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The Intermediate Fencing Program at Precision Athletics Fencing Club bridges the gap between foundational training and elite competitive performance. Divided into two levels—Intermediate Gray and Intermediate Green—our program develops athletes from local competitors to nationally ranked fencers pursuing regional championships, national tournaments, and NCAA recruitment opportunities. We welcome dedicated athletes ready to commit to structured competitive training, private lessons, and tournament participation. Our intermediate program emphasizes tactical development, competitive strategy, physical conditioning, and mental preparation in focused training sessions led by coaches who have competed for Team USA and coached at World Championships. From your first local tournament to national-level competition, you’ll receive expert instruction that prepares you for measurable competitive success.
The Intermediate Program is divided into two tiers based on competitive commitment, training intensity, and tournament participation. Both levels require ownership of personal equipment, regular private lessons, and active competitive participation, but differ in the frequency and scope of training and competition.
Intermediate Gray marks the transition from beginner training to competitive development. Athletes at this level are beginning their competitive journey, learning to apply technical skills in tournament settings, and developing the mental discipline required for competitive success.
Focus & Expectations:
Intermediate Gray fencers compete primarily at local and regional tournaments, gaining competitive experience and working toward their first USA Fencing ratings. Training emphasizes tactical development, bout strategy, competitive mindset, and consistent execution under pressure.
Requirements:
– Ownership of complete personal equipment (mask, jacket, foil, electric gear)
– Commitment to at least one private lesson per week
– Participation in local and regional tournaments
– Consistent class attendance and positive training habits
– Demonstrated technical fundamentals and understanding of competitive rules
Intermediate Gray is the foundation of competitive development. Athletes learn what it means to train seriously, compete with purpose, and commit to structured progression toward higher levels of performance.
Intermediate Green represents an advanced intermediate level for athletes demonstrating increased competitive commitment and willingness to pursue regional and national tournament participation. This level bridges the gap between local competition and elite-level training, preparing athletes for advancement to the Advanced Program.
Focus & Expectations:
Intermediate Green fencers travel to regional and national tournaments to gain ranking points, competitive experience, and exposure to higher-level competition. Training intensity increases significantly, with greater emphasis on physical conditioning, tactical sophistication, and mental preparation for high-stakes bouts.
Requirements:
– Commitment to at least two private lessons per week
– Willingness to travel to regional and national tournaments
– Regular participation in club-organized training camps and clinics
– Strong focus, coachability, and professionalism in training
– Active pursuit of USA Fencing ratings and national rankings
Intermediate Green athletes are serious competitors pursuing measurable results. This level demands significant time commitment, financial investment in travel and competition, and a mindset focused on continuous improvement and competitive excellence.
Private lessons are a required component of intermediate training and provide individualized instruction that accelerates development, corrects technical flaws, and prepares athletes for specific competitive challenges. One-on-one coaching allows for personalized feedback, real-time correction, and focused work on individual strengths and weaknesses.
Private Lesson Requirements:
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– Intermediate Gray: Minimum one private lesson per week
– Intermediate Green: Minimum two private lessons per week
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Private lessons focus on technical refinement, tactical pattern development, bout preparation for upcoming tournaments, video analysis of competition footage, and addressing specific competitive challenges each athlete faces.
Lessons are scheduled by appointment with Coach Forrest MacDougall, Coach Konami Masui, or Coach Roman Meleshko based on coach availability and student schedules. Consistent private lesson attendance is essential for progression and is monitored as part of advancement decisions.
Intermediate classes are structured to provide coach-led technical and tactical instruction followed by supervised bouting periods where athletes apply skills in competitive settings. Classes are separated by level (Gray vs. Green) to ensure training intensity and content match each group’s developmental stage and competitive goals.
All intermediate classes are co-ed, with boys and girls, men and women training together. Fencing rewards technique, timing, and tactical intelligence over physical size or strength, making mixed training an essential part of competitive preparation.
Intermediate Gray
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Open Bouting (All Levels Welcome)
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Monday provides Intermediate Gray training with concurrent open bouting available for all students seeking additional practice time.
Intermediate Gray
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Coach-led instruction followed by 30 minutes of supervised bouting
Intermediate Green
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Coach-led instruction followed by 30 minutes of supervised bouting
Tuesday separates Gray and Green levels, allowing each group to train at appropriate intensity with peers at similar competitive stages.
Intermediate Green
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Open Bouting (All Levels Welcome)
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday focuses on Intermediate Green training with open bouting available concurrently for additional practice opportunities.
Intermediate Gray
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Coach-led instruction followed by 30 minutes of supervised bouting
Intermediate Green
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Coach-led instruction followed by 30 minutes of supervised bouting
Thursday mirrors Tuesday's structure, providing twice-weekly dedicated training for each intermediate level.
Beginner / Intermediate Gray
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Coach-led instruction followed by 30 minutes of supervised bouting
Intermediate Green
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday includes a mixed beginner/Intermediate Gray session, allowing newer competitive students to train with advanced beginners. Intermediate Green receives extended training time for intensive competitive preparation.
Beginner / Intermediate Gray
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Intermediate Green / Advanced
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Followed by 30 minutes of supervised bouting
Saturday provides extended training sessions with mixed-level opportunities. Intermediate Green students train alongside Advanced athletes, exposing them to higher-level competition and accelerating development.
Train as often as you want — best value
Unlimited group classes per week
Monthly
Perfect for beginners or busy schedules
1 group class per week
Monthly
Monthly
Yes. While beginners are provided with club equipment, students must purchase their own full set of gear (mask, jacket, foil, electric equipment, knickers, socks, and glove) to graduate into the Intermediate Gray program.
Equipment ownership is required because competitive athletes need properly fitted, personal gear that they maintain and are responsible for. We provide guidance on equipment selection and recommend reputable vendors. A complete intermediate-level setup typically costs $300-$600.
Yes. Private lessons are a specific requirement for advancement and progression through the intermediate program.
– Intermediate Gray: Minimum one private lesson per week
– Intermediate Green: Minimum two private lessons per week
Private lessons provide individualized instruction that group classes cannot replicate. They allow coaches to work on specific technical flaws, develop personalized tactical systems, prepare for upcoming tournaments, and address individual competitive challenges.
Consistent private lesson attendance is monitored and is a factor in advancement decisions. Athletes who do not maintain required private lesson frequency may not progress or may be moved to a lower training group.
Intermediate Gray students are expected to begin competing at local and regional events sanctioned by USA Fencing. These tournaments provide experience with official competitive rules, electric scoring, bout management, and the mental demands of tournament fencing. The goal at this stage is gaining experience and earning initial USA Fencing ratings (E or D).
Intermediate Green students focus on a wider scope, traveling to regional and national tournaments (North American Cups, Regional Championships, Junior Olympics, Summer Nationals) to gain ranking points, competitive exposure, and experience at higher levels of competition. The goal is earning strong ratings (D, C, or higher) and building a competitive resume for NCAA recruitment.
Both levels require USA Fencing membership ($85/year) and involve tournament entry fees ($40-$80 per event) plus travel expenses for out-of-area competitions.
Advancement to the Advanced Program requires demonstrating strong focus, coachability, and professionalism in training, combined with measurable competitive results.
Specific requirements generally include:
– Earning a USA Fencing rating of ‘D’ or higher
– Demonstrable commitment to rigorous training schedules
– Willingness to compete at national and international levels
– Consistent performance in regional and national tournaments
– Strong technical fundamentals and tactical sophistication
– Maturity and self-discipline required for elite training
The Advanced Program is designed for athletes pursuing national championships, international competition, and NCAA recruitment. It demands significant time commitment, financial investment, and mental dedication to high-performance training and competition.
Advancement decisions are made by the coaching staff based on holistic evaluation of competitive results, training habits, coachability, and readiness for elite-level demands.
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.Â
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 competitive athletes must also maintain individual USA Fencing memberships to participate in sanctioned tournaments, earn ratings, and compete for national rankings.
Intermediate training involves several cost categories:
Upfront Costs:
– Monthly membership/tuition fees (contact us for current rates)
– Complete personal equipment purchase ($300-$600 for intermediate-level gear)
Ongoing Costs:
– Private lessons: 1-2 per week depending on level (fees vary by coach)
– USA Fencing membership: $85/year (required for competition)
– Tournament entry fees: $40-$80 per event
– Travel expenses: Hotels, flights, meals for regional/national tournaments
– Training camps and clinics: Occasional additional fees
Intermediate Green and Advanced students should budget for significant travel expenses, as regional and national tournaments require overnight stays and often cross-country flights.
Fencing at the competitive intermediate and advanced levels is comparable in cost to other individual sports with national competition circuits (gymnastics, figure skating, tennis). The investment increases as athletes pursue higher levels of competition and NCAA recruitment pathways.
Yes. We offer Open Bouting sessions on Monday (5:00 PM – 6:30 PM) and Wednesday (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM) where fencers of all levels are welcome to participate in supervised practice bouting. These sessions provide valuable opportunities to fence different opponents and build competitive experience.
Yes. All classes are co-ed, with boys and girls, men and women training together. Fencing is a sport where technique, timing, and strategy matter more than physical size or strength, making it uniquely suited to co-ed training and competition. Athletes of all genders train together and compete against one another in tournaments.
The Intermediate program focuses on achieving measurable competitive results and preparing athletes for higher levels of performance:
Primary Goals:
– Earning USA Fencing ratings (E, D, C, or higher)
– Achieving national rankings in age-appropriate categories
– Winning medals at regional and national tournaments
– Building competitive experience and mental toughness
– Developing NCAA recruitment pathways for college fencing
Secondary Goals:
– Building deep self-confidence through competitive success
– Physical fitness and athletic development
– Tactical intelligence and strategic thinking
– Sportsmanship and competitive professionalism
Intermediate training is results-oriented. Athletes in this program are pursuing tangible outcomes: ratings, rankings, medals, and recruitment opportunities.
The Intermediate Fencing Program at Precision Athletics provides the structure, coaching, and competitive pathways to transform dedicated athletes into regional and national competitors. Whether you’re transitioning from beginner training or looking to elevate your competitive results, our intermediate program offers expert instruction from coaches with Team USA and World Championship experience.
Train with Coach Forrest MacDougall
Former Team USA Competitor & National Coach
Coach Forrest competed internationally for Team USA and served as National Coach for Cadets & Juniors at World Championship events. His expertise and proven training methods have developed students who compete at the highest levels—from local tournaments to international podiums. Under his guidance, Precision Athletics students have earned medals at international competitions and pursued NCAA recruitment pathways. Whether you’re taking your first lesson or training for elite competition, you’ll benefit from world-class instruction.

Train with Coach Forrest MacDougall
Former Team USA Competitor & National Coach
Coach Forrest competed internationally for Team USA and served as National Coach for Cadets & Juniors at World Championship events. His expertise and proven training methods have developed students who compete at the highest levels—from local tournaments to international podiums. Under his guidance, Precision Athletics students have earned medals at international competitions and pursued NCAA recruitment pathways. Whether you’re taking your first lesson or training for elite competition, you’ll benefit from world-class instruction.