I’d like to help all the parents who complain that their children can’t stand them cheering for them at tournaments. This problem is compounded by the fact that because fencing is such an obscure sport, parents often don’t know how to cheer at tournaments. I think this leads them to think that they should not cheer at all. As coaches I think we know that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most athletes benefit from a crowd’s support. Other sports recognize the advantage of having a home team in the stands. Just check the Vegas odds for a basketball team in the finals. The “line” changes significantly depending if the team is home or away. We have to realize that the same phenomenon occurs in fencing. An athlete should have increased success if there is strong support from the audience. So in this article I’ll offer some generic tips geared towards parents on how to cheer at tournaments. I’ll also offer some advice to coaches and parents on how to overcome an athlete’s aversion to their parents being an active part of the audience.
Even though most of my days are primarily filled with coaching, I still love competing. One of the advantages I have tried to give myself throughout the years is a solid cheering section. I find that it really helps to have people making NOISE for you! I never forget to pack a cheering section. This is largely why I named my company “Team Touche Fencing.” There is a lot of value in having a crowd of fans that goes nuts when you are fencing in a tournament.
The first thing I do before I even try to enter an event is to invite my girlfriend, Kitty. She always cheers the loudest for me and I can’t thank her enough for this. Once I’m at an event and I’ve got Kitty in my corner I’m good to make it through the pools. Now the tougher rounds are coming and I’m not taking any chances. I round up ANYBODY with a TTFC patch (and their parents and their babysitter, possibly their dog trainer…). I want people cheering loudly for me. Not just because it helps get the adrenaline pumping in my system, but also because I want the other fencer to feel marginalized. What can I say? I’m at the tournament to win and often that means using every available resource to succeed, even a cheering section.
Now that I have established the importance of cheering for an athlete I’m going to address when and how you cheer during a fencing tournament. The crowd typically roots for their fencer after a touch is scored. Parents, friends and family are welcome to shout “great job” or other generic encouragement. Please refrain from shouting technical or strategic advice during this time. That’s why you hire a coach! If your child is on their own without a coach, it may be by design. I sometimes intentionally leave a student on their own during a bout. Sometimes a student may need to learn hard lessons on their own. The number one rule here is don’t shout out when the fencing is occurring. The referee of any given bout can also yellow card you (that means a warning) for disturbing the bout. Beyond that, go nuts! If you are having fun watching, its likely your athlete will have more fun fencing.
So now you know how to behave at a tournament. But what of the folks whose children have a hard time with their parents watching them fence and cheering?. I’ve had conversations with parents who are chastised by their children, believe it or not, for rooting them on during tournaments. I’ve even had a mom say that her child gets so nervous when she watches, she is not “allowed” to watch him fence. In the child’s defense, fencing can be extremely stressful as it is an individual sport! So when they are confronted with additional issues that distract them (i.e. the eyes of a parent watching) they react badly; often they get angry with the parent and shoo them away. This does not need to be the case. If this sounds familiar to you, then respect your child’s wishes (for now) and stop watching during the events. Instead, start watching them during a less stressful situation. Watch them fence during practice. This should not be too hard on them. But if it is still too stressful, try watching some bouting on a strip where your child is not fencing. When your child is taking a break from sparring ask them some questions about what is going on during the other fencers’ bout. This way you can show interest in what is going on the floor without causing any stress in your child’s world of fencing.
After you can accomplish this, try asking them to show you what their favorite fencing action is when they are not fencing. This may be a move that they are most comfortable using. Then, when everyone is in a good mood, have your child try that move when they are fencing while you watch. This should not be stressful for them because they are going to focus on a tried and true move that is easy and fun with which they can try scoring on an opponent.
“Cool,” you might say, “Now I see how that action works!”
Good coaches know that you must draw a bridge from practice to a tournament setting regarding fencing actions. In other words, if you want to flick to an opponent’s back you must first try it out during regular practice times. When it becomes effective in practice, then its time to take it to the next tournament. The same logic could be applied to becoming accustomed to a parent cheering. First, break the ice on cheering at practice. Then, try cheering at a tournament.
Parents should have a right to enjoy their children’s performance at a tournament. When they cheer in a positive, respectful way (and they stay the heck out of the way of the coach and referee) the support will be transformed from a distraction to a boon.
Coach Tedd Padgitt
Owner, Team Touche Fencing
About the author
Coach Tedd - Tedd Padgitt is the proud owner and operator of the finest fencing studio in San Diego: the Team Touché Fencing Center in Sorrento Valley. A competitive fencer for over 15 years, Padgitt continues to place in the top 32 in the country. Many of his accomplishments include being the 2005 Pacific Coast Foil Champion and winning the Pacific Coast overall foil points title in the 2005 and in 2006. Coach Padgitt has also made three trips to NCAA nationals achieving top 20 in the collegiate nation. While training with the Hungarian Olympic team in Budapest, he learned the finer points of foil and sabre. Coach Padgitt prides himself in his ability to teach children; he understands that the best way to coach children is through positive reinforcement. He believes in the power of humor to overcome adversity.
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Great article. I like the way you covered the support that cheering provides to the competitor. It also disrupts the opponent, particularly if they don’t have a cheering section. It can feel lonely out there for them. That’s part of preparing for the tournament. Organize your crowd, and have them make noise.
It should be worth adding that parents have a difficult time with what to cheer when your child isn’t doing well. Believe it or not, stay positive. There are a few tried and true things to say: “Hang in there,” “Next touch is yours,” and “Pump it up!” But one of the best strategies is to ask your child what to say if they get behind in points. Common responses to this request are usually simple reminders: “Watch for the patterns,” “Happy feet” (keep moving), and “Make him/her work.” The critical idea here is to ask.
After many years of cheering Tedd on, one of my favorite things is to is to cheer with something that will mentally knock the opponent off their game. I like saying “You know what they’ll do,” “Great job, you now see their pattern,” and “he has to attack you now.” You child will have to know what your doing when you do this, but if they know that your actually helping them by mentally working over your opponent, then you are helping them without interfering with their game. Only do this if your child wants. This is their moment in the spotlight, not yours.
If your child loses a bout, don’t ask “what should I have done/cheered?” That question is about you, not them. Losing is part of the learning. Let your child know you still love them. By the way, everyone loses a bout except the person who came in first. Be prepared for it to happen. Understand your child’s goals. They may have met one of them, even if they lost their last bout.
BTW, I’m sooo excited when parents don’t over react when their child loses. We want to always remain calm and be a good example for a child who loses and gets knocked out of the tourney.
Everyone has to learn to lose gracefully and then get back up and work even harder. Some people never get a chance to practice this!