Soft Fencing

Padded foam swords are used throughout, delivering the full tactical experience of fencing without the equipment intimidation associated with standard kit. Technical instruction covers footwork, guard position, basic attacks, parry, and riposte, and participants then move into supervised competitive bouts with clear rules and scoring. The activity develops reactions, spatial awareness, strategic thinking, and competitive discipline, and is accessible from age five making it one of the most inclusive combat sport options we offer. The natural group energy and excitement generated makes it an outstanding atmosphere activity within any programme.

Soft fencing captures all of the spatial awareness, reaction speed and competitive thrill of traditional fencing in a format suitable for the youngest groups. Girlguiding members earn the Sport Adventure Badge, consistent with the full sport. For schools, soft fencing delivers KS1–KS2 PE content on coordination, balance and physical confidence. Like its full-contact counterpart, it develops decision-making, reading an opponent and the discipline to wait for the right moment — skills that transfer well beyond the session. It's also brilliantly fun, and the competitive element means even the most reluctant participants usually end up fully absorbed.

Soft Fencing is an accessible adaptation of the sport governed by British Fencing. Our instructors apply British Fencing coaching principles to the soft format, and the activity is delivered within Beaudesert's outdoor education risk assessment framework.

Soft Fencing creates incredibly vivid group memories. The combination of concentrated technical instruction followed by competitive bouts — cheered on enthusiastically by teammates — generates remarkable group energy. It also consistently surprises participants who expect it to be complicated: the basics are simple, accessible, and immediately rewarding.