Did you know you can learn fencing right here in Southlake?

USA Fencing says the sport helps kids develop lightning-fast reflexes, quick decision-making, balance and coordination.

Gold Blade Fencing Center teaches épée (eh-PAY), one of fencing's three swords along with foil and sabre. If you've never watched a bout, here's how it works:

1. Only the tip of the blade counts.
2. The whole body is a target, even the hand.
3. There's no right of way: the first fencer to touch scores, and a red or green light shows who landed.
4. An official bout is usually three 3-minute periods. The first fencer to 15 points wins, or whoever is ahead when the third period ends.

New fencers start with a four-week beginner course that begins the first Saturday of every month. The next one starts Saturday, Nov. 7.

Kids can start at around age 7, and there's no upper age limit: adults train here too.

Fencing has been at every modern Olympics since 1896.