FENCING IS A MENTAL GAME THAT DEVELOPS VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS.

Fencing is a sport involving quick thinking, agility, poise and speed. It also develops discipline, respect, maturity and good sportsmanship, qualities that carry through to our everyday lives. Fencers learn to solve problems, cope with adversity and take what comes with grace. It is a tradition to salute before a fencing competition and shake hands afterwards.

GREAT EXERCISE

Fencing uses sudden and repetitive movements of the arms and legs, improving muscle tone and sharpening reflexes. It combines speed, agility and flexibility, working many muscle groups, the buttocks, stomach and thighs, in particular. A 150-pound person can burn 408 calories in one hour of fencing.

TRAVEL THE WORLD

Fencing tournaments are held locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. These tournaments give fencers the opportunity to visit places they might not otherwise see and to experience new cultures.

FENCING CAN ASSIST YOUR CHILD WITH ADMISSION TO A PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE.

Most of the nation’s top colleges have fencing programs and offer fencing scholarships. These include Stanford, Notre Dame, Duke, Penn State, Yale, Princeton and Harvard. Schools with NCAA programs are looking for fencing students and that enhances the chance your child can attend a top-tier school. Fencing could put them into a different, and smaller pool, of applicants.

LOW-INJURY SPORT

All fencers wear steel mesh masks, gloves, chest protectors and padded jackets, and the weapons they use do not have sharp edges. Although the goal is to touch opponents with weapons, injuries are rare. Fencing is considered safer than sports like football, basketball, soccer and baseball and cheerleading.

FOR EVERYONE

This is a sport families can do together. Fencers are of all different ages, sizes and body types. A key component of fencing is mental agility, so you don’t have to be a world-class athlete to learn.