5 reasons why you should be teaching fencing to kids as a sports coach

Fencing is quickly becoming known as one of the best sports for children to learn. It provides children with a healthy, exciting challenge that pushes them to use both existing physical and mental skills, as well as developing new skills that they will use later in life.

By providing valuable fencing coaching sessions to children, you can help them to develop vital life-skills, become physically healthier, and build character through a fun and safe environment.

Here we look at 5 reasons why sports coaches should be teaching fencing:

 

1. It’s suited to all types of children.

A notable advantage to the sport of fencing is that it is incredibly inclusive. It suits children of all shapes, sizes, and ability levels – encouraging them to utilise their natural characteristics to their advantage. For example, a taller child may have a longer reach than a shorter child, but the shorter child may be faster on their feet and harder to hit.

It is also great for children with different mindsets, as it can teach them to think about how they will approach their opponent and decide what the best strategy for them is.

 

2. It’s an individual sport.

Not every child will enjoy team activities, and fencing is fantastic for those that prefer independent sports. It allows children to form strategies and tactics based on their individual strengths, rather than the strengths of a team. This independence also means that children are in control of their own success or failure.

 

3. It improves self-esteem and promotes character building.

Studies have proven time and time again that participating in sports is great for a child’s self-esteem. Although team sports can significantly improve self-esteem, individual sports usually have the most influence over children’s confidence in themselves and in their abilities. The great thing about fencing is that it fits into both categories.

Fencing is mostly individual and teaches children to take responsibility for their own victories and losses. It gives children the opportunity to reflect on their own performance, learn how to improve and tell themselves that they did the best they could. It is also great for children to learn how to be a part of a team and offers them the opportunity to build relationships through shared experiences.

 

4. It can help to improve academic ability.

By teaching fencing to the children that you coach, you will be handing them the tools and skills they need to improve academically, as well as physically.

Fencing teaches children to form effective strategies, analyse new situations, and to rapidly make complex decisions. These skills are directly transferable to their academic lives and can help them to handle pressure and act with discipline.

 

5. It’s a great workout.

Fencing is great for children’s self-esteem, academic ability and hand-eye coordination. But mostly, it is a great way to get children active and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Coaching fencing can offer children the opportunity to develop themselves physically, and become fitter, stronger, and healthier. Fencing is great as a cardio workout and will naturally help the children you coach to develop athletic ability, cardio-vascular endurance, and core strength.

 

Summary

By offering fencing coaching, you are giving more children the opportunity to get involved in a fun sport that they may not have the chance to elsewhere. As a coach, you act as a role model for children, helping them to develop their own character and confidence – a skill that will help them throughout their life.

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