En Garde Practices 1st Term 2006

Before attending a particular practice for the first time, a fencer should first confirm that it would permissible to attend that group. The following needs to be taken into consideration:

• Certain schools have practices available only to their pupils, except by special arrangement.

• Age-group of the lesson: U13 is primary school and "open" is high school and adults, or everyone.

• Some children have the necessary concentration and co-ordination from as young as 6 years old, so if there is a suitable group for them, they can certainly give it a go!

• Members of school fencing clubs only have that one lesson a week.

• Members of Peninsula Swords or False Bay can attend as many suitable club practices as they wish.

• Members of the squad are welcome to attend any practice of any club, as long as prior arrangements have been made. They should aim to go to two, preferably three practices each week.

• "Individual lessons" is time available for bouting. The standard lesson of one hour doesn't allow much time for "free-play:, so fencers must allow for this in their program.

• The first 15 minutes of high school practices are "captain's" time, during which they lead the group with a warm-up game and stretching.

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