-ups and group training. They are also encouraged to attend Club practices on Saturdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm and other Open Fencing sessions.

Open Fencing:
Just like the name implies, Open Fencing is available to Intermediate and Advanced students wherever it is noted in the schedule above. This provides an opportunity to fence with students from other classes, and at different skill levels. Students will be required to purchase their own equipment before participating in Open Fencing.

Floor Fee: If you are not a member of the fencing club and would like to attend a class or two, the floor fee is $20 per class.

Multiple Weapons: Once a student has reached the Advanced level, they can also attend classes in other weapons. If they are participating in the $80 multiple-class fee schedule noted above, there is no additional class fee to do so. Requirements regarding equipment will apply the same as any students in those classes (no equipment required for Beginning classes).

Requirements: There are no special physical requirements to learn the sport of fencing. Height, weight and gender are not important. Fencing provides a good work-out, but anyone can participate. The more you learn the more demanding the sport becomes.

What to bring: You need to wear loose, comfortable clothes and athletic shoes. You can bring a large bottle of water (not glass) or container of PowerAde type products. Please do not send any other type of beverage. There will also be a water fountain available.

What we provide: As noted below, we provide all the equipment needed to learn the sport of fencing (for the first three months only).

How to register: You can register the first day of class by completing the Membership and Medical Release Form and a Member Information Sheet, both of which may be found in the Student Handbook. For additional information about registration, contact David Arias at 205-515-3902.

Student Pick-up and Drop-off: Students will be practicing the entire class period and parents are expected to pick up their children immediately afterwards. You are welcome to come early and observe class. If special arrangements must be made for pick up, they must be made in advance with the coaches.

Purchasing equipment: After the first three months, students are required to purchase their own equipment. More information and the estimated cost may be found in the Student Handbook.

Safety: Students will be instructed in the proper safety procedures regarding weapons and their uniforms. These safety procedures include:
1. The tip of weapon must always be pointed downward.
2. When performing drills with other students, the coaches, or working with the practice dummy, fencers must always be in complete uniform.
3. Do not walk across any part of a fencing strip when others are using it. The masks have significant blind spots, and the action is generally very rapid.
4. Fencers cannot remove their masks when bouting until the referee or coach has called "Halt!" and it is acknowledged by both fencers.
5. No running or horse play in the gymnasium.

It is possible that a student might incur minor injuries to their legs if shorts are worn, therefore, long pants are generally recommended. Most people simply wear sweat pants. Other options include fencing knickers (which can be purchased for about $40) or baseball pants (easily available for less than $20). With the fencing knickers and baseball pants, long socks should be worn to cover their shins. Jeans, khakis or other long pants are generally a poor option since they do not provide adequate flexibility for fencing.

Tennis shoes are best for fencing, but most athletic shoes are fine.

Female fencers are required to use breast protectors with their uniforms. These are provided for all girls taking classes and are made of plastic or steel cups placed inside the jackets. Although the United States Fencing Association does not require that boys wear athletic supporters during competition, we recommend that they be worn during class.

Private Lessons: Our coaches give private lessons, but these are generally reserved for the more experienced fencers. You will find that most experienced fencers, however, are themselves willing and eager to spend one-on-one time working with the newer students. Private lessons are scheduled as noted above. Fees are $25 for 25 minutes.

Competition (optional, and at coaches recommendation): After several months of experience, depending on the number of classes taken each week and based on coaches' recommendations, students may want to compete in local or regional fencing tournaments. Initially, students can borrow Club equipment to use in competition. Eventually, they will wish to buy their own equipment. A guide to buying equipment may be found in the Student Handbook.

Birmingham Fencing Club holds a number of tournaments throughout the year, several of which are specifically for new students. Entry fees for local events are generally around $20. Competitors must also be members of the U.S. Fencing Association, which requires an annual fee of $50 (less for youth fencers, and family discounts are available).

Parental Involvement: The Birmingham Fencing Club has filed for non-profit status. Like many other sports organizations, parents play an important role in the organization of various class activities. Your participation is strictly voluntary but we sincerely hope you will volunteer your time when asked, and when it is within your ability to do so. We would also appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

Parents are welcome to observe class, although space will be somewhat limited. You and your son or daughter are also welcome to stop by any Birmingham Fencing Club class or activity. We welcome your questions and your interest in the sport of fencing. Parents of children competing at the national level may be interested in this page which details National Tournament information and NCAA fencing teams.


 What is a typical class like?

Each class begins with stretching and warm-up exercises. Our coaches have the experience to make this process great fun, incorporating a wide variety of games to promote flexibility and increase aerobic fitness. This is also intended to reduce the risk of muscle or joint injuries, since fencing involves rapid actions. This lasts about 45 minutes at the beginning of each class and is organized as a group, led by our coaches. Beginning classes provide students with a basic understanding of the sport. Drills are generally done as a class or in smaller groups. These include bladework, footwork, tactics and generally last a half-hour. When they are ready, the last half-hour of class will give students a chance to bout with other students or the coaches. Students will learn these fundamental skills:

This is one of the most difficult skills to master. Blade work permits a skilled fencer to deceive their opponent and reach the target, even if your opponent tries to defend themselves.

This is the most physically demanding skill. Foot work permits a fencer to change positions and distance, allowing them to combine with blade work to score a point, or allow a fencer to avoid an attack from an opponent.

These are the plans and counter plans used by fencers to combine blade and foot work, based on your understanding of actions made by your opponent.

Classes will include carefully supervised competition between fencers. This provides practical experience, and it is also the part of class that students enjoy most. They will learn to apply the basic skills developed during class.

Birmingham Fencing Club Philosophy

With the addition of two world class coaches, the Birmingham Fencing Club has been given an extraordinary opportunity to build a national fencing center in Birmingham. Our coaches have the talent and experience to teach, train and motivate individual students toward their maximum potential based on their individual abilities.

We are particularly aware of the role young people will have in the growth and development of the Birmingham Fencing Club. Likewise, we recognize the opportunity we have in the growth and development of young people. In addition to the mental and physical benefits inherent in the sport of fencing, we also strive to develop self-esteem, personal responsibility, confidence, teamwork and the ability to set and achieve goals.

We recognize that people join our classes for reasons other than the desire to wear an Olympic gold medal. This includes students whose primary goal is to maintain or develop physical fitness, while enjoying the unique excitement and challenges offered through the sport of fencing. Fencing is one of the most aerobics sports available, but one that can easily accommodate the individual needs. The Birmingham Fencing Club will remain flexible enough to adapt to changes in the composition of our classes and to the personal goals of each student.

For experienced students competing at the national level, related costs can become quite high. We have gathered a considerable amount of information related to national competitions, and we will make sure you are fully informed well before competition at the national level becomes a reality. The combination of private lessons, travel expenses, additional equipment and related costs are not significantly different than those of other sports that compete on a national level.

Code of Conduct

Failure to follow the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary measures assigned at the discretion of the coaches. This can include suspension or expulsion from Club classes, practices, activities and/or tournaments.

 

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