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Try Fencing

The Olympic and Paralympic sport you can start at any age. Fun, safe, and welcoming — find beginner classes near you.

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  • Fencing 101
  • Fencing for Parents

Why Families Choose Fencing#

  • Active & Social

    Kids make friends fast in a supportive class setting

  • Safe by Design

    Protective gear, supervised spaces — and fencing is considered safer than most popular youth sports

  • Builds Body & Brain

    "It's physical chess" with a mix of speed, strategy and agility

  • Welcoming to All

    All sizes, body types, backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels can fence

  • Great Coaches

    Learn from trained coaches who care about character and sportsmanship

  • Choose Your Path

    Have fun? Get competitive? Your club's got your back either way

My 11‑year‑old found a sport where effort and respect matter most.
Parent of a beginner fencer

What to Expect on Day One#

Your first class is friendly and low‑pressure. Here’s how it will unfold.

  • 1. Arrive 10–15 minutes early and check in.

  • 2. Coach fits loaner gear and covers safety basics.

  • 3. Warm‑up and footwork.

  • 4. Simple drills with a partner.

  • 5. Short, friendly bouts.

  • 6. Wrap‑up: Discuss what's next and class options.

A variety of fencing gear on a table.

Safety & Coaching

Safe, Supervised, Geared Up — Protective gear and structured instruction keep beginners safe as they learn.

Supportive Coaches — Coaches emphasize respect, maturity, and sportsmanship alongside technique.

One of the Safest — Fencing is consistently ranked as one of the safest Olympic/Paralympic sports because of mandatory protective gear and strict rules that prohibit body contact, resulting in a very low injury rate compared to most other sports. 

Weapons at a Glance#

Epee, foil and saber are the three weapons used in fencing. While fencers may compete in more than one event, most modern fencers choose to sharpen their skills in one weapon. See the look of each weapon below. The valid target area for each weapon is indicated in orange. The white areas are off target.

  • Epee

    Point‑only; full‑body target; prizes patience and timing.

  • Foil

    Point‑only; torso target; rewards precision and control.

  • Saber

    Edge or point; above‑the‑waist target; fast and dynamic.

How a Bout Works #

The goal of a fencing bout (that's what an individual “game” is called) is to score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or five points (in preliminary pool play) before your opponent can do the same or time expires.

Each time a fencer scores a touch, they receive a point. Points are earned by making a touch in the opponent’s target area. Direct elimination matches in epee and foil consist of three 3‐minute periods with a 1‐minute break between each. In saber, the first period lasts for eight touches, and the second period ends when the first fencer scores 15 points.

  • Following the Action

    Fencers seek to maintain a safe distance from each other — that is, they try to stay out of the range of the opponent’s attack. Then, one will try to break this distance to gain the advantage for an attack. At times, a fencer will make a false attack to gauge the types of reactions of their opponent. When a hit is made, the referee stops the bout, describes the action, and decides whether to award a touch.

    The referee always clearly raises their hand on the side of the fencer for whom they have awarded a point. Watching these signals can make it easier for newcomers to follow the momentum of a fencing bout without understanding every rule.

  • Fencing Fast Facts

    • Fencing is one of just five sports contested at every Olympics since 1896. (The others are athletics, cycling, swimming and gymnastics.)
    • The metal fencing strip, or piste, is about 46 feet long. That's about a foot shorter than the distance from the baseline to the half-court line on a basketball court.
    • Action begins when the referee says "En garde! Prêts? Allez!" — or "On guard! Ready? Fence!"
En garde! Prêts? Allez!
(On guard! Ready? Fence!)

Where Fencing Can Lead#

Where can this great sport take you? The potential is limitless.

  • Confidence & Life Skills

    Discipline, respect, and maturity show up in school and beyond.

  • Community for All Ages

    A sport with members from youth to 80‑plus — and welcoming at every level.

  • High‑School & College Paths

    Many teens continue fencing in high school and college — including at the NCAA level. Talk to your club about options.

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Parent FAQs#

You have questions? We have answers. If anything isn't answered here, email us at information@usafencing.org.

Find a Club#