One of the things that makes épée so fascinating is that it’s often described as physical chess. Success isn’t just about speed—it’s about thinking ahead, staying composed, and choosing exactly the right moment to act.

This week’s tip is all about patience:

• Control the distance – Good footwork helps you stay in control of the bout.
• Use feints – Create opportunities by making your opponent react.
• Use the clock – Smart tactics include knowing when to attack and when to wait.

The best épée fencers know that staying calm under pressure can be just as important as technical skill. A well-timed action is often more effective than rushing in.

Why Choose Épée?

Épée offers a unique blend of physical skill and tactical thinking. Whether you’re new to fencing or looking for a challenge, you’ll enjoy:

• Strategic, thoughtful gameplay
• Exciting one-hit scoring where every touch counts
• Improved focus, discipline, and decision-making
• A welcoming environment where you can develop at your own pace

If you’re looking for a sport that exercises both your body and your mind, why not give épée a try? We’d love to welcome you to the club and help you discover why so many fencers enjoy the challenge of the mental game.

A huge well done to the 15 young fencers who attended our Junior Session on 8th June! 🎉 The session was a fantastic success, with everyone showing great enthusiasm, effort, and a willingness to learn. 💪⚔️

The energy and progress on display were so impressive that we’ve decided to hold another Junior Session earlier than planned!

📅 Monday 22nd June
🤺 All juniors are welcome!

This session will continue to build on the techniques and skills already learned, helping our young fencers grow in confidence and develop their understanding of the sport. 🧠⚡

Whether you joined us on the 8th or are looking to come along for the first time, we’d love to see you there.

🎯 The more, the merrier! Bring your enthusiasm, support your fellow fencers, and let’s keep building a thriving junior fencing community together. 🏅

#JuniorFencing #FutureChampions #FencingCommunity #TrainTogether #TheMoreTheMerrier 🤺✨

A great counter-attack turns defence into offence. Stay composed, read your opponent, and seize the moment when the opportunity appears. 🎯

📝 Key Points

👀 Watch the distance
Good spacing gives you time to react and create openings.

🤺 Extend your arm first
Prepare your attack by extending your arm into point in line (arm straight)

🔄 Use wrist angulation
Subtle blade movements can help you find the target and avoid your opponent’s defence.

⬇️ Duck under high attacks
Use body movement to evade and counter effectively.

💡 Remember: Patience wins points.
⏳ Stay calm.
🧠 Trust your technique.
⚡ Let your opponent make the mistake.

#TipOfTheWeek #FencingTips #CounterAttack #TrainSmart 🏅

Following the fantastic response to our previous sessions, we’re excited to announce another FREE Épée Fencing Taster Session on Monday 8th June, from 6:00pm – 7:15pm at Frisby Village Hall!

This session is open to:

• Complete beginners who would like to give fencing a try
• Anyone who attended the previous sessions and wants to continue building their skills

We’ll be developing the techniques already introduced while keeping the session fun, active, and welcoming for all abilities. No previous experience or equipment is needed — just come along and have a go!

We’re also pleased to share that the aim is to establish regular weekly fencing sessions going forward:

• One week: Ages 12 and under
• Alternate week: Ages 13+

Épée fencing is a brilliant way to improve coordination, confidence, focus, and fitness while learning an exciting Olympic sport.

Spaces are limited, so make sure to reserve your place early. We can’t wait to see returning faces and welcome lots of new ones too!

Look out for our Tips of the Week to help you with your training!

The En Garde Stance
A strong stance keeps you balanced, protected, and ready to attack.
Checklist for a Great Stance
1. Feet Placement
Form an “L” shape with your feet, shoulder-width apart.
• Front foot points forward
• Back foot turns outward at 90°
2. Stay Coiled
Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight centered.
3. Hide the Arm
Keep your elbow tucked in close to your body.
4. Threaten with the Tip
Always aim your blade toward your opponent’s chest or guard.
💡 Beginner Tip: Practice in front of a mirror. If you can see your elbow sticking out, your opponent can hit it.

🤺 Tip of the Week #1: Welcome to Épée – The “Anything Goes” Weapon

Welcome to our first Épée Tip of the Week! If you’re new to the club or thinking about picking up a weapon, you might wonder what makes épée different from foil or sabre.

The shortest answer? Épée is the closest thing to a traditional duel.

The Golden Rules of Épée:

• The Target: Your target is the entire body. From the top of the mask down to the laces on your shoes, everything is fair game.
• The Weapon: The épée is the heaviest of the three swords. It has a large, bell-shaped guard to protect your hand (because, yes, your hand is a valid target too!).
• Right of Way? Nope: Unlike foil and sabre, there is no “right of way” rule. Whoever hits first gets the point.
• The Double Touch: If both fencers hit each other within 0.04 to 0.05 seconds of each other, both get a point.

💡 Beginner Tip: Because the whole body is a target, keeping your guard up and protecting your forward hand and arm is your absolute highest priority.

Next week, we’ll look at the fundamental stance you need to stay safe on the piste!

Following the success of our recent junior beginners sessions, Frisby Fencers is delighted to announce another opportunity for young people to try fencing in a fun, friendly, and supportive environment.

Whether your child is completely new to the sport or simply curious to give it a go, this session is the perfect introduction to fencing fundamentals, movement, and basic sword skills with experienced coaches on hand throughout. Available to those who have attended before to improve their skills too!

Session Details
Date: Monday 11th May
Time: 6:00pm – 7:15pm
Who it’s for: Junior beginners
Equipment: All fencing equipment will be provided

No previous experience is needed — just come along ready to have fun and try something new.

Places are expected to fill quickly after the popularity of our previous sessions, so early enquiries are encouraged.

For further details or to book a place, please email the club directly.

We’re excited to announce a brand-new adult fencing session at our club, open to anyone aged 18 and over!

Fencing is a fast-paced and strategic sport that combines physical fitness with mental focus. Often described as “physical chess,” it involves timing, precision, and quick decision-making. At our club, we specialise in Épée—the discipline where the whole body is a valid target, making for exciting and tactical bouts suitable for all experience levels.

Our club meets every Monday, and we already have a welcoming group of fencers with a wide range of abilities and experience—from complete beginners to more experienced participants. This makes it a great environment to learn at your own pace, improve your skills, and enjoy fencing alongside others.

Whether you’re completely new to fencing or looking to return to the sport, our adult sessions provide a supportive and friendly setting to get involved. All equipment and guidance will be provided, so you can get started with confidence.

If you’re interested in joining or would like to find out more, please get in touch by email—we’d love to hear from you! frisbyfencers@yahoo.com

Our latest junior fencing session was a great success, with 9+ enthusiastic fencers taking to the piste and giving it their all. From the very start, the group showed excellent focus and energy, creating a positive and productive atmosphere throughout.

The session covered a mix of footwork, bladework, and structured sparring, allowing everyone to develop their skills while also building confidence. It was particularly encouraging to see how well the fencers supported each other, demonstrating both determination and good sportsmanship.

Each participant worked hard, stayed engaged, and showed real progress over the course of the session. Whether refining technique or putting new skills into practice, every fencer contributed to making the session both enjoyable and rewarding.

Well done to all who attended—we’re looking forward to seeing you continue to improve in the next session!

We’re excited to announce another FREE fencing taster session — and everyone is welcome!

🗓 Monday 23rd March
⏰ 6:00pm – 7:15pm
📍 Frisby Village Hall

Whether you’re completely new to fencing or have already joined us for a previous session, we’d love to see you on the piste. New faces are very welcome — and so are those who’ve taken part before and would like another go!

All equipment is provided. Just wear:
• Tracksuit bottoms
• Long sleeve t-shirt
• Trainers

Fencing is a fantastic sport for building confidence, coordination, focus, and fitness — all while having lots of fun in a friendly, supportive environment.

If there’s enough interest, we’re hoping to launch a regular Junior group, so this is the perfect chance to come along and give it a try!

Tag a friend who might be interested and spread the word — we can’t wait to see you there! 🤺✨