Advice to a Sword-Wielding Maniac: A fun and practical introduction to getting started in the world’s first "Extreme Sport"

Covers: Choosing a Weapon * Selecting a Fencing Coach * What You Gain from Refereeing and Teaching Others * Developing Your Own Game * Fencing at Altitude * Preparing for Competitions * Equipment Care * and much more!

Expert advice from Benjamin Bratton * Donald Hollis Clinton, Jr. * Leo Curtis * Dan DeChaine * Isabel Ford * Ali Halabyya * Peter Harmer * Cody Mattern-Nagengast * Raoul Rodriguez * and Wang Yung

＂This book covers every aspect a novice to this sport should know or be aware of.＂- ELIZABETH BEGUINET... a wonderful read!!＂ - RON KILBY ...＂It was a pleasure, and an interesting read... well written and filled with good advice and worthwhile information. I enjoyed it immensely!＂- DAN DECHAINE ...＂Very good advice and insightful and amusing adjunct material for a potential beginner up to the low intermediate fencer.＂- PROFESSOR PETER HARMER, PH.D., ATC ...＂A great book for all fencers and parents＂ RUDY VOLKMANN

Shifrin earned her Level One Coaching Certifications in all three weapons from the USA Fencing Coaches College, located at the US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs (2002 to 2007). As of the writing of this book, the author is a rated saber fencer, rated saber referee, and Chair of the Oregon Division of USA Fencing.