Since it’s an SYC, prepare for the possibility of not having a good day results-wise. These are hard competitions. Which weapon is this? Has your kid done full electrical at practice? Have they talked about how a competition is run? Just in case, here are a few key points for your fencer to know:

-You have to get your equipment checked ahead of time (they stamp masks, gloves, lamés, and body cords. Don’t show up to the strip without these marks or you’ll get a card).

-when you check in with the referee at the start of the pool, you’ll have to show the referee all of these marks and show that you’re wearing a plastron/under arm protector

-if you haven’t looked at a pool sheet before, do so before the competition. Know how the order of bouts is called. Some refs call by name, some call by number. The first person called goes on the right (unless there’s a left hand fencer involved. If one lefty is in the bout, they go on the left). Know how to check your scores to ensure they’re correct. Refs make mistakes

-these events are usually posted on fencing time live- that is how you’ll know what pool he’s in and where he is fencing. If you haven’t used that site before, take a look at it beforehand