Skills/Fencing 5

This General Skills & Fencing session develops footwork, coordination, concentration, reactions and accuracy, with activities that increasingly challenge children to process information while moving. The combination of physical and thinking challenges encourages children to stay controlled and focused even when they need to react quickly.

The session begins with Agility Ladder V1 – Advance, using the ladder to reinforce the rhythm and coordination required for the fencing advance. Encourage children to focus on controlled, accurate footwork and balance rather than simply trying to complete the ladder as quickly as possible.

Position & Movement 6 - (Shadow Fencing) continues to strengthen the children’s core fencing foundations, developing confidence in their stance, balance, footwork agility and ability to move with control. As these movements become more familiar, encourage children to maintain good technique while responding to increasingly varied instructions. Shadow Fencing encourages the children to focus on spatial awareness and quick reactions. 

Target Pad Mind – Hit the Opposite Pad adds an important thinking challenge. Children must process what they see or hear and then perform the opposite response, testing concentration, reactions and decision-making alongside hand-eye coordination and accuracy. Encourage children to think before reacting rather than simply responding automatically.

Target Pad Accumulator introduces a fun team challenge where children must successfully complete an increasing number of targets as they progress through each stage. The pressure gradually builds because if the team fails to complete the required sequence before reaching the end, they must return to the beginning and start again. This tests accuracy and concentration while also developing patience, resilience and teamwork, as every successful attempt contributes towards the team's progress.

The Fencer & Coach 6 section gives children the opportunity to apply these developing skills in their fencing matches. Encourage fencers to think about footwork, distance, timing and choosing the right moment to act, while their partner observes carefully and provides positive, constructive feedback.

Throughout the session, reinforce that good fencing requires children to move, observe, think and react at the same time. Celebrate accuracy, persistence and good teamwork alongside speed, particularly when children recover positively from a mistake and try again.This General Skills & Fencing session develops footwork, coordination, concentration, reactions and accuracy, with activities that increasingly challenge children to process information while moving. The combination of physical and thinking challenges encourages children to stay controlled and focused even when they need to react quickly.

The session begins with Agility Ladder V1 – Advance, using the ladder to reinforce the rhythm and coordination required for the fencing advance. Encourage children to focus on controlled, accurate footwork and balance rather than simply trying to complete the ladder as quickly as possible.

Position & Movement 6 - (Shadow Fencing) continues to strengthen the children’s core fencing foundations, developing confidence in their stance, balance, footwork agility and ability to move with control. As these movements become more familiar, encourage children to maintain good technique while responding to increasingly varied instructions. Shadow Fencing encourages the children to focus on spatial awareness and quick reactions. 

Target Pad Mind – Hit the Opposite Pad adds an important thinking challenge. Children must process what they see or hear and then perform the opposite response, testing concentration, reactions and decision-making alongside hand-eye coordination and accuracy. Encourage children to think before reacting rather than simply responding automatically.

Target Pad Accumulator introduces a fun team challenge where children must successfully complete an increasing number of targets as they progress through each stage. The pressure gradually builds because if the team fails to complete the required sequence before reaching the end, they must return to the beginning and start again. This tests accuracy and concentration while also developing patience, resilience and teamwork, as every successful attempt contributes towards the team's progress.

The Fencer & Coach 6 section gives children the opportunity to apply these developing skills in their fencing matches. Encourage fencers to think about footwork, distance, timing and choosing the right moment to act, while their partner observes carefully and provides positive, constructive feedback. The children should be encouraged to fous on the big 4 mistakes, patterns of movement and strenghts and weaknesses as well having two different matches. 

Throughout the session, reinforce that good fencing requires children to move, observe, think and react at the same time. Celebrate accuracy, persistence and good teamwork alongside speed, particularly when children recover positively from a mistake and try again.