A Complete Beginner's Guide to Fencing in Singapore

To start fencing in Singapore, request a trial lesson at a club, wear sports clothes and closed shoes. At Fencing Masters the trial needs no protective gear, and the club lends beginners a mask, jacket and blade once they join. You do not need any equipment or experience, and you can start from age 3 (privately) or age 7 (in a group) right through to your 90s.

Maybe you saw it at the Olympics, maybe your child asked about “sword fighting class”, or maybe you want a sport that works your body and mind at the same time. This guide covers the weapons, how a bout works, safety, cost factors and your first lesson.

What is fencing?

Fencing is an Olympic combat sport where two athletes use light swords to score points by hitting each other within strict rules and a defined target area. It looks fast and dramatic, but underneath the flashing blades is a game of distance, timing and decision making, closer to a fast-moving tactical puzzle than to the movies. Every attack has an answer, and every fencer is constantly reading their opponent and adjusting.

That’s part of why it appeals to such a wide range of people. Patience and quick thinking count as much as speed and reflex, so you don’t need to be the fastest or strongest person on the strip to do well. Fencing does not use weight classes either; here is why.

What are the three fencing weapons?

Fencing has three disciplines, each with its own weapon, target area and rhythm. You’ll usually pick one to focus on, though many fencers try all three before settling in.

• Foil: a light weapon with a small target area limited to the torso. Right of way rules decide who scores when both fencers hit at once.
• Épée: the whole body is a valid target, and there’s no right of way. Whoever hits first scores, unless both hits land within about 40 milliseconds of each other, in which case both score.
• Sabre: fast and aggressive, points are scored with cuts as well as thrusts, and the target area includes the upper body and head.

Each weapon has a different feel and suits different personalities, some fencers love the tactical patience of épée, others prefer the explosive pace of sabre. If you want a deeper comparison before choosing, our guide on foil vs sabre vs épée breaks down the differences in far more detail. You can also read more about the three weapons on our site.

How does a fencing bout work?

A fencing bout takes place on a long, narrow strip called a piste, about 14 metres long. Fencers start at a ready position, salute, and begin on the referee’s command. Points are scored by landing a valid hit on the target area with the tip (or edge, for sabre) of the weapon, and modern equipment uses electronic scoring so hits register automatically. Bouts are refereed closely, with rules governing right of way, target area and what counts as a valid action.

It sounds like a lot to take in, but nobody expects a beginner to understand all of this before their first class. Coaches introduce the rules gradually, usually starting with footwork and basic blade work long before real bouting begins.

Is fencing safe?

Safety is one of the first questions most parents and new adult students ask, given the swords involved. In practice, fencing is a well-regulated, low-injury sport. Full protective equipment, including masks, jackets, underarm protectors (plastrons) and gloves, is standard, and blades are flexible and blunt-tipped. Contact is controlled and rule-bound, unlike full-contact combat sports.

For a full breakdown of equipment, supervision and what makes the sport appropriate for young students, see our article on whether fencing is safe for kids in Singapore.

Who can learn fencing?

One of the most appealing things about fencing is how wide its age range really is. At Fencing Masters, we welcome students from roughly age 3 right through to age 90, with different programme structures depending on age and goals.

• Young children often start with private coaching, building coordination and focus before joining group classes.
• Kids and teens from age 7 typically join our Youth Academy group classes, learning technique, discipline and sportsmanship alongside peers, with private coaching available from age 3 for younger children.
• Adults can start from scratch through programmes like Fencing for Fitness, which combines fencing footwork and drills with a proper workout.
• Seniors are very welcome too. Fencing is low impact on joints compared to many contact sports, and it may help keep reaction time and mental focus sharp at any age.

Schools and organisations can also arrange fencing through our School CCA & SEP programmes or Corporate sessions, and students interested in stage combat can explore our Theatrical Fencing offering.

What happens at a first fencing lesson?

A first lesson is designed to be approachable. You won’t be handed a sword and told to duel. Expect an introduction to stance, basic footwork such as the advance and retreat, and simple blade handling, all taught by a coach who works with complete beginners every week. Most beginners meet the same handful of slip-ups, which we cover in common beginner fencing mistakes and how to fix them.

We lend you the mask, jacket and blade once you join, for the first 8 lessons in a group class, on a membership of 8 weeks or longer (on a 4-week membership, the loan covers those 4 weeks), or for the first 10 lessons in private coaching with a 10-lesson pack (the first 5 with a 5-lesson pack or single lessons), so there is nothing to buy up front. Wear comfortable athletic clothing and closed shoes, and come ready to move.

For a detailed walkthrough of what to expect, read our guide on what to expect in your first fencing lesson.

How much do fencing lessons cost?

Cost is a common question, and understandably so, since fencing has a reputation for being an expensive sport. The cost depends on several factors: whether you choose group or private coaching, how many sessions per week you attend, whether you need to eventually purchase your own equipment, and which programme you join. We do not publish prices here, so ask the coach for current rates when you request a trial. Our detailed breakdown of the factors involved is available in our article on how much fencing lessons cost in Singapore.

How do I get started?

There’s no perfect moment to start fencing, and it is never too late to try. A trial lesson is the easiest way to find out whether the sport suits you before making any commitment.

Head coach Jeffrey Lopez founded Fencing Masters in 1995. The club coaches from a first lesson through to national team level, and beginners of any age and ability are welcome.

A simple way to start:

1. Decide who the lesson is for (you, your child, or both of you).
2. Wear sports clothes and closed shoes. Leave the equipment to the club.
3. Tell the coach your goal, whether that is fitness, fun, a school place or competition.

The next step is a single lesson: request a trial lesson and the coach will confirm the details.