Every issue of One Touché Wednesday, newest first. The three newest are open to everyone; the rest are free with an account.
Issue 58
Hm, Halloween somehow has become the starting gun for the holiday season. Between Halloween and New Year's, we've got two months of travel, family obligations, shorter days, and longer dinners ahead. It's also a pretty easy time to accidentally stop training.
Issue 57
Watching the fencing world descend on Orlando last week got me thinking about how we approach fencing on the road.
Issue 56
The event is over. Now what?
Issue 55
The Orlando NAC starts this week. If you're competing, this one's for you.
Issue 54
Is the hay in the barn, or are you cramming for the exam?
Issue 53
Hey, it's rule change o'clock.
Issue 52
Feel like you've hit a plateau? Have you checked your steps?
Issue 51
Don't let registration confusion be the thing that keeps you off the strip. A lapsed membership, missed deadline, or full event can turn a tournament you planned to fence into one you get to hear about.
Issue 50
It's an open secret: fencers don't warm up enough. We know we should. We know it makes a difference. And somehow, "I'll warm up in the first pool bout" remains a perfectly reasonable plan.
Issue 49
Last weekend I got hit by something I hadn't seen in a while.
Issue 48
Want to get more out of your next tournament? Write down what you're trying to accomplish.
Issue 47
Last year's first tournament back, I forgot to pack my knickers.
Issue 46
Welcome to the 2026–27 fencing season!
Issue 45
The tournament schedule gets quieter this time of year.
Issue 44
One of my favorite things at a North American Cup isn't always the fencing.
Issue 43
Summer is a great time to become a little more self-sufficient.
Issue 42
Taking a few weeks off this summer?
Issue 41
Summer can feel like fencing disappeared.
Issue 40
If you're not going to Nationals this year, you might still be able to shop there.
Issue 39
Summer Nationals is right around the corner.
Issue 38
Nobody talks about seating at a tournament.
Issue 37
Interesting fencing opportunities have a way of showing up at the wrong time.
Issue 36
Wanna save 10 bucks?
Issue 35
A home tournament can feel like a free pass.
Issue 34
Got a team event coming up?
Issue 33
This tip's for the team events in your future.
Issue 32
Age doesn't work the same way here.
Issue 31
You put in the work. Weeks of prep. Systems dialed in. And then right before the event something goes sideways.
Issue 30
Travel tip: keep your fencing bag from turning on you after a long day.
Issue 29
Your mask touches your face for hours.
Issue 28
If you've ever tried to pack a soft fencing bag for a flight, you know how quickly space disappears.
Issue 27
Did you know you can save the USA Fencing website to your phone like an app?
Issue 26
Small issues have a way of showing up at tournaments.
Issue 25
Hotel rooms and fencing gear don't naturally stay organized.
Issue 24
One of the most useful pieces of fencing equipment I own isn't fencing equipment at all.
Issue 23
Some fencing "gotchas" happen off the strip.
Issue 22
Fencing bags take a beating when you travel.
Issue 21
If you're traveling to a big NAC or ROC—like Cincinnati this week—you already know there are plenty of moving parts. Travel delays, long days, unfamiliar venues. The last thing you want to improvise is your nutrition.
Issue 20
Running late or short on time? Food delivery can be a quiet tournament win.
Issue 19
If you saw the accidental USA Fencing Leadership Academy meeting invite hit your inbox this week, you got an unintended glimpse into a side of the sport many fencers never see: the ongoing trainings, seminars, and conversations that happen off the strip.
Issue 18
Your jacket has your name across the back, but the rest of your gear looks exactly like everyone else's. Before you leave for your next tournament, take a permanent marker and write your last name in a discreet spot on any new items like gloves, masks, and warmups. Pick…
Issue 17
New year, new tournaments. One simple way to reduce stress before the season even starts is to think about travel a little earlier.
Issue 16
What's the most overlooked part of goal-setting in fencing? It's not how ambitious your goals are or whether you hit them. It's what keeps you engaged when goals fall short, change, or even get checked off.
Issue 15
Going into a new year is a great time to revisit the fundamentals that make tournament days run smoothly. One of the simplest and most effective is having a solid packing list.
Issue 14
As the year winds down, it is easy for fencing to slip into the background. Between holidays, travel, injuries, or graduation on the horizon, routines change and momentum can fade.
Issue 13
Did you know? The parry numbering system we all memorize didn't actually start in a fencing hall. At least, that's how it was explained to me — and while the real history is definitely messier, the idea is still pretty cool.
Issue 12
Now that it's December and the holiday season is here, it might be a good time to schedule some purposeful downtime. Training consistency can be tough this time of year, so being intentional helps you enjoy the season without feeling like you're losing steam.
Issue 11
Thanksgiving week is as good a time as any to check in on your go-to tournament eats! While holidays can be all about trying new dishes, tournament day definitely isn't.
Issue 10
Save yourself stress on tournament day: take a screenshot of your USA Fencing membership card and keep it in your phone. Having a quick-access copy means you can verify your membership number instantly at check-in—no digging through emails or resetting passwords while the line…
Issue 9
Want a quick way to gauge your competitive progress? Pull up your tournament history on AskFred and list your best results.
Issue 8
Trying to navigate the maze of youth fencing tournaments as a parent or new fencer? Start by understanding that not all events are the same — there are real differences in size, format, scoring expectations, and overall atmosphere. Knowing these upfront helps you choose the…
Issue 7
The sport grows stronger every time we show up for each other. When a big tournament lands in your region, go — even if you're not competing.
Issue 6
You can learn a lot from YouTube, but nothing compares to watching great fencing unfold a few feet away. Seeing high-level bouts in person lets you pick up the intangibles (the rhythm shifts, the focus, the energy in the room) that videos never capture.
Issue 5
Hate the guessing game of buying gear online? When a big tournament comes to town, go—even if you're not fencing. At big events, vendors bring everything to you. Try gear in person, get repairs done right, and talk with people who really know fencing. Don't be shy about asking…
Issue 4
Competition's over, time to crash, right? Not so fast. How you pack up your gear can make or break its lifespan. First: cool down, refuel, rehydrate. Then pack strategically. Never stuff sweaty jackets with body cords—that's a fast track to corrosion and odors. Separate wet gear…
Issue 3
Want to save stress on competition day? Scout your venue before you even get there. Use Google Street View to check parking and entrances, and look for possible outdoor warm-up spots. At larger convention centers, floorplans can be a game-changer—helping you find strips quickly…
Issue 2
After a tournament, most fencers either celebrate or shake off a loss—but the real growth comes from structured reflection. One method some athletes swear by is SWOT: analyzing your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Issue 1
Before your first competition of the season, take time to check your equipment—look for corrosion, missing or loose fittings, dried-out strap elastic, and ensure your blade, mask, grips, and clothing are all in good shape. Don’t wait until the night before to find out something…