Spring Schedule Changes Coming to MoDuel!

We have big updates coming to the schedule starting in March! This includes some completely new classes, some changes to existing class times, and some changes to how we determine class eligibility.

Jump to…

• Class eligibility
• Intro to Fencing classes
• Training classes
• Supplemental classes
• The advanced level

Class Eligibility

There are two factors that determine which classes you can attend: your age category and your level. If you’re unsure if you’re eligible for a particular class, or if you’re interested in a class you aren’t officially eligible for, talk to your coach.

Age Categories

Youth: Fencers ages 8-12

Cadet: Fencers ages 13-17

Adult: Fencers ages 18+

Some classes are open to fencers from multiple age categories (e.g. the Senior Training Class for both cadet and adult fencers).

Levels

Beginner: Fencers who are in their first two months of training and have not yet graduated from the Intro to Fencing program.

Novice: Youth & cadet fencers who are in the second half (months two – four) of the Intro to Fencing program. This level doesn’t apply to adult fencers.

Intermediate: Fencers who have graduated from the Intro to Fencing program. Fencers stay at this level until they and their coach determine they’re ready to move up to the advanced level. If you aren’t sure which level you are, it’s probably this one.

Advanced: Fencers who have developed a proficiency with all intermediate-level skills, who are competing regularly, and who are actively working to achieve a high level of success in fencing. Fencers can move up to this level only after a discussion with their coach.

Intro to Fencing Classes

Our Intro to Fencing classes are the classes that all new fencers start with. If you’re currently in the Intro to Fencing Program, these will be the only classes you’re eligible for.

Adult Intro to Fencing Class

Ages: Adult (18+)
Levels: Beginner
Class times: Mondays @ 7:30PM, Wednesdays @ 7:30PM, Saturdays @ 10:00AM
Duration: 1 hour

This is the introductory class for all adult (18+) fencers. Fencers will learn all of the skills they need to prepare them for higher level classes, bouting, and competitions. Classes are one hour long. After two months, fencers graduate from the Intro to Fencing Program and move up to the intermediate level.

Cadet Intro to Fencing Class

Ages: Cadet (13-17)
Levels: Beginner & novice
Class times: Tuesdays @ 6:00PM, Thursdays @ 6:00PM, Saturdays @ 2:30PM
Duration: 1 hour (beginners), 1.5 hours (novices)

This is the introductory class for all cadet (13-17) fencers. Fencers will learn all of the skills they need to prepare them for higher level classes, bouting, and competitions. Fencers spend their first two months as beginners, attending classes for one hour at a time. Fencers then move up to the novice level, where they’ll spend an additional two months in the Intro to Fencing Class, now attending for an hour and a half. The Cadet Intro to Fencing Program lasts a total of four months

Youth Intro to Fencing Class

Ages: Youth (8-12)
Levels: Beginner & novice
Class times: Tuesdays @ 4:30PM, Thursdays @ 4:30PM, Saturdays @ 1:00PM
Duration: 1 hour (beginners), 1.5 hours (novices)

This is the introductory class for all youth (8-12) fencers. Fencers will learn all of the skills they need to prepare them for higher level classes, bouting, and competitions. Fencers spend their first two months as beginners, attending classes for one hour at a time. Fencers then move up to the novice level, where they’ll spend an additional two months in the Intro to Fencing Class, now attending for an hour and a half. The Youth Intro to Fencing Program lasts a total of four months.

Training Classes

These are the core classes for all fencers who have graduated from the Intro to Fencing Program. These classes are intended to develop skills that are relevant to all types of fencers, from just-doing-it-for-fun fencers to training-to-be-national-champion fencers.

Senior Training Class

Ages: Adult (18+) & cadet (13-17)
Levels: Intermediate & above
Class times: Mondays @ 6:30PM, Wednesdays @ 6:30PM
Duration: 1.5 hours

This is the core training class for senior fencers (13+, which includes both adults and cadets). Fencers will work on developing skills important to all levels, and the exercises we do can scale to be as easy or as difficult as you need them to be. Classes are an hour and a half long and include footwork, bladework, and on-strip/bouting practice.

Youth Training Class

Ages: Youth (8-12)
Levels: Intermediate & above
Class times: Wednesdays @ 4:30PM, Fridays @ 4:30PM
Duration: 1.5 hours

This is the core training class for youth fencers (8-12). Fencers will work on developing skills important to all levels, and the exercises we do can scale to be as easy or as difficult as you need them to be. Classes are an hour and a half long and include footwork, bladework, and on-strip/bouting practice.

Supplemental Classes

For fencers who want to get more out of their training, we’re now offering a variety of different supplemental classes.

Competitor Class

Ages: All
Levels: Advanced
Class times: Fridays @ 6:00PM
Duration: 2 hours

This class is intended for serious fencers aiming to achieve a high level of competitive success – whatever that may mean to each fencer. Classes are focused on building the skills most relevant to competitive success and helping each fencer reach their own individual goals. This program is student -driven and will require fencers to do additional work/training outside of class (attending tournaments, doing self-reflection, etc.)

Drill Session

Ages: All
Levels: Intermediate & above
Class times: Tuesdays @ 7:30PM, Thursdays @ 7:30PM, Saturdays @ 11:00AM
Duration: 30 minutes

These 30-minute sessions are all about the idea of deliberate practice – repeatedly training an action until “perfection”, not mindlessly but with conscious and directed effort. Unlike our core training classes, these sessions are all technique and no tactics.

Strength & Mobility

Ages: All
Levels: Novice & above
Class times: Mondays @ 6:00PM, Saturdays @ 11:30AM
Duration: 30 minutes

These 30-minute sessions consist of moderate-to-high intensity yoga-inspired exercises to help build physical skills like mobility, stability, flexibility, and strength (especially core strength).

Cardio & Conditioning

Ages: All
Levels: Novice & above
Class times: Wednesdays @ 6:00PM, Saturdays @ 12:00PM
Duration: 30 minutes

These 30-minute sessions consist of moderate-to-high intensity exercises to help build physical skills like aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance, speed, agility, and explosiveness. Expect to sweat!

The Advanced Level

Along with the new schedule, we’re announcing a new level that fencers can qualify for: advanced! (Note: this is different from the current Adult Advanced Class, which is getting renamed with the new schedule).

What is the advanced level?
All fencers have a level. If you’ve graduated from the Intro Program, you’re probably at the intermediate level. Advanced is the level above that. It describes fencers who have mastered all the intermediate-level skills, who compete regularly, and who are chasing after serious competitive success.

What’s special about the advanced level?
Advanced fencers are eligible for our new Competitor Class.

How do I know if I’m at the advanced level?
In order to officially move up to the advanced level, you’ll need to talk to your coach (whoever you take lessons with). The list of requirements are below.

Requirements

• Must attend practice at least 3 times a week
• Must take at least weekly private lessons
• Must compete regularly (at least every other month, on average)
• Must be comfortable discussing tactics and strategies, recalling/describing actions, and analyzing bouts
• Must be actively working towards your own competitive goals
• Must be comfortable both using and describing all intermediate-level skills and concepts:
  • Offense, counteroffense & defense
  • Push vs. pull
  • Direct vs. indirect
  • With vs. without opposition
  • Parries 6, 8, 4, 2 & 1
  • Stophits
  • Lunges with forward & backward recoveries
  • Fleches
  • Feints
  • Second intention
  • Timing

Note that there are not requirements related to previous competitive success, your rating, how long you’ve been fencing, or what your future goals must be. Those things aren’t important. What is important is that you’re actively striving to reach your own personal version of competitive success – whatever that looks like for you!