FENCING CLASSES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
The Indianapolis Fencing Club has been training fencers for over 40 years. Our goal is to provide an affordable program that enables our students and members to effectively and continuously improve their skills.
Fencing is an Olympic sport with hundreds of years of tradition. It provides excellent exercise for both the body and the mind (it is often called “physical chess”). It is a life time sport that can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages. Competitive opportunities at the local, regional, and national level are numerous for those that want to compete. Or you can just fence for some fun and exercise. It is an excellent way for students to differentiate themselves from their peers when applying for college admission. There are three weapons in Olympic fencing, Épée, Foil, and Saber, and the IFC provides training in all them.
There are 3 elements to our training: Beginning Fencing Classes, Group Training Programs, and Individual Lessons.
Beginning Fencing Class
This class gives an overview of the sport of fencing to first time fencers, and covers all 3 Olympic weapons – foil, épée, and saber. Basic footwork, blade work, and tactics are taught.
Classes are offered for youth (ages 8 to 12), adults (age 13 and up), and youth/adults (age 8 and up, intended for parents who want to take the class with their child). Classes are 6 weeks long and an hour per week. Club membership is not required and all fencing equipment is provided.
Once students complete this class, they can decide which weapon(s) they prefer, join the club, and then enroll in a group beginning program for that weapon.
You can find the list of upcoming Beginning Fencing Classes here: https://indyfencing.net/how-do-i-start/
Training Programs
The IFC offers group training sessions for fencers of all experience levels. There is a Beginning and Intermediate Program for each of the 3 weapons, and a Competitive Épée Program is also offered. These are add-ons to Basic Membership.
Beginning Épée, Foil, and Saber Programs
After completing a Beginning Fencing Class, new fencers can join the club and enroll in a Beginning Program for the weapon of their choice. These programs are on-going and you can start at any time. They offer a 4 week rotating curriculum of weapon-specific beginning-level training. Once a fencer has mastered the beginning skills, they can advance to the applicable intermediate program. Fencers are encouraged to purchase their own equipment but can continue to borrow club equipment until they get their own.
Intermediate Épée, Foil, and Saber Programs
After completing the applicable Beginner Program, fencers can advance to an intermediate program. Participants in these programs are expected to provide their own full set of electric fencing equipment.
The Intermediate Training Programs are targeted at beginning to intermediate fencers and consist of coach-led group warm-ups; stretching; footwork/blade work drills; training in weapon specific intermediate skill sets; and structured bouts in various tactical situations. These programs are on-going group training sessions designed to help fencers continue to improve their skills.
Competitive Épée Program
The Competitive Épée Program is for advanced épée fencers and is by invitation only.
Individual Lessons
The final element of our training consists of individual lessons. Individual one-on-one instruction can greatly accelerate a student’s progress toward reaching their goals. Private lessons are offered for every level of ability from beginners to advanced competitive fencers.
Private lessons are offered at an additional cost and may be scheduled with the coach of your choice. Please discuss the cost and details with your Coach.
Coaches are listed here: https://indyfencing.net/ifc-staff-members/coaches/#!directory
Please contact your Coach or the IFC (indyfencing@gmail.com) if you have any questions about any of our Classes or Training Programs.