Skills/Fencing 2

This General Skills & Fencing session combines movement, reactions, coordination, accuracy and fencing through a varied selection of games and exercises. As the children progress through the programme, the activities encourage them to become increasingly confident in their movement while developing greater control, concentration and awareness.

The session begins with Freeze Game, providing a lively warm-up that encourages quick reactions, listening and body control. 

Position & Movement 3 (Technical Elimination Game) then continues the development of the children’s core fencing foundations, reinforcing good positioning and increasingly confident, controlled footwork through a competitive elimination game.

Opposite Way Running adds an extra challenge to movement and concentration, requiring children to listen carefully, process information and react appropriately, even when their instinct may tell them to move in a different direction. 

Target Pad Relays then combine teamwork and competition with accuracy, hand-eye coordination and controlled sword skills.

During Fencer & Coach 3, children have another opportunity to transfer their developing skills into fencing matches. Encourage fencers to think about distance, movement, timing and decision-making, while their partner observes from the coaching role and provides positive, helpful feedback.  Chidren will only fence one other pair and the cosch should introduce the theme of 'patterns' into the explanation. 'Coaching' children should now also start to identify patterns of movement in the opponent (i.e. favourite moves) and discuss this in the half time team chat. 

The session finishes with Red Light/Green Light V2, building on the familiar game with additional challenges that test reactions, concentration and movement control.

Throughout the class, encourage children to focus not only on speed but also on accuracy, control and making good decisions. The variety of activities should keep the session energetic and enjoyable while continuing to reinforce the fundamental skills that will support their fencing as the programme progresses.