This guide has been written by Jonathan and represents his individual views on competition preparation.

Competition Preparation

This is a bit information that hopefully you will find useful about competition preparation

As one gets older the preparation changes a little bit but the goal is the same, to get you in a warmed up state, ready to fence both mentally and physically from the very first second of the first bout. As one gets older you need more time to do a thorough preparation and warm up routine.

From maybe 11 downwards the warm up may just be a bit of running around, footwork and then some sparring. The other end of the spectrum for cadets and above you may need to get to the venue 90 mins before check in, go through your own warm up routine, footwork, individual lesson and the 20 mins plus of sparring.

Very often for the cadet(u17), junior(u20) and senior events there is a lot of travel and expense involved to get the venue so it is really important that one does not throw the day away with poor preparation. It is frustrating for all concerned-fencer, coach and parents to have the day ruined through silly, sloppy and unprofessional preparation both of equipment and the fencer.

Other coaches may have different priorities but for me the most important part of the warm up routine is the sparring. Probably the individual lesson as the least most important but all fencers are different. It is best to work backwards on the timing. If check-in closes at 8.30, you need 20 mins sparring, 10 min 121 lesson, 10 mins of footwork and usually about 20 mins of stretching. Factor in transition times and time for talking to friends and 90 mins is about right. It is not good to feel rushed and hurried.

For youth events-Newham, LPJS(Leon paul junior series) u12 and younger

Everyone needs 2 working foils of the correct size for the event. This is not just a good idea it is a requirement and if you do not have one by the side of the piste at the start of the bout you could get a yellow card(they are usually lenient with younger age groups). Three foils is better of course.

They do not usually weight test at these events, it is however possible.

The children need to arrive at the venue at least 45 mins before the close of check-in.

Warm up should consist of a bit of running around, jogging, footwork and then sparring. For this age group they need to have about 20 mins sparring., as always this is the most important thing. If you know your child takes ages to get changed then arrive earlier, better still have them semi changed beforehand.

EYC and BYC events.

Assume that they will weight test for these events. They definitely do for BYC finals and EYC’S, probably for the BYC qualifiers.

Cadet and Junior

By this stage everyone should understand how to prepare.

Need a minimum of 3 working foils and spare springs, screws, etc.

All weapons need to be weight tested the night before.

Arrive 90 mins before check-in closes.

Average times but allow:

20 min stretch jog

10 min footwork

10 min individual lesson

20 min sparring(most important)