A Newbie Guide to Fencing Tournaments (Part 1 – Basics)

I had been writing fencing tournament reports last year, detailing my experiences of the events where I competed and what I thought of them. I couldn’t keep up with the writing, partly because I was just busy, but also because the reports started to feel too repetitive.

This past weekend I competed in the Capitol Clash for the second time. This event was a regional youth and veteran age-group event just outside of Washington, D.C. I was excited to see some of the area’s newer fencers branching out to compete in this larger event, and I even spoke with two women who were curious about entering the event next year. (Read about the 2019 event here).

I was also having a rough week in general and had been sick (literally had a chest x-ray taken the day before the event), and realized that much of what I do during a tournament is automatic after competing for so many years (from packing, signing in, getting dressed, my warm-up, and other habits through the day). I thought it might be helpful to share some tips to newer fencers to help make the day of the event smoother when you get there.

So here is the first post in a series on A Newbie Guide to Fencing Tournaments!

This post will just touch upon a few basics, with no particular focus. I can go into more detail on topics in later posts (send me suggestions)!

The time listed for an event is the close of check in. You need to show up about an hour before that to get yourself ready.
There are a few things you need to do first when you arrive at a fencing tournament:
1. Check in for the event.
2. Find a place to put your bag.
3. Get your equipment checked.
4. Get dressed.
5. Fill up water bottles.
6. Get your phone out and find the appropriate page on https://www.fencingtimelive.com/ for the event. (Most events use this now.)
7. Warm up.
8. Breathe.
Tips on bag placement:
- If you can find out which strips you will be using ahead of time, that is nice to know. Place your bag convenient to the strips.
- If not, consider these other factors: bathroom placement, your fellow club members, water placement, crowds.
- You can always move your bag once you learn where you will fence.
Events are fenced in two rounds: pools and then direct elimination.
Pools typically take an hour (for sabre).
During your pool, pay attention to when you’re up to fence. Know your number in the pool.
The referee will call out numbers or names. The first name called goes to the referee’s right on the strip. Unless there’s a left-handed fencer. She always goes on the referee’s left. If there are two lefties fencing, then go back to the original number/name rule.
After a bout, check the score sheet to make sure the result was recorded correctly. I find an error every year in one event or another. The best time to correct it is immediately after the bout when everyone clearly remembers what happened.
After the pool is over, sign the score sheet and shake the referee’s hand.
There is a break after pools where you should make use of the bathroom. You have at least 15 minutes.
Refill your water bottle between the pool and direct elimination rounds. Sometimes I also eat a snack like a granola bar.

Here are some specific items that I use on tournament day (paid links):

Sports water bottles (like this one, but I have ones from my local bike shop).
Nalgene water bottles. These are a bit bigger than the squeeze bottles.
Granola bars, Honey Stinger waffles, or Stroopwaffle brand waffles.
I will talk more about warming up in another post, but sometimes I listen to music. I have small ears and these Bose headphones work the best for me.

Don’t be afraid to ask if you aren’t clear on the process or on where you’re supposed to go and when. Most fencers will be very helpful because we all want more people fencing with us!

See the rest of the Newbie Guide to Fencing Tournaments:

Clare L. Deming