Skills/Fencing 1

This General Skills & Fencing session combines controlled footwork, balance, accuracy, teamwork and fencing, encouraging children to maintain good technique while taking part in a range of energetic and competitive challenges.

The session begins with Cone Steal V3, where children use their sword to collect a cone from the middle, travelling towards it and back using fencing footwork rather than running. The activity develops timing and patience, distance judgement, control, coordination and speed of movement, while encouraging children to maintain good technique under pressure.

Position & Movement 2 reinforces the children’s fencing foundations, focusing on balance, positioning and controlled advances and retreats.

Cone Balance Relay challenges children to balance cones on their swords while moving, testing concentration, coordination and control. The relay format adds friendly competition, but children need to remain composed and controlled if they are to complete the challenge successfully.

Target Pad Relays x2 progressively develop accuracy, reactions and hand-eye coordination. In the first relay, children strike static target pads held by the coach, allowing them to concentrate on accurate, controlled hits. The second relay increases the difficulty by introducing moving target pads, requiring children to watch carefully, react and adjust their action to successfully hit the target.

The Fencer & Coach 2 section gives children the opportunity to transfer these developing skills into fencing matches, focusing on distance, timing, footwork and decision-making, while their partner observes and provides positive coaching feedback.

Throughout the session, encourage children to recognise that accuracy and control are just as important as speed, particularly as familiar skills are made progressively more challenging.This General Skills & Fencing session builds on the children’s developing skills through a mixture of movement, coordination, reactions, tactical games and fencing. The activities encourage children to apply good technique while also beginning to think more carefully about timing, decision-making and how they respond to others.

The session starts with Sword Race, providing an energetic challenge that encourages speed, control and concentration. 

Position & Movement 2 (Speed Awareness) then develops the children’s fencing foundations further, reinforcing good positioning and helping them become more confident and controlled in their footwork and understanding how to adapt to different speeds.

Cone Steal V1 introduces an element of tactical thinking alongside speed and reactions. Children need to watch, make decisions and choose the right moment to act, rather than relying purely on being the fastest. Sword Steal – Base x3 continues this theme, challenging awareness, movement, reactions and decision-making in a fun competitive environment.

The Fencer & Coach 2 section gives children another opportunity to transfer these skills into their fencing. Encourage fencers to think about their movement, distance, timing and choice of attack, while the children taking the coaching role develop their observation and communication skills by watching carefully and offering positive, useful feedback.  Children will make one pair change so they can experience a different match and a need for alternative tactics and strategy. 

As with all General Skills & Fencing sessions, the emphasis should be on reinforcing strong foundations while gradually adding greater challenge and independence. Keep the session energetic and enjoyable, encourage children to think about why an action worked, and celebrate good decision-making and control alongside speed and success.