What to pack, how to warm up, and coping with competition day jitters.
Your first fencing tournament is just around the corner—how exciting! There might be butterflies in your stomach, but don’t worry. With a little planning and a positive attitude, you can walk into that fencing hall feeling ready to have fun and do your best.
A Quick Story: Zara’s Big Day
Zara woke up early on tournament day, heart pounding with excitement. She double-checked her fencing bag: jacket, mask, gloves, and extra socks—all there. On the way to the venue, Zara practiced her deep breathing to calm her nerves. Once inside, she spotted a few familiar faces from her club. They waved, and suddenly Zara didn’t feel so nervous anymore. She was ready to fence!
Packing the Essentials
1. Fencing Gear
• Mask, Jacket, Glove, and Breeches: Check them carefully for any rips or tears.
• Weapons: Bring at least one working foil/épée/sabre (depending on your event), plus a spare if you have one.
• Body Cord and Mask Cord (Foil/Sabre): These connect your gear to the scoring system. Make sure they’re not twisted or broken.
2. Comfort Items
• Water Bottle: Staying hydrated keeps you energized.
• Healthy Snacks: Small bites like fruit or granola bars to refuel between bouts.
• Extra Clothes: A comfy t-shirt or sweatshirt to wear between matches in case it’s chilly.
3. Tools and Extras
• Towel: Wipe away sweat and keep your face mask dry.
• Spare Hair Ties (for long hair): So you can keep your hair neatly out of the way.
• Notebook or Fencing Journal: Jot down observations or results from each bout.
Warming Up
• Light Jog or Jumping Jacks: Get your heart pumping and muscles warm.
• Stretch: Pay special attention to your legs, arms, and shoulders. Gentle stretching helps prevent injuries.
• Footwork Drills: Practice advancing, retreating, and lunging. This helps you “wake up” your fencing moves before the first bout.
• Practice Bouts (If Possible): If the venue allows, do some quick sparring to get into the flow of fencing.
Coping with Jitters
• Deep Breathing: Inhale slowly through your nose, then exhale through your mouth. Do this a few times until you feel calmer.
• Positive Self-Talk: Remind yourself of how hard you’ve worked and how much you’ve improved. Say, “I can do this!”
• Focus on One Point at a Time: Instead of worrying about the final score, think about executing your next move.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every time you land a clean touch or defend successfully, give yourself a quick mental high-five!
What to Expect
• Check-In and Weapons Check: Officials may test your equipment to ensure it’s safe and working properly. Be patient—everyone goes through this.
• Pools and Direct Elimination: You might fence in a group (pool) first, then proceed to a bracket (direct elimination) if you qualify. Stay alert for announcements about when and where to fence.
• Keep Track of Time: Matches can happen quickly. Listen for your name or event number, so you don’t miss your turn on the strip.
The Biggest Secret: Enjoy It!
Tournaments are a great place to make new friends, learn from more experienced fencers, and see how far you’ve come. Winning is exciting, but it’s not the only thing that matters. As long as you put your heart into each match and respect your opponents, you’ve already succeeded!
Coming Up Next: After the competition, win or lose, you’ll have new experiences to learn from. Our next post will help you review your tournament, celebrate the positives, and plan for what comes next!