Who is fencing for?

Fencing is consistently one of the fastest growing high school sports.  It primarily appeals to those athletes we label as “intellectual athletes”.  This type of athlete enjoys computers, video games, maybe engineering, but hasn’t found “their sport” yet.  Fencing could be the next step in their athletic journey.  Fencing also appeals to athletes that have been in more traditional sports, but have found that they are looking for something new, unique…and that has swords!

Speaking of that, fencing absolutely appeals to athletes who enjoy the light sabre duals in Star Wars films, the expert, yet silly, sword play of  The Princess Bride, or the derring do of films like The Three Musketeers, Pirates of the Caribbean and other dashing films.

Many fencers come to the sport in middle school or high school for the first time.  They are seeking something different, something that keeps them active, something that helps them work up a sweat, something that doesn’t involve a ball.  For these reasons and many more, fencing might be the right sport for your child.

Want to learn more about how to get started in fencing?  CLICK HERE to read our brief blog about just that.

Why YEL Fencing Classes

Since 2006 YEL has been offering FIVE STAR fencing classes for students in grades 2-12.  Many of those students have gone on to win local tournaments and a handful of YEL fencers have gone on to be state champions.  Our coaches are safe, well-trained, nurturing leaders who want to share their love of the sport of fencing with other students. 

Since 2006, YEL has had thousands of fencing students enter our fencing program.  We have been told that we are among the largest fencing entities in the USA.

Our focus is to engage youth to think, learn, and play well.  

Want to know more about the Benefits of Fencing?  CLICK HERE to read more.

YEL Fencing classes feature:

• Our trademarked Teach It! Practice It! Play It!® methodology
  • Teach It! – Each class the our coaches teach a number of fencing skills.  Our coaches are trained to give athletes micro-lessons where they give athletes a snippet of information (proper parry technique, as an example).  Each class builds on techniques from the previous class.
  • Practice It! – During the Practice It! portion of class, athletes line up opposite a partner and practice the technique while standing still.  Next, they practice the same technique, but add in footwork, or slightly more complex blade work that leads to the technique in focus.  Athletes then rotate partners every two minutes or less.  This way athletes get practice with partners of varying skills, heights, and abilities.
  • Play It! – Kids love to compete.  During the Play It! portion of each micro-lesson, we game-ify the technique taught into mini-games for the fencers.  Then we end each class with 10-20 minutes of match-style fencing (called “bouts”).  Again, fencers rotate partners throughout this portion of class.  
• Dynamic coaches – Dedicated, well trained, and kid-friendly coaches is the biggest measure of success for our programs.  A quality coach can mean the world of difference for young fencers.  Quality coaches can help the student enjoy the sport more easily, learn technical skills more quickly, and develop their acumen at a greater pace.  YEL coaches are driven to follow our mission to engage youth to think, learn, and play well.
• Comprehensive curriculum – YEL fencing has dozens of lessons for the absolute beginner to students who are training to compete in regional tournaments.
• Safety – Fencing is among the safest of sports, if safety guidelines are followed.  To ensure this, we ask that all students have their fencing mask on anytime they are holding a sword or are around anyone with a sword.  We also use foils (the weapons for one of the fencing sports) with safety tips, thick gloves, thick jackets, chest plates, and plastrons for older fencers.  The rules and techniques we teach also enhance students safety.  Hey, no one wants to be deemed a “Safety Violator” by their coach.
• Equipment – YEL provides all the required fencing equipment for students.  We do suggest that if students are interested in the sport for the long term, that those fencers consider purchasing their own equipment.  Click on this link to see our guide for purchasing your own equipment.

Fencing Tournaments

•  YEL offers fencing tournaments in multiple locations throughout the school year.  To learn more about these, please visit our Fencing Tournament FAQ page.  YEL Fencing tournaments are fantastic for students at the beginner level, but we often have some fencers who are among the top in the state.

Find Classes

• Visit our Registration   page and put in your zip code to find fencing classes in your area.
• YEL fencing classes often meet in the evenings and on weekends in communities near you.
• YEL also offers summer day camps as well.
• Can’t find a YEL fencing program near you?  Email us at info@yelkids.com to discuss how to start classes in your area.

Summer Camps

What a great way to keep your young athlete active over the summer months, and maybe help them find “their sport”!  Summer Fencing Programs are day camps (usually 9am-noon, or 1-4pm) in your area.  We come right to locations within your community and teach our fencing programs in a day camp setting.  Students of all levels can sign up.

Find Summer Camps

Other:

• Want to learn more about how to get started in fencing?  CLICK HERE to read our brief blog about just that.
• Want to know more about the Benefits of Fencing?  CLICK HERE to read more.
• Find out what YEL Coaches feel makes a great coach.  CLICK HERE to read more.