News & Updates
Read Saber Nation fencing news, beginner guides, training tips, competition notes, and club updates from Bethesda, Maryland.
The Saber Nation blog covers saber fencing for beginners, parents, and competitors: how the sport works, how scoring and right of way are judged, what equipment is needed, and how USA Fencing ratings, points, tournaments, and memberships fit together.
Beginner guides explain how to start fencing, what happens in a first class, saber fencing for kids, and the target area and rules that make saber different from foil and epee.
Competition guides cover USA Fencing tournament types, age categories, ratings, national points, penalty cards, strip dimensions, and bout timing, plus NCAA recruiting for saber athletes.
All articles are written by the coaching staff at Saber Nation Fencing Club, 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL2, Bethesda, MD 20816.
Latest articles
What Is a Beat Attack in Saber Fencing?
Published
A beat attack is a sharp tap on the opponent's blade that starts your attack.
What Is a Counterattack in Saber Fencing?
Published
A counterattack is an offensive action made during the opponent's attack.
USA Fencing and MOCA Team Up: Try Fencing After Your Museum Visit
Published
USA Fencing and the Museum of Chinese in America will stage fencing programming at MOCA in Manhattan and invite every visitor to try fencing at a club near them through TryFencing.org.
How to Qualify for the 2027 Junior Olympics: Cadet and Junior Paths
Published
The 2027 Junior Olympics run Jan.
What Is a Remise in Saber Fencing? Renewing the Attack After a Miss
Published
A remise is a simple, immediate second offensive action without withdrawing the arm.
Parry and Riposte in Saber Fencing: How Defense Turns Into the Touch
Published
A saber parry stops the attack.
USA Fencing Names TOGETHXR Official Media Partner for the Road to LA28
Published
USA Fencing named TOGETHXR its Official Media Partner in a two-year deal through 2028.
USA Fencing NAC Eligibility: Points Minimums and Rating Floors Explained
Published
USA Fencing requires minimum points to register for CDT, Junior, and Division I NACs.
How Saber Fencing Direct Elimination Works: Brackets, 15 Touches, and the 8-Touch Break
Published
After pools, saber fencing direct elimination is single-elim to 15 touches.
How USA Fencing’s Elite and Challenger Split Works Before the October NAC
Published
USA Fencing’s first Elite vs Challenger event split is Sept.
USA Fencing Eliminates the P-Yellow Card Starting Oct. 1, 2026
Published
USA Fencing removes the P-yellow card for non-combativity starting Oct.
Board Announces Bylaw Committee, Opens Three Legacy Process Amendments for Member Feedback
Published
USA Fencing opened a 45-day comment period through Nov.
USA Fencing Opens Two New Paths Into the Elite Field
Published
For October and November NACs, Top 112 Legacy points holders outside the UPL Top 112 can opt into Elite.
How Saber Fencing Pools Work: Wins, Indicator, and DE Seeding
Published
After the first bout of the day, your rating seed is gone.
How to Enter Your First Saber Fencing Tournament on AskFRED
Published
Local saber events run through AskFRED.
USA Fencing 2026–27 Listening Tour: Meet CEO Phil Andrews
Published
USA Fencing's 2026–27 Listening Tour brings CEO Phil Andrews to NACs and four city visits.
USA Fencing Membership for Saber: Access, Competitive, and 2026–27 Fees
Published
Access vs Competitive membership for saber, what each tier unlocks, and the 2026–27 fees USA Fencing published for this season.
How USA Fencing Points Work for Saber: Trial Rankings, Best Six, and Elite vs Challenger
Published
Starting Aug.
How Long Is a Saber Fencing Strip? Piste Size, Warnings, and Off-Strip Rules
Published
A regulation saber fencing strip (piste) is 14 metres long and 1.50 metres wide.
How Electric Scoring Works in Saber Fencing: Lights, Lamé, and Timing
Published
Red and green lights prove a saber touch landed.
USA Fencing Age Categories for Saber: Y8 Through Junior
Published
Birth year decides which saber events your fencer can enter.
USA Fencing Partners with Chief Executive Group to Bring Fencing into Boardrooms
Published
USA Fencing and Chief Executive Group formed a partnership to introduce fencing to corporate executives at four conferences.
USA Fencing Tournament Types for Saber: Local, RYC, ROC, and NAC
Published
Local club meets, RYCs, ROCs, and NACs are different ladders.
Yellow, Red, and Black Cards in Saber Fencing: What Each Penalty Means
Published
Fencing penalty cards explained for saber: yellow warning, red penalty touch, black exclusion, plus P-cards for non-combativity — with USA Fencing and FIE cites.