Fencing is the sport of swordplay. It began thousands of years ago as a way to train soldiers. During the Middle Ages it became the sport of kings and nobility, who used fencing to settle disputes of honor through duels. Today, it is a safe and competitive sport and is one of the five original sports of the modern Olympic Games.
Fencing is a fast-paced game and a perfect form of cardiovascular activity. Like all aerobic exercise, it burns calories, helping those who do it to lose weight and stay in shape. While physical ability is necessary for a fencer, it is the mental agility that enables participation from a wide-range of age groups. Fondly referred to as “physical chess,” fencing is also a contest of mental agility that involves the mind, body and spirit of the player.
Fencing provides a well-rounded form of mental and physical exercise essential for total health and wellness. The physical benefits from the sport, as well as its Olympic values of sportsmanship, help children reach their potential in many areas other than fencing.
BENEFITS of FENCING
There are many benefits to participating in youth fencing:
♦ Develop good sportsmanship
♦ Instill self-discipline
♦ Acquire healthy competitive spirit
♦ Achieve healthy body
♦ Practice strategic thinking