Welcome to the Vault.

Your members-only content library. Videos, downloadable coaching guides, and resources added regularly. Browse by category below.

📋 Monthly Q&A

🤺 For Fencers

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

🎬 Bout Analysis

🧠 Mental Prep

⚔️ Tactical Playbook

🏋️ Conditioning

📚 All Resources

Monthly Q&A Recordings

Every month Derek picks the best questions submitted by members and answers them on video. Not all questions will be featured — if you'd like a quicker response from Derek or the community, post in the 💬 Community Forum → Questions for Derek category.

📋

First Q&A Recording Coming Soon

Derek's first monthly Q&A recording will be posted here at the end of the month. Submit your question below — it might be featured!

Submit a Question for Next Month's Q&A

Derek picks the best questions each month and answers them in a recorded video. Your question might be featured in next month's recording.

Your question for Derek:

✅ Question submitted! Derek will review it for the next monthly Q&A. Thanks for contributing to the community.

— or send it directly —

📧 Email Your Question to Derek

💡 Tips for great questions:

Be specific — "How do I improve my parry 4 against fast attacks?" is better than "How do I get better at defense?"
Include context — your weapon, age/level, and what you've already tried helps Derek give a more useful answer.
Any topic is fair game — technique, tactics, mental game, tournament prep, equipment, training planning, or anything else.

Want a quicker answer? Post in the Community Forum → Questions for Derek category — Derek and other members can respond there directly.

For Fencers

Guides, references, and resources for fencers at every level — from your first tournament to your hundredth.

📄 Downloadable Guides

The Complete Tournament Day Checklist

Step-by-step game plan from the night before through the final touch.

PDF · 11 pages

The Fencer's Journal Template

Structured templates for tracking practices, tournaments, lessons, and monthly progress.

The Fencing Glossary

A complete A–Z reference for understanding the language, rhythm, and strategy of fencing.

PDF · 13 pages

French Fencing Terminology Guide

90+ French terms used by coaches and referees — pronounced, defined, and explained.

PDF · 11 pages

The Fencer's Goal-Setting Guide

Outcome, tactical, and process goals — how to set them for a season, a tournament, and a practice.

How to Fix Your Weapons

Basic weapon maintenance every fencer should know — adjusting tips, replacing springs, tightening screws, and troubleshooting dead weapons.

PDF · 12 pages

How to Watch Competitive Fencing

What to look for at tournaments and on video so you can learn from every bout you watch.

Rating Points & Seeding Guide

How the USA Fencing ranking system works, which events earn points, and how to plan a competitive season.

The Referee Handbook for Fencers

How right-of-way is called, how to make your actions clearer, video replay rules, and handling disagreements.

Understanding the Three Weapons

The rules, strategies, and personalities of foil, épée, and saber — and how to choose.

The Video Analysis Guide

The three-pass method for reviewing bout footage, taking effective notes, and building scouting files.

PDF · 10 pages

🎥 Videos

🎥

Fencer Videos Coming Soon

Footwork fundamentals, bout analysis, distance control drills, and more. Check out the downloadable guides above in the meantime.

For Fencing Parents

Content specifically for parents — what to expect at tournaments, how to support your fencer, college scholarship guidance, real costs of competing, and more.

📄 Downloadable Guides

Choosing a Fencing Club

What to look for, what to ask, red flags, and how to find the right training environment.

College Fencing Recruiting Guide

The complete roadmap to fencing in college — NCAA divisions, recruiting timelines, and scholarship realities.

The Fencing Glossary

A complete A–Z reference for understanding the language, rhythm, and strategy of fencing.

PDF · 13 pages

How to Watch Competitive Fencing

What to look for at tournaments and on video — for parents and fencers.

Rating Points & Seeding Guide

How the USA Fencing ranking system works, which events earn points, and how to plan a season.

👨‍👩‍👧

The Tournament Parent Survival Guide

Registration, equipment, filming, etiquette, what to say, and how to be the calm in the storm.

PDF · 15 pages

🎥 Videos

🎥

Parent Videos Coming Soon

Videos covering tournament expectations, post-bout conversations, college paths, and what you should know as a fencing parent. Check out the downloadable guides above in the meantime.

Bout Analysis & Breakdowns

Derek breaks down high-level bouts, teaches you how to watch fencing analytically, and identifies tactical patterns you can apply to your own game.

🎬

Bout Breakdowns Coming Soon

Video analysis of elite bouts with Derek's commentary — learn to see what champions see.

Mental Preparation

The mental tools, routines, and preparation systems that keep you composed under pressure and focused on the next touch.

📄 Downloadable Guides

The Fencer's Goal-Setting Guide

Outcome, tactical, and process goals — how to set them for a season, tournament, and practice.

The Mental Reset Toolkit

In-the-moment techniques for composure between touches, after bad calls, and during pressure situations.

The Mental Game for Fencers

Pre-tournament routines, visualization, focus techniques, and the mindset habits of competitive fencers.

The Warm-Up & Cool-Down Protocol

Pre-practice, pre-competition, and recovery routines designed specifically for fencing.

PDF · 11 pages

🎥 Videos

🎥

Mental Prep Videos Coming Soon

Pre-tournament routines, visualization walkthroughs, and reset demonstrations. Check out the guides above in the meantime.

Tactical Playbook

Footwork, bladework, tactics, and strategic concepts across all three weapons.

📄 Footwork Manuals

The Beginner Footwork Manual

The foundational movements every fencer needs — en garde, advance, retreat, lunge, and recovery.

The Intermediate Footwork Manual

Advance-lunge combinations, direction changes, and the footwork that bridges basics to competition.

PDF · 11 pages

The Advanced Footwork Manual

Explosive footwork, compound movements, and the speed game that defines competitive fencing.

PDF · 10 pages

📄 Bladework & Tactics

National Fencing Styles

How 16 countries approach each weapon differently — philosophies, training methods, and what to expect.

The Complete Guide to Parries

Every parry across all three weapons — hand positions, when to use each, and riposte options.

PDF · 14 pages

The Tactical Playbook

Strategic concepts, bout management, reading opponents, and the tactical wheel.

PDF · 13 pages

📄 Foil-Specific

Foil-Specific Footwork

The marching attack, flèche, priority footwork, and the movements unique to foil fencing.

Foil-Specific Bladework

Attacks, parries, ripostes, disengages, beats, binds, and the finger work that defines foil.

Foil-Specific Tactics

Right-of-way management, second intention, the tactical wheel, and bout management for foilists.

📄 Épée-Specific

Épée-Specific Footwork

Distance management, the counterattack retreat, lateral steps, and the patience game.

Épée-Specific Bladework

Hand attacks, angulation, flicks, counterattacks, opposition parries, and the remise.

Épée-Specific Tactics

Double-touch management, clock tactics, the priority minute, and risk management.

📄 Saber-Specific

Saber-Specific Footwork

The march, check-step, explosive advance-lunge, and the speed game that defines saber.

Saber-Specific Bladework

Cuts, point attacks, parries 2–5, and the explosive hand speed of competitive saber.

Saber-Specific Tactics

The six core tactics, march management, and the decision-making that wins saber bouts.

🎥 Videos

🎥

Tactical Videos Coming Soon

Bout breakdowns, footwork demonstrations, and tactical concepts on video. Check out the guides above in the meantime.

Conditioning & Physical Training

Strength, flexibility, injury prevention, and the physical preparation that keeps you fencing at your best.

📄 Downloadable Guides

The Between-Seasons Training Plan

Off-season programming, periodization, peaking for key tournaments, and season-long planning.

Common Fencing Injuries & Prevention

The injuries fencers get most often, why they happen, how to prevent them, and when to stop.

The Flexibility & Mobility Guide

18 stretches for fencers, flexibility benchmarks, and a complete standalone stretching program.

Sport-Specific Conditioning

Fencing-specific drills, agility work, and conditioning that translates directly to the strip.

PDF · 12 pages

The Fencer's Conditioning Foundation

Bodyweight conditioning you can do anywhere — the baseline fitness every fencer needs.

PDF · 15 pages

The Warm-Up & Cool-Down Protocol

Pre-practice, pre-competition, and recovery routines designed specifically for fencing.

PDF · 11 pages

🎥 Videos

🎥

Conditioning Videos Coming Soon

Drills, exercises, and routines on video. Check out the guides above in the meantime.

All Resources

Every downloadable guide in one place, alphabetized. These same PDFs also appear in their relevant category tabs.

The Between-Seasons Training Plan

Off-season programming, periodization, and peaking for key tournaments.

Choosing a Fencing Club

What to look for, what to ask, red flags, and how to find the right fit.

College Fencing Recruiting Guide

NCAA divisions, recruiting timelines, and scholarship realities.

The Complete Tournament Day Checklist

Step-by-step game plan from the night before through the final touch.

PDF · 11 pages

Épée-Specific Bladework

Hand attacks, angulation, flicks, counterattacks, and opposition parries.

Épée-Specific Footwork

Distance management, counterattack retreat, lateral steps, and the patience game.

Épée-Specific Tactics

Double-touch management, clock tactics, the priority minute, and risk management.

The Fencer's Journal Template

Templates for tracking practices, tournaments, lessons, and monthly progress.

The Fencing Glossary

A complete A–Z reference for the language, rhythm, and strategy of fencing.

PDF · 13 pages

Common Fencing Injuries & Prevention

The injuries fencers get most often, why they happen, and how to prevent them.

The Flexibility & Mobility Guide

18 stretches for fencers, flexibility benchmarks, and a complete stretching program.

Foil-Specific Bladework

Attacks, parries, ripostes, disengages, beats, binds, and finger work.

Foil-Specific Footwork

The marching attack, flèche, priority footwork, and foil-specific movements.

Foil-Specific Tactics

Right-of-way management, second intention, the tactical wheel, and bout management.

French Fencing Terminology Guide

90+ French terms — pronounced, defined, and explained.

PDF · 11 pages

The Fencer's Goal-Setting Guide

Outcome, tactical, and process goals for seasons, tournaments, and practices.

How to Fix Your Weapons

Basic weapon maintenance — adjusting tips, replacing springs, and troubleshooting dead weapons.

PDF · 12 pages

How to Watch Competitive Fencing

What to look for at tournaments and on video.

The Mental Reset Toolkit

In-the-moment composure techniques for between touches, bad calls, and pressure.

National Fencing Styles

How 16 countries approach each weapon — philosophies and competitive styles.

Rating Points & Seeding Guide

How the USA Fencing ranking system works and how to plan a season.

The Referee Handbook for Fencers

How calls work, video replay, cards, and fencing for the referee's eyes.

Saber-Specific Bladework

Cuts, point attacks, parries 2–5, and explosive saber hand speed.

Saber-Specific Footwork

The march, check-step, explosive advance-lunge, and direction changes.

Saber-Specific Tactics

The six core tactics, march management, and saber decision-making.

Sport-Specific Conditioning

Fencing-specific drills, agility work, and strip conditioning.

PDF · 12 pages

The Advanced Footwork Manual

Explosive footwork, compound movements, and competitive-level speed.

PDF · 10 pages

The Beginner Footwork Manual

En garde, advance, retreat, lunge, and recovery — the foundations.

The Complete Guide to Parries

Every parry across all three weapons with hand positions and riposte options.

PDF · 14 pages

The Fencer's Conditioning Foundation

Bodyweight conditioning you can do anywhere.

PDF · 15 pages

The Intermediate Footwork Manual

Advance-lunge combinations, direction changes, and bridging to competition.

PDF · 11 pages

The Mental Game for Fencers

Pre-tournament routines, visualization, focus, and competitive mindset.

The Tactical Playbook

Strategic concepts, bout management, and the tactical wheel.

PDF · 13 pages

👨‍👩‍👧

The Tournament Parent Survival Guide

Registration, equipment, filming, etiquette, and how to be the calm in the storm.

PDF · 15 pages

Understanding the Three Weapons

The rules, strategies, and personalities of foil, épée, and saber.

The Video Analysis Guide

The three-pass method for reviewing bout footage and building scouting files.

PDF · 10 pages

The Warm-Up & Cool-Down Protocol

Pre-practice, pre-competition, and recovery routines for fencing.

PDF · 11 pages

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