The Advanced Program is the highest level of training at Precision Athletics Fencing Club and is intended for athletes pursuing elite competitive goals. Prerequisites include:

– Current USA Fencing rating of D or higher

– Demonstrated competitive results at regional or national levels

– High level of personal discipline and training maturity

– Proven coachability and receptiveness to coaching feedback

– Financial and family commitment to extensive travel and training schedules

– Willingness to prioritize fencing as a primary athletic commitment

Admission to the Advanced Program is at the discretion of the coaching staff. Rating alone does not guarantee acceptance—coaches evaluate technical proficiency, competitive mindset, training habits, and readiness for elite-level demands.

Yes. A major focus of the Advanced Program is active pursuit of NCAA recruitment pathways. We prepare athletes not just for tournaments, but for the specific competitive benchmarks required to fence at top colleges and universities.

Support includes:

– Guidance on target schools and programs

– Competitive resume development (results, ratings, rankings)

– Tournament selection strategy for recruitment visibility

– Assistance with coach communications and recruitment videos

– Understanding of NCAA eligibility and recruitment rules

– Strategic planning for official visits and application timing

Many top colleges and universities actively recruit skilled fencers, and the sport provides distinct advantages in admissions at elite academic institutions.

The Advanced Program is a high-performance training environment demanding significant time commitment:

Weekly Training:

– 4-5 group training sessions (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, plus optional Monday/Wednesday open bouting)

– Minimum 2 private lessons per week

– Total: 10-15+ hours per week of fencing-specific training

Supplemental Training:

– Physical conditioning (strength, cardio, flexibility)

– Video analysis and tactical study

– Mental preparation and performance psychology

Competition:

– Weekend tournaments (often 3-4 day events)

– 10-15+ competitions per year, many requiring travel

Training Camps:

– Week-long intensive camps during school breaks

Athletes and families must be prepared for fencing to be a primary time commitment comparable to elite club sports in other disciplines.

Yes. Advanced athletes commit to competing at all national tournaments and scheduled international competitions. This requires extensive domestic and international travel throughout the competitive season (September through July).

Precision Athletics Fencing Club has developed athletes who compete successfully at national and international levels:

International Results:

– Kaylin Hsu: Silver Medal, Cadet International Championships (Nuremberg, Germany) – Team USA

– Kato Navarro: Junior World Championships – Team Mexico

– Ulises Soto: Senior World Championships – Team Mexico

Coaching Credentials:

Our program is led by Coach Forrest MacDougall, former Team USA international competitor and National Coach for Cadets & Juniors since 2017. Coach Forrest has led American foil squads to medal victories at Cadet/Junior Pan American Championships and multiple World Cup events.

This track record demonstrates that training at Precision Athletics prepares athletes for championship-level performance and international competition success.

Yes. All of our coaches are certified by USA Fencing and hold current CPR and First Aid certifications. Learn more about our coaching staff here. 

Yes. Precision Athletics Fencing Club is an official member club of USA Fencing, the national governing body for the sport in the United States. All advanced athletes must also maintain individual USA Fencing memberships to compete in sanctioned tournaments and earn ratings.

Yes. Open Bouting sessions are offered Monday (5:00 PM – 6:30 PM) and Wednesday (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM) where fencers of all levels participate in supervised competitive practice. Advanced athletes use these sessions to increase training volume, fence diverse opponents, and refine tactical approaches.

Yes. All classes are co-ed. Boys and girls, men and women train together at all levels. Fencing is unique among sports in that technique, timing, and tactical intelligence matter more than physical size or strength. Athletes of all genders compete against one another in both training and official tournaments, and co-ed training is essential preparation for competitive success.

The Advanced Program focuses on achieving elite competitive results and preparing athletes for the highest levels of the sport:

Primary Competitive Goals:

– Winning medals at Junior Olympics, Summer Nationals, and North American Cups

– Earning top USA Fencing ratings (A or B ratings)

– Achieving high national rankings (Top 25, Top 10, or #1 in age categories)

– Competing at international tournaments (World Cups, Pan American events, international cadet/junior competitions)

– Representing Team USA or other countries at World Championships

College Recruitment Goals:

– Active NCAA recruitment at top colleges and universities

– Competitive results that attract college coach interest

– Building athletic profiles for elite academic institutions

Personal Development:

– Deep self-confidence through elite achievement

– Mental toughness and competitive psychology

– Physical fitness and athletic excellence

– Discipline, accountability, and personal responsibility

Advanced athletes pursue measurable, tangible outcomes: ratings, rankings, medals, and recruitment opportunities at the highest levels.