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GETTING STARTED
1. I am interested in learning more about Bay State Fencers. Where do I begin?
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
2. Where is Bay State Fencers located?
3. Is parking available at Bay State Fencers?
4. Is Bay State Fencers accessible by Public Transportation?
SCHEDULE & CALENDAR
5. When is Bay State Fencers Open?
YOUTH FENCERS
6. What age is good to begin fencing instruction at Bay State Fencers?
10. How do I help my fencer select between foil, epee and sabre?
11. How will I know if my child is ready for private lessons?
12. How do I select a Coach for my fencer?
13. What does it mean to have a Coach? What is the proper etiquette for having a Coach?
ADULT FENCERS
16. Can I benefit from private lessons?
18. What does it mean to have a Coach? What is the proper etiquette for having a Coach?
GETTING STARTED
1. I am interested in learning more about Bay State Fencers. Where do I begin?
Bay State Fencers was established to introduce and promote the Olympic sport of fencing to neighborhoods in and around Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. Bay State Fencers operates year round and is home to fencers of all ages and athletic abilities. As a permanent facility, we are able to offer the community a full service fencing academy and fencing club. We offer instructional programs for students age seven (7) and older, vacation and summer training clinics, and open fencing for experienced fencers five to seven days per week, depending on the season.
Bay State Fencers is also home to The Stage Combat Studio.
To learn more please visit Bay State Fencers. Visitors are always welcome to stop by during our business hours or to make an appointment for a tour.
Call us at 617 591-0101 or email us at info@baystatefencers.com
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
2. Where is Bay State Fencers located?
Bay State Fencers is located between Harvard Square and Lechmere Station just off Cambridge Street in Somerville, Massachusetts. Our facility is located in a commercial loft complex at 561 Windsor Street on the Somerville/ Cambridge line, just outside of Union Square.
Our Suite is located in building A on the 4th Floor; Suite A 401.
Find Us!
3. Is parking available at Bay State Fencers?
Bay State Fencers occupies a commercial loft with an adjacent parking lot.
Parking is free!
4. Is Bay State Fencers accessible by Public Transportation?
Bay State Fencers is easily accessible by Public Transportation. The #69 MBTA bus runs frequently along Cambridge Street between Harvard Square and Lechmere Station. The Red Line has stations in both Harvard Square and Lechmere Station.
MBTA information
SCHEDULE & CALENDAR
5. When is Bay State Fencers Open?
Fencing Season
September through June
Bay State Fencers is open seven days a week during the fencing season. Please check our Interactive Calendar for our most up to date hours.
• Monday to Friday: 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm
• Saturday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Sunday: By Appointment
View our Interactive Calendar!
YOUTH FENCERS
6. What age is good to begin fencing instruction at Bay State Fencers?
Young fencers should be at least 7 years old or in the second grade. In our experience by age 7 most boys and girls are ready to respond well to both group and private instruction. We have appropriately sized equipment and uniforms for this age group and most importantly they will have fencing partners.
7. My child is interested in learning to fence. What opportunities are available for my child at Bay State Fencers?
Fencing is a fun and very safe individual youth sport that is great for all ages and all athletic abilities. Bay State Fencers Learn to Fence Programs are eight-weeks long and are designed to introduce the novice fencer to the game, the etiquette and the history of the sport. Uniforms and equipment are provided for the duration of this program.
If your child is 7 to 9 and in the second or third grade Kids Learn to Fence is the appropriate program to enroll your child in.
If your child is 8 to 11 Youth Learn to Fence is the appropriate program to enroll your child in.
If your child is 11 to 14 Junior Learn to Fence is the appropriate program to enroll your child in.
8. My child has already had some fencing instruction. What opportunities are available for my child at Bay State Fencers?
Bay State Fencers Fencing Programs are ongoing throughout the fencing season and enrollment is rolling. Students learn proper stance, basic footwork, blade work, and beginning tactics. The foundation of these programs is exercises and games that strengthen the body and improve mobility.
If your child is 7 to 9 and has already had some fencing instruction Kids Foil or Kids Sabre are the appropriate programs to enroll your child in.
If your child is 8 to 11 and has already had some fencing instruction Youth Foil & Youth Epee is the appropriate program to enroll your child in.
If your child is 11 to 14 and has had some fencing instruction Junior Foil & Junior Epee is the appropriate program to enroll your child in.
To encourage good health and responsibility fencers are required to own their own fencing uniform for these programs. The fencing mask, fencing glove, jacket & under arm protector are the minimum requirement.
9. My child is interested in becoming a competitive fencer. What opportunities are available for my child at Bay State Fencers?
Bay State Fencers Junior Competitive Fencing Programs are designed for the fencer aged 10 to 18 who has some fencing experience and who is interested in training for competition. Junior Competitive Programs in Foil, Epee and Sabre are ongoing throughout the fencing season and enrollment is by permission.
Junior Competitive fencers are required to own their own uniform and equipment.
10. How do I help my fencer select between Foil, Epee and Sabre?
Fencers are introduced to all three weapons in Learn to Fence, though most of the training in these classes is in Foil. Most fencers 8 to 14 enjoy participating in either our Youth Foil & Epee Program or our Junior Foil & Epee Program for sixteen to twenty four weeks before finally selecting their preferred weapon.
A child’s temperament is often a good indicator of which weapon your child will both enjoy and excel at. Kids who enjoy fast paced games and rules often enjoy foil, kids who enjoy games of strategy often enjoy epee, and kids who enjoy activities that require quick bursts of energy often enjoy saber.
All of our coaches are experts in their field and are always happy to guide you. We recommend that you begin by speaking with your fencer's class coach.
11. How will I know if my child is ready for private lessons?
We encourage young fencers to take the eight-week age appropriate Learn to Fence Program and to participate in a Fencing Program before beginning private lessons.
Private lessons give the fencer the opportunity to work one-on-one with their coach to develop skills, to work on technique and strategy and to develop a supportive coach-athlete relationship. Working privately with a coach also allows the fencer to develop as an independent athlete.
Most fencers begin by scheduling one 30-minute private lesson per week with their lesson Coach.
COACHES
12. How do I select a Coach for my fencer?
A fencer is paired with a Coach who is strong in the weapon the fencer has selected, who is available to give private lessons at convenient times for the fencer and who is a good personality match for the fencer.
Please feel free to discuss your child's needs with the Director and he will help facilitate a strong coach-athlete relationship.
Our Coaches
13. What does it mean to have a Coach? What is the proper etiquette for having a Coach?
Selecting a coach is a big step in a young fencer's athletic life and having a private coach is both a privilege and a responsibility. Coaches are committed to assisting fencers attain their athletic and competitive goals by developing an individualized program of training for each fencer. Private lessons are an integral part of most fencer's athletic program.
In turn fencers are expected to demonstrate respect for their coach by practicing good etiquette. This includes:
• Arriving for lessons on time and by being ready to fence at the scheduled lesson time. If the fencer is late the coach must be contacted directly by cell phone.
• Paying the coach for each private lesson in advance or at the time of the lesson. Coaches accept cash and checks at lesson time. Forgetting to pay for a lesson is very insulting. No further lessons will be given until the coach is paid in full.
• Only working with one private coach at a time. Coaches invest a great deal of time and effort in developing a program of training for the fencer. Conflicting methods of training can be detrimental to a young fencers athletic development.
ADULT FENCERS
14. I am interested in learning to fence. What opportunities are available to me at Bay State Fencers?
If you are a beginner enroll in Adult Learn to Fence. This is an eight-week class that introduces the novice fencer to the game, the etiquette and the history of the sport. All equipment and uniforms are provided for the duration of this program.
15. I already have some fencing experience. What opportunities are available for me at Bay State Fencers?
If you already have some fencing experience or if you are returning to the sport and you are interested in taking classes at Bay State Fencers enroll in one of our Adult Fencing Programs in Foil, Epee, or Sabre. These programs are ongoing and enrollment is rolling.
If you already have fencing experience and are interested in bouting and conditioning please join us for Open Fencing. Bay State Fencers offer Open Fencing six days per week during the fencing season and five days per week in the summer.
16. Can I benefit from private lessons?
Private lessons give the fencer the opportunity to work one-on-one with their Coach to develop skills, to work on technique and strategy and to develop a supportive coach-athlete relationship. Working privately with a coach will also allow you to develop as an athlete.
Most fencers begin by scheduling one 30-minute private lesson per week with their lesson Coach.
Fencers are paired with a Coach who is strong in the weapon the fencer has selected, who is available to give private lessons at convenient times for the fencer, and who is a good personality match for the fencer.
Please feel free to discuss your needs with the Director and he will help facilitate a strong coach-athlete relationship.
Our Coaches
18. What does it mean to have a Coach? What is the proper etiquette for having a Coach?
Selecting a Coach is a big step in a fencer's athletic life and having a private coach is both a privilege and a responsibility. Coaches are committed to assisting fencers attain their athletic and competitive goals by developing an individualized program of training for each fencer, private lessons are often an integral part of this program.
In turn fencers are expected to demonstrate respect for their coach by practicing good etiquette. This includes:
• Arriving for lessons on time and by being ready to fence at the scheduled lesson time. If the fencer is late the coach must be contacted directly by cell phone.
• Paying the coach for each private lesson in advance or at the time of the lesson. Coaches accept cash and checks at lesson time. Forgetting to pay for a lesson is very insulting. No further lessons will be given until the coach is paid in full.
• Only working with one private coach at a time. Coaches invest a great deal of time and effort in developing a program of training for the fencer. Conflicting methods of training can be detrimental to a young fencers athletic development.