Info for Parents

Kids 💛 Swords

Interested in getting your kiddo into a sport that never gets old? Welcome to fencing — one of the world's safest and longest-running sports!

USA Fencing's youth program is designed to help the develop discipline, balance, coordination, and sportsmanship required of all fencers. It also helps young athletes develop quicker reflexes, and an ability to think on their feet.

Since the first national youth tournament was held in 1985, and young fencers have changed the face of American Fencing. College coaches are now looking for young fencers with years of experience under their belt, compared with former days where scouts scanned college freshmen classes for anyone that looked like a natural athlete (bonus points if they were tall).

Today, USA Fencing's youth fencing program has developed a very large foundation -- the wider the base, the higher we can reach. Large fencing programs are developing across the United States as an alternative to traditional team sports.

And did you know anyone may develop into a great fencers? That's why we provide equal attention and training to all beginners. As children develop mentally, emotionally, and physically, we constantly reassess their skills and goals. One athlete that struggles during their first few years truly may blossom into a world-class competitors. Others seem born with a competitive spark.

Our promise at GRAFA is that all our young athletes will be have a chance to develop new skills and friendships as they explore the classic sport of Fencing.

Benefits of Fencing

Exploring youth fencing offers so many benefits! They will learn:

  • Good sportsmanship & self-discipline.

  • How to compete independently, as well as for a team

  • The joy winning + benefit from defeat (all while becoming physically fit & healthy!)

  • How make complex decisions, analyze problems & think fast.

Naturally, these traits will help children reach their potential in many areas other than fencing.

It's also important for athletes and parents alike to remember that the primary motivation for entering sports, particularly among adolescents, is to have FUN. Below you will find info that will help you assist your budding athlete in reaching this goal. Because even Olympic Champions have fun!

Young Athlete
Bill of Rights

At GRAFA (& elsewhere), our staff and fencing community believes our young fencers have the following inalienable rights:

  • To be treated with dignity.

  • To fence as a child (not as an adult).

  • To fence regardless of skill level.

  • To fence at the appropriate level for each child’s stage of development.

  • To fence in a safe & healthy environment.

  • To receive proper preparation for fencing.

  • To receive qualified adult leadership.

  • To share in the leadership of fencing.

  • To have equal opportunity to strive for success.

  • To have fun fencing!

How Can I Help?

Your role as the parent of a young fencer is to support and encourage your child. Parent’s attitudes are often absorbed and emulated by their children, who will seek out your advice and approval. Be aware of this, and strive to be a positive role for them, even in the face of defeat (it happens to the best of us!). Please always show good sportsmanship and respect, including with all coaches, officials, and opponents.

Helping your child get to GRAFA to train regularly is also key. School obligations of course come first, which makes school holidays a great chance to maximize training opportunities. That said, training two months a year at a camp yields very limited results. A consistent training curriculum is where long-term goals are reached.

Please make sure your child has a small snack before training and competitions, and bring a water bottle to the club and tournament. (If they have a nervous stomach ahead of competition, a banana + lots of water offer a pretty good alternative to nothing at all.)

Be careful about weight training before it’s appropriate for your child's age -- it can stunt bone plate growth and impact healthy muscle development. Consult with your child’s doctor before starting any rigorous training program. Remember that overtraining for short periods of time, followed by long periods of less or no training, is certain to result in injury.

Be realistic about of your child’s ability -- don’t rush them into competition until their training is well underway. Start fencing locally. Your child is not ready for national tournaments until they consistently finish well in local and regional tournaments.

How to Rock as a Fencing Parent

    • Encourage your fencer to set their own goals.

    • Skip imposing your goals (or their coach's) on your child.

    • Success varies by age; foster a love for fencing.

    • Be patient. Amazing breakthroughs will occur when your child loves their sport -- let their process take its course.

    • Encouragement is an awesome tool to help your child reach their goals.

    • Focus on their effort & successes; not just their mistakes.

    • Support them on bad days.

    • Celebrate the good days.

    • Gently remind them on the bad days that fencers continually strive to improve their technique; from first-day beginner to Olympic Champion.

    • Every day spent fencing is a win.

    • Emphasize enjoyment, improvement & learning over winning.

    • Create a fun, positive learning environment to boost their self-esteem.

    • When traveling to tournaments, enjoy exploring new cities & places.

    • Competitions are a great chance to meet new people who love fencing. (Many lasting friendships have been formed between fierce competitors!)

    • Harness the wonderful growth opportunities that always pop up during competitions.