Choose Your Own Adventure: the Fencing Edition

This is an idea I got from the fabulous Kamali Thompson at the Veteran Clinic she helped run at Edge Fencing in the Boston area August 9-11, 2019. She has an insightful blog called A Saber and a Stethoscope that talks about her journey through training to qualify for the Olympics AND attending medical school. You can find it here.

We did a lot of great footwork and bladework drills at the clinic but one of the things I enjoyed the most was what I have dubbed “Choose Your Own Adventure” fencing stories. I used to LOVE those books as a kid and enjoyed being able to control my destiny as I navigated through the book. This works in much the same way–it gives control to the fencers–but it also teaches them about the pros and the consequences of their decisions and provides instant feedback.