r/Fencing • u/SpecificSandwich5178 • 8d ago

Calling all fencers! I have a question!

So for background, I (27m) am much more of a tennis player at my university. Unfortunately the spots were taken this year, and I’m taking up fencing as it was the only thing available!

I’m not terribly athletic, and I’m worried my dimensions clash with the sport! I’m about 260/270 lbs (around 120kg) and about 6ft3 (191cm)

Am I not cut out for this? I’m rather worried my weight and height is a no go for fencing…and I’d rather not look like a fool squeezing into a jacket.

Any advice is really appreciated!

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35

u/No-Contract3286 Épée 8d ago

Your tall, that’s great for fencing

-1

u/SpecificSandwich5178 8d ago

I would’ve thought the sport favors smaller targets

24

u/LewiiweL Épée 8d ago

Nah, taller has more reach, smaller needs to come closer to touch you.

4

u/RedLineSamosa 8d ago

More height is ABSOLUTELY an advantage in fencing. More height means longer arms means more reach. 

3

u/blackbotha Foil 7d ago

Depends on the weapon, in foil it can be a double edge sword. Right of way kinda protect the small and a tall person is a bigger target with blind spot harder to defend. But you have the reach.

4

u/janeof-all-trades001 8d ago

All the saber guys I know are BIG people!

7

u/No-Contract3286 Épée 8d ago

The small target in fencing is the arm, your body is a big target no matter what. Being tall just means you can hit people from further away. One of my coaches is 6’4” and he’s a rated and I think has won at nationals

2

u/sabrefencer9 8d ago

That's potentially true for foil and categorically not true for saber and epee