Your idea of fencing might be slightly skewed: glamorous, over-the-top sword fighting with jumps and stabs. Real fencing is nothing like that at all; in fact, we do not even call our weapons swords. Even though we are not swashbuckling pirates, fencing is just as fun (plus, stealing treasure is quite dangerous). If you wish to know what it takes to be a fencer, then let me give you an inside scoop about what happens during the first week of fencing.
A typical day of practice starts with the team gathering in the small gym. A captain will lead the team in stretches so no one hurts themselves. Next, the team will head to stairway three and do “stairs–” a running exercise that works on endurance and strength. The team usually does two to three laps, running up stairway three, into the physics hallway, and back down stairway one. After that, dynamic warmups include high knees, cherry pickers, and karaoke (the warmup, not the fun singing activity). Once warmups are complete, teammates will divide into their squads: epee, sabre, and foil (the three different weapon types). From there, each squad drills and fences each other to prepare for upcoming meets.
The first week is always a little special. Instead of jumping right into practice bouts and drilling, we have to test equipment to make sure it’s ready for the season. The next few days are focused on sorting the newcomers into their weapons. Coaches will organize games to analyze speed, point control, and strategy. Around the end of the first week, the final sorting activity of “glove fencing” takes place. Freshman/new teammates will use their gloves to fence against each other. Once each of them participates, coaches and captains convene to make a final decision on the newbies.
The sorting ceremony is the main event. The newbies gather in the middle while the three squads sit around them. The coaches call their names one by one, and the rest of the team will give them a drumroll. Then the coaches will tell them their weapon and send them to sit with their new squad.
The rest of the season is still ahead of us, with the first fencing meet on the 17th at Northern Highlands. The fencing team has always been full of dedicated, hard workers who are ready to provide Valley with a winning season.
