Thinking about putting your kid in fencing?

Fencing is a unique sport, with the grace of ballet, the strategy of chess, and the agility and strength of a martial art. It’s a high-potential and high-skill sport that offers kids virtually endless opportunities. Whether your kid is only four or already in high school, they’re going to get a lot out of fencing. Here’s everything you need to know to get your kid started in the sport.

The benefits of fencing for kids

Fencing offers a wide range of benefits for kids of all ages, including:

  • Developing good sportsmanship and self-discipline

  • Gaining strength, agility, endurance, and balance

  • Learning tactical and strategic thinking

  • Developing confidence

  • Making friends and being part of a community

  • Having fun!

As fencers improve, they also gain opportunities to compete at the highest levels of the sport, including in regional events and national championships, and even the World Championships or Olympic Games. For many, fencing opens up educational opportunities, as well. Sheridan Fencing Academy students have been recruited to some of the best schools in the United States, including Harvard, Princeton, Brown, UPenn, John Hopkins, Vassar, MIT, and more!

What age should kids start fencing?

There is no wrong age to start fencing! Kids can even start fencing as young as four years old.

Our 4-6 Year Old group uses plastic and foam fencing equipment to introduce kids to the basic movements and skills of the sport through games and exercises designed to emphasize excitement and fun.

In the 7-9 Year Old age group, kids start using regular fencing equipment as they develop a fuller understanding of the sport and improve their coordination, balance, strength, reaction, and concentration.

The program for the 10 & Older group creates a path for our students to become competitive fencers. At Sheridan Fencing Academy, our curriculum progresses kids through ten levels of training, helping them become increasingly more masterful in the sport. Our goal is to provide multiple opportunities for kids to achieve whatever their dreams may be!

Did you know? We offer a free trial class to all kids who want to try fencing (and a trial class for adults that costs just $25).

Is fencing safe?

Yes! Fencing is one of the oldest Olympic sports with a long history of safety and with far lower injury rates than basketball or soccer. The equipment is designed to keep participants safe in the fast-paced, exciting world of a high-energy sport. And, of course, our instructors always prioritize the safety of all of the participants in our classes and lessons. Every sport carries some risk of injury, but fencing is one of the safest.

Your role as a fencing parent

The most important role parents have in any of their children’s activities is that of unconditional supporter. Parents play a crucial role in their children's fencing experience, and their support can significantly impact a young fencer's development and progress. It is important for parents to focus on their child’s effort and personal growth rather than on winning or losing, as this helps instill resilience and a love for the sport. Parents can help their children navigate the challenges of fencing, building confidence and reinforcing the life lessons that come with teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

Parents are in a unique position to help their kids understand the importance of the process of training instead of being fixated on whether they’re winning enough or doing better than someone else. This mindset fosters skill development, discipline, and a deeper understanding of the sport. While winning can provide immediate gratification, it is the consistent effort put into practice that builds a solid foundation for improvement and mastery. Through regular practice, fencers learn to refine their technique, overcome challenges, and enhance their mental resilience. Ultimately, the effort put in during practice is what prepares athletes for competition, making it the true measure of progress in their journey.

Fencing classes for all ages

Sheridan Fencing Academy offers classes for kids as young as four years old.
Here’s the full list of fencing classes in NYC and Westchester.

  • Start your young musketeers off with a fun and safe introduction to the sport. Our 4-6 year old fencing group lessons are filled with fun games and play to help your child develop the motor skills and concentration they’ll need to excel in fencing, and in life.

    Our 4-6 year old fencing group lessons are 40 minutes long for optimal concentration and learning.

  • This program focuses on doing more than just teaching your child how to fence. It helps them learn the sport through games and play, along with a range of activities that focus on improving coordination, balance, strength, reaction, and concentration.

    All 7-9 year old fencing group lessons are one hour long.

  • This is where more advanced fencing lessons begin. Students work through our unique curriculum by taking periodic tests, similar to belt tests in martial arts, that assess their progress.

    These fencing group lessons start at one hour, and become longer and more in-depth as the athletes progress through each level. At Level II, the student stays for 90 minutes. Once the student reaches Level III, they stay for a full two hour class.

  • Fencing isn’t just for kids! We offer group lessons for beginner and experienced adult fencers. This is a high-energy workout that combines exercise with instruction to teach and improve your fencing skills.

    Adult memberships include access to any of our adult classes, and the use of our fencing gym during open practice times.