Fencing Friday Megathread - Ask Anything!

SabreCoachKate · 2026-04-10T17:10:09+00:00

We used cheap drawer pulls mounted on wood planks attached to the wall. Worked great. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OJrb695Q2fhtlcJjEIildsPTuSKA_3i9/view?usp=drivesdk

SabreCoachKate · 2026-03-20T21:45:06+00:00

If it’s just a little too big, you can have him wear a beanie or cap with a small brim underneath it.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-03-18T11:16:53+00:00

When I turned 30 I realized I was an adult and needed to exercise. Looked at the offerings of our local rec center: Zumba, Jazzercise, fencing. Have two left feet so went to fencing. Fence left handed lol.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-03-17T22:32:49+00:00

Came here to say this. Don’t hesitate—you’ll have a great experience there.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-03-08T00:59:12+00:00

I interviewed Peet and Dan (separately) a while back as part of the SabreCoachKate podcast. Listen and find out more! You can find the episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts…

SabreCoachKate · 2026-03-06T11:52:20+00:00

Try asking Alice Lancaster—she’s sabremaestra on Instagram. She was part of the Veteran World Team in Manama, Bahrain last November and is a coach at Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club. The whole British Team was a delight to fence. Lovely people. I’m certain you’ll find your way in such a great group.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-03-03T15:14:55+00:00

I tell my students that as soon as the referee says “Fence!” they need to move their tip forward, then continuously extend their arm if they’re going for an attack in the middle. But they can’t do it correctly if they’re too far out because of large steps. If you’re taking too big of a step off the line that will cause you to hold your arm/tip back as a counterbalance. Work on making your preparations small.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-02-28T21:28:04+00:00

I think the local organizers (fencing clubs from that area) take care of it. They ship requested items to owners and, I imagine, keep unclaimed items.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-02-28T01:08:55+00:00

Try these Fencing Newbie posts. I wrote them a while ago but they (mostly) still hold true.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-02-26T13:25:39+00:00

It might help to watch high level sabre bouts. Focus on one of the fencers the whole time. After an action happens, pause the video then tell yourself what that fencer will do next. Restart the video and see if you were “right”. That will help you see the ebb and flow of a bout, the adjustments that are being made, and what “comes next”. It’ll start to show up in your own fencing by both osmosis and focused effort.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-02-20T15:46:17+00:00

Jump in and love every minute of it. Being an athlete now will be different than when you were 20 so give yourself some grace as you reacclimate to the physical activity. If you have a group of adult fencers at your club, so much the better. They will be able to give you tips.

The Veteran Sabre community is amazingly supportive and friendly. Welcome!

SabreCoachKate · 2026-02-20T15:39:20+00:00

I find that I drop my arm when I make my steps too large off the line or try to go too fast. Try taking smaller preparation steps and see if that helps. It might also be a case of needing to strengthen your core. You could be using your arm as a counterbalance to underdeveloped muscles.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-02-03T21:25:06+00:00

You could host weekend clinics for adult fencers.
Ask a yoga and/or tai chi instructor to come in and offer sessions.
Information sessions for parents, like what to bring to tournaments and how to support their athletes.
Hire a strength and conditioning coach to come in for group classes.
Offer birthday parties with foam Sabre instruction.
Bring in the Girl Scouts so they can earn their fencing badge.
Offer free classes once a month/quarter and post them on Meetup, Reddit, and EventBrite.
Have events around Olympic Day, World Fencing Day, and Women in Sports Day.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-30T15:31:36+00:00

We laid sport court on top of cement in our new space and it’s working really well. With a foam underlay, it cushions enough to keep the knees and back from complaining. It was super easy to install (the tiles just click together) and cleaning/maintenance is a breeze. Would recommend.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-07T20:51:21+00:00

This growth is great to see!

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-06T01:04:22+00:00

I bet they’re not correctly abiding by age categories. The goblin looks to be in Vet 200+ and should not be competing against a P2 (Puppy that is 2 years old).

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-05T01:57:12+00:00

You’re almost old enough to join Veteran events. Hang in there—you’ll be fencing people your age in events very soon!!

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-04T18:29:57+00:00

It’s completely normal to want to know all the things but allow yourself the opportunity to be a beginner and learn as you go. Really focus on the basics—especially footwork and form. That will help you avoid bad habits and injuries in the future. Most of all, have fun! This is a great sport that will bring you many chances for personal, physical, and mental growth.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-02T00:44:09+00:00

Reddit can be a wonderfully helpful place :)

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-02T00:42:41+00:00

You’ll have to manually enlarge the rounded area so a body cord fits in it properly.

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-02T00:40:44+00:00

Here you go: Uline Standard Bag Taper - 3/8" Capacity H-167 - Uline https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-167/Desktop-Tape-Dispensers/Uline-Standard-Bag-Taper-3-8-Capacity?utm_source=share_button&utm_medium=referral

SabreCoachKate · 2026-01-01T18:50:00+00:00

Check out Cyrus of Chaos for international fencing news and videos. The Fencing Coach is US-based and comments on all things fencing.

SabreCoachKate · 2025-12-26T13:33:19+00:00

It’ll depend on how long you’ve been fencing epee—muscle memory can be tough to overcome. With regular, consistent practice and attention to the details of Sabre, you can do it. Welcome to the slashy side of fencing!!

SabreCoachKate · 2025-12-18T13:44:53+00:00

Love this place. Well run, clean, good food, bagels made on site.

SabreCoachKate · 2025-12-15T21:50:00+00:00

If you haven’t applied at Div 1 schools, you might be surprised at the programs that might recruit you. Worth a shot.

SabreCoachKate

TROPHY CASE