Fencing Classes at Collierville Arts Academy do not have a start/stop date and students may start and train all year long. However, there is a competition season for fencers at a level where they are ready to compete. The competitive fencing season runs parallel with the general academic school year: August through June - culminating in a National Fencing Championship during the first two weeks of July.
How old do you have to be in order to take Fencing classes?
We have Fencing classes for students as young as 6.5 through adults and even senior citizens.
How do I get started in Fencing?
If your student is below the age of 10, they are immediately placed in the Young Blades classes and can start at anytime. If you or your student is 10 or older, the Fencing Starter Course is where to begin.
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The Fencing Starter Course is a 6-lesson introduction to the modern sport of Fencing. Since Fencing is an unusual sport and is usually only seen in movies, most people don't know what to expect. The Fencing Starter Course will give you all the information, experience, and knowledge to decide if you'd like to become a fencer and continue with regular, ongoing lessons. New students may enroll in the Fencing Starter Course at ANY TIME. No waiting for a start date. No equipment purchase. We supply everything - just come wearing basic workout clothes, ready to learn Fencing!
What happens after the Starter Course is completed?
Students who complete the Fencing Starter Course at CAA will be qualified to make the decision of continuing with their fencing education and development - along with the support and encouragement of their parents/guardians, if under 18. Upon deciding, students are scheduled to a once per week regular group lesson, based on their age.
Fencing students ages 6.5 through 9 are immediately placed in the Young Blades fencing program.
Fencing students ages 10 through 12 are initially enrolled as Youth Recreational Fencers program and thus are placed in the Youth Fencing Group Training classes. They'll attend either once or twice per week.
Fencing students ages 13 and up are initially enrolled as Teen/Adult Recreational Fencers program and thus are placed in the Youth Fencing Group Training classes. They'll attend either once or twice per week.
All new fencing students ages 10 - up should plan to come once per week ONLY for at least the first month of their fencing instruction. After those first two months, fencing students may add another class per week to their schedule.
Why do fencers have to wait to add more classes?
It is our experience and belief that learning to fence well takes time - first and foremost. No one was born Zorro, not even Zorro. Proper training in fencing - as with anything in life - requires patience and dedication. Patience is learned as a beginner by properly progressing through the early stages of development as guided by the coach or instructor. Dedication is supplied by students who attend classes regularly, drill obediently, and apply themselves in a responsible manner - understanding there is a goal in mind and the journey there can be the most enjoyable stage. of the whole process.
New fencing students are eager to spar, fence, and compete. We think that's wonderful - however, harnessing that eagerness and using that energy to develop excellent fundamentals will serve the young/new fencer in the long term rather than providing immediate gratification through crude attempts at competition. There is time enough for embracing the intensity of serious competition, the sense of accomplishment from winning, and the reality of losing when the time is right - and that is not when a new fencer is LEARNING how to fence. Learning how to compete is an advanced lesson.
What about fencing equipment? When do I have to buy the necessary gear?
Typically, new fencing students who have just finished the Fencing Starter Course will want to wait at least one more month before deciding to purchase a set of gear. After that month, you may order the gear you'll need here. Until then, you may continue to borrow our gear while at CAA. If you decide not to purchase your own gear past the first month of regular lessons, you may set up a 'rental' of a set of gear for you.
What type of fencer are you?
All regular, enrolled fencing students are classified according to ability to attend classes, competitions, and their own personal interest level as either Recreational or Competitive.
Recreational Fencers are students who can only or only want to come once or twice per week to Group Training classes are considered part of the Recreational Fencer Program by default. These fencers are not worried about receiving ratings by competing in regional or national events and are simply fencing for the fun and camaradarie! There's nothing wrong with that!
Competitive Fencers have decided they want to COMPETE! They want to go to as many local, regional, and national events as possible to gain experience. They want to become ranked in the Tennessee Division. Because of this motivation and mindset, Competitive Fencers MUST train MUCH more often and more seriously than Recreational Fencers. The competition at each higher-level tournament becomes proportionately more intense. Therefore, Competitive Fencers must schedule a MINIMUM of Group Training twice per week, at least one Open Fencing training time, and four regularly scheduled Private Lessons per month with the Coach.
Is there a difference between the classes and the club? Is there a fee to be a part of the Memphis Fencers Club?
The Memphis Fencers Club is a group of competitive fencers who wish to improve their competition skills through intense sparring and at organized competitions. Club/Practice times are not generally class times; club times are for refining, deepening, polishing, and perfecting competition skills - the only way to do this is regularly spar and compete. Fencers who only come to Practice/Club times pay either a Drop-In Fee or pay a monthly Club Fee that is lower than Training Fees to help with the upkeep and expense of practice and scoring equipment and to help offset fees for hosting tournaments on site.
What is the Registration process for Fencing classes and is there a fee?
Fencing students do not pay a registration fee during the Fencing Starter Course. After the Starter Course is over, if a Starter student decides to join the regular, ongoing Fencing programs at CAA as noted above, a Registration Fee is assessed on the account and they begin to pay monthly tuition.
Registration for all regular, ongoing Fencing students takes place in person at the front counter. Once per year, a Registration Fee is charged to CAA accounts. Our basic Registration Fee (for one student) is $25 and the Family Registration Fee (for 2 or more students from the same family) is $45 total. Registration Fees are due at the time of enrollment.