1. SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK (RETURNING FENCERS ONLY)
If you have electric equipment, start bringing it this week. If you have any new equipment, make sure it is labeled with your name. Your chances of getting it back if you leave it behind are much greater that way, and it's less likely to get mixed up with someone else's. Please start using your punch cards this week, and pay your club dues if you did not already do so last week. Reminder of club dues:
Level 1 repeat: $15
Level 2/3: $25
Competitive Squad: $50
Due now (September) and again in January and April.
You may purchase a new punch card at any time, $65 for 5 punches (only punch once if you come more than once in the same week), honor system (I can not possibly keep track of all of you!).

Tuesday 9/19 Charlotte, 7-9 p.m Competitive Squad kick-off practice
Open to all teens and adults who are interested in pushing themselves further, practicing twice a week and competing in local tournaments. Maturity, focus and positive attitude are more important than your current skill level. Not sure if this is for you? It's okay to come this week to check it out and then decide. Middlebury fencers are very welcome also.

Wednesday 9/20, Middlebury, 7-8:15 p.m Level 2/3 class, followed by open fencing until 9 (Note: next week we will settle into our normal schedule with open fencing before the 7:45-9 p.m class)
Thursday 9/21, Charlotte, 7-8:15 p.m Level 2/3 class, followed by open fencing until 9

About Level 2/3 classes this fall: The Hungarian method of teaching tactics revolves around the "Three Moments to Go", which are a. when your opponent is stepping toward you, b. when your opponent is reversing direction from forward to backward, c. when your retreating opponent hesitates or falters. We are going to work with the Three Moments this fall: exploiting them when they happen, making them happen, and applying different bladework with all 3. In Charlotte, our youngest fencers (Level 2) will get extra supervision and coaching from Colton, sometimes doing the same things as the older (Level 3) group and sometimes simplifying/modifying the lesson plan to be more age-appropriate. In Middlebury, with a smaller group overall, everyone will work together although I may sometimes ask you to pair off by size or skill level for certain drills.

Repeating Level 1 this fall? You are still welcome to come to Level 2/3 class this week if you have your own equipment. We won't be doing any moves you don't already know, but instead focussing on footwork and timing. Hoping to rent equipment for a repeat of L1? I'm pretty sure it will be possible unless I get a huge rush of late registrations. Let me know if you have not already done so, and I will pack rental equipment for you for the first L1 classes on Sept 26 and 27.

Missed last week but want to come this week? No problem. Just make sure you have renewed your USA Fencing membership before showing up. For nearly all VFA fencers, Access level membership is sufficient.

2. LEVEL 1 CLASSES AND FULL SCHEDULE START NEXT WEEK
I'm still registering students for Level 1 classes - 7 new folks signed up so far in Middlebury, 3 in Charlotte (guess the Middlebury crowd is better at planning in advance, I won't be surprised if there is a last minute flurry of registrations in Charlotte when I send a reminder to my email list). Keep telling your friends - I'm nearing capacity for young kids, but have plenty of space for more teens and adults. Were you planning to sign up a family member of a present fencer? Remember, you must provide me with their equipment info (height, weight and dominant hand) in advance, not just tell me that they are interested.

Our full schedule, beginning September 26:
Tuesdays, Charlotte
7-8:15 p.m Level 1 foil class
7-9 p.m Competitive Squad practice, with me joining when I finish with L1

Wednesdays, Middlebury
6-7:15 pm Level 1 foil class
7 pm (earlier if you want to fence more, especially for electric fencing): Level 2/3 students arrive, peer-led warm up
7:15-7:45 pm Open fencing/bouting time (for everyone)
7:45-9 p.m. Level 2/3 foil and epee class

Thursdays, Charlotte
7-8:15 p.m Level 2/3 foil and epee class
8:15-9 p.m Open fencing