Chilwell Blades Fencing Club

what to expect at 'open' competition's

Going to your first “non-Chilwell” competition can often be a daunting experience. For a start, if you’re fencing

foil (and you’re male!) the check in time is normally first thing in the morning around 9am on a Saturday or

Sunday! In reality though, Opens can be great fun and great experience.

Once you’ve decided to fence outside of our club, the first thing you will need to do is sign up with the British

Fencing Association (BFA). This gives you insurance and a glossy magazine! Membership costs Ł40 per year for

adults and Ł30 for juniors. You can’t fence in competitions without this membership. Once you’ve received your

membership you can start entering competitions – the experienced club members will be able to offer good

advice on which Opens to attend. Typically entry fees are less than Ł15 for one weapon, but you will have to

Before heading off its worth checking you have everything you need. Below is a list of the compulsory and

recommended items I suggest taking:

* Two Weapons – you must take two of your chosen weapon in case anything goes wrong with your primary

weapon. Chilwell can often provide “loaners” if needed.

* Two Body Wires – as above, this is compulsory!

* All Your Kit – Sounds obvious, but whilst there is normally an equipment shop at Opens, it gets costly if you’ve

forgotten your plastron etc!

* Food and Drink – Opens can take a long time to complete and even starting at 9 in the morning you can expect

to need lunch even if you don’t expect to make the final!

* Entertainment – There is often a lot of sitting around waiting for your next fight or the next round of

competition. It’s worth taking a book or MP3 player to keep you amused.

* Fan Base – There’s nothing like support!

So what actually happens at Opens?

When you arrive at the venue, you’ll need to check in and present your BFA Membership card. You can then try

and find somewhere to “camp” yourself and your entourage! At the smaller venues this can often be tricky

unless you arrive early. Make sure you don’t put your bags at the ends of the pistes or you’ll be asked to

move. You’ve generally got between 30 minutes and an hour from when check in closes to when the fights

actually begin, however always listen out for announcements from the organiser (know as the DT). Now’s a

good time to familiarise yourself with the venue – where the changing rooms are, where the pistes are

(sometimes they can be in one or more halls), and if you fancy spending some money, where the equipment

stands are. There will also be an armourer present who can (often for free) make some minor repairs for you

or check your equipment. At some point after check in closes, you’ll be asked to check you’re on the registered

list of fencers. You’ll know where the lists are posted because there’s normally a bit of a crush of people

hanging around it!

Now the fighting starts! The DT will read out a piste number followed by the names of the fighters in that poule.

Generally the first name on the list will collect the score sheet and stop watch and head off to the piste.

When you arrive at the piste, make sure to put a tick mark next to your name to show you are there – and

don’t forget to take your equipment with you (including spare weapon, body wire and drink!). One of the more

experienced fencers will tend to take charge and announce who will be fighting first and who should be getting

ready to fight next. If asked to referee, do not feel embarrassed to say that you don’t feel experienced enough.

You may also be asked to keep time or score even if you don’t preside. Chilwell will help you understand how

each of these things work and it is good practice to get involved at the opens too.

When it comes time for you to fight, go to your side of the piste (the first name called goes to the right of the

referee, unless there is a left hander who always goes to the left) and plug yourself in. When you and your

opponent have wired up, head to the centre of the piste and check your equipment is functioning by gently

touching your weapon against the opponents lame. You can then head back to the engarde line and salute your

opponent and the referee (always salute before you put your mask on!). Now to victory – or at the very least

good experience!

After the fight (remember the poule will be to 5 hits or 3 minutes), remember to shake your opponents hand

with your non-fighting arm. Typically you’ll have two or three fights before your next bout so get some rest and

a drink. Its worth watching the other fights to either pick up some tips for the people you’ll be fencing.

After you have completed all your fights, there may still be remaining fights in your poule. It is good manners to

remain at the piste until all fights have been finished. You should then shake everyone’s hand and sign off the

score sheet against your name. Again, its now time to relax for a while!

Get some rest and some food and drink (and if you’re lucky a bit of coaching from other Chilwell fencers at the

event!) and wait for the announcements. At some point after all the poules have been completed the DT will

announce the results have been posted and you can check your seeding. The lists will be posted close to the

original list of fighters, but there tends to be a bit more of a crush this time! You’ll then have to wait for either

the second round of poules or the Direct Elimination (DE) rounds. If there is a second round of poules they are

run in exactly the same way as above – you’ll just end up fighting a different group of fencers.

For the DE there are obviously only two fencers in each fight (although they tend to announce at least two fights

on each piste). Once again listen out for your name and the piste number you’re fighting on. Again head to the

piste and when called connect up to the equipment. The same rules apply about which side to go to and the

checks and salutes. The fight will now be to 15 hits in three periods of 3 minutes fighting (if it takes that long!).

At the end of the fight, shake hands again, this time with both your opponent and the referee and sign off the

score sheet.

Assuming victory – and why shouldn’t we! – you’ll have to wait for the next round of DE’s which could be quite

some time, so hopefully you’ll have saved some of your refreshments from earlier! This pattern will continue

until you are knocked out (or win the entire competition of course!).

Whatever the outcome, when you have finished fighting for the day, remember to collect all your equipment

together and the rest of the day is yours to do with as you please!

As I said earlier, whilst Opens seem daunting, they are in fact great fun and the best place to practice and

improve your fencing skills as well as meeting generally nice people!

Have fun and see you at the Opens!

Andy Smith

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