Southern Star Saber Academy offers individual private lessons and prepaid lesson packages. Students may purchase lessons one at a time or prepay for a regular monthly training schedule. Currently I only offer 30-minute lessons, but I intend to add a 45-minute option early in 2027 for Intermediate Fencers. Fencers are allowed to schedule up 2 sessions back-to-back.NOTE: For younger fencers (age 7-12) and/or beginner level fencers of any age I strongly recommend scheduling a maximum of two (2) lessons per week.Private-Lesson Rates30-minute lesson: $2045-minute lesson: $30 (NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE)Prepaid Lesson PackagesStudents may purchase packages of four or eight lessons:Lesson OptionFour LessonsEight LessonsTen Lessons30-minute lessons$80$160$18045-minute lessons$120$240$270A four-lesson package is intended to support approximately one lesson per week for a month. An eight-lesson package is intended to support approximately two lessons per week.Packages are offered for convenience and scheduling consistency. The per-lesson rate is the same whether lessons are purchased individually or as part of a package. A ten-lesson prepaid package offers a discount of one FREE lesson.PaymentLessons and packages are purchased through the FencR app. Please see details in the section about FencR app below. Payment is due when a lesson is booked or a package is purchased. A lesson is not confirmed until the booking and payment have been completed.Unused Lessons and RefundsPaid lessons are refundable until they have been used. Students who need to change an appointment may retain the lesson as an account credit and reschedule it through FencR, provided the change is made at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson.Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, missed without notice, or forfeited under the academy’s cancellation policy are considered used and are not refundable.If part of a prepaid package has been completed, any remaining unused lessons may be retained as account credits for future scheduling or refunded upon request.

Lessons are scheduled by appointment. Each private lesson reserves a specific block of the coach’s time for one student. Clear scheduling and cancellation expectations help keep those limited lesson times available and fairly managed.Scheduling LessonsAll private lessons must be booked through the FencR app. What is FencR and how to use it detailed in a section below on this page of the website.Available lesson times will appear in FencR, allowing students or parents to select the appointments that work best for them. I will do all that I can to keep lesson time slots same every week, but please understand that due to competition and/or coaching travel obligations there may be some fluctuation in the schedule. Preferred day or time is not guaranteed until the booking is confirmed.Students are encouraged to schedule lessons in advance, particularly when consistency or a particular training frequency is important. You can schedule up to 10 lessons in advance, though in special circumstances I will be able to allow more.Rescheduling and CancellationsA lesson may be canceled or rescheduled without penalty when at least 24 hours’ notice is provided through FencR. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled lesson will be charged as completed lessons and will not receive a make-up lesson or account credit.When a student knows that an appointment cannot be kept, canceling promptly allows the time to become available to another fencer.Late ArrivalsStudents should arrive early enough to begin at the scheduled time. A student who arrives late may participate for the remainder of the reserved appointment, but the lesson will still end at its originally scheduled time. Additional time cannot be added when another lesson or appointment follows. The full lesson fee remains due when a student arrives late.Missed LessonsA student who does not attend a scheduled lesson and does not cancel at least 24 hours in advance will be charged for the lesson. Missed lessons are not eligible for make-up appointments or credits.Academy CancellationsIf Southern Star must cancel a lesson, the student will not lose the lesson or payment. The appointment may be rescheduled through FencR or handled as an account credit, as appropriate.te visitors find quick answers to common questions about your business and create a better navigation experience.

Every prospective student is invited to attend one complimentary 30-minute introductory lesson before deciding whether to join Southern Star Saber Academy.The introductory lesson is designed to give the student a genuine first experience in saber fencing. It also gives the coach and student an opportunity to meet, discuss goals, and determine whether the academy is a good fit.What to ExpectThe introductory visit includes:A brief introduction to saber fencing and how lessons are structuredBasic safety and equipment instructionAn introduction to stance, movement, and weapon handlingTime for questions about lessons, equipment, scheduling, and membershipA conversation about the student’s interests and goalsNo previous fencing experience or personal equipment is required. Southern Star will provide the fencing equipment needed for the introductory lesson.Students should arrive in comfortable athletic clothing and clean athletic shoes that allow for safe movement.Scheduling and EnrollmentIntroductory lessons are available by appointment and are subject to the coach’s schedule. Each prospective student may receive one complimentary introductory lesson. Please contact me, Igor Omerbegovic at 337.412.5452 or email me at igor.omerbegovic@gmail.comParticipating in an introductory lesson does not create an obligation to join the academy, nor does it guarantee that a preferred recurring lesson time will be available. If the student wishes to continue, enrollment options will be discussed after the lesson based on availability and program fit.

A parent or legal guardian must attend the introductory lesson of any minor student and remain present throughout the visit.Before instruction begins, the coach will meet with both the parent and student. This conversation provides an opportunity to discuss the student’s interests, previous athletic experience, any relevant considerations, and what the family hopes to gain from fencing.Parents are encouraged to observe the lesson and ask questions afterward.I am currently unable to work with prospective students who have either physical or mental disabilities. Though it is my most sincere hope to find and hire a coach in future who can and is specialized in work with disabled fencers.

New students do not need to purchase fencing equipment before beginning lessons. Southern Star Saber Academy provides the basic protective equipment and training weapons needed during the beginner stage. This allows students to learn the fundamentals and confirm their interest in the sport before investing in a personal fencing kit.Academy equipment may include a mask, jacket, underarm protector, glove, and saber, depending on the lesson and activity.Clothing for Beginning LessonsBefore purchasing fencing whites, students should wear:A comfortable athletic shirtLong athletic pants that allow unrestricted movementClean indoor athletic shoes (I usually recommend Asics Gel Rocket or equivalent. Running shoes are not suitable for fencing)Hair secured away from the face and maskJewelry removed or secured so that it cannot catch on clothing or equipmentJeans, sandals, boots, open-toed shoes, and clothing that restricts movement are not appropriate for lessons. Students who arrive without safe clothing or footwear may be limited to activities that can be performed safely or asked to leave the lesson.Personal Fencing EquipmentStudents may use academy-owned equipment while learning beginner fundamentals. Before progressing to electric fencing or bouting with another fencer, students will be expected to obtain the personal protective and electric equipment required for those activities. The coach will determine when a student is ready to make that transition. I have provided an equipment buying guide for beginner fencers of all ages, and all of the gear can be obtained through Southern Star to help with ease of process).If you choose to purchase the gear yourself, I strongly recommend that all students and parents consult with me or any other coach before doing so. Saber equipment must meet specific sizing, safety, and electrical requirements, and buying without guidance can result in equipment that is unsuitable or unnecessarily expensive. Approved equipment may be ordered through the FencR app with guidance from the coach (see saber equipment buying guide).Care of Academy EquipmentStudents are expected to handle academy-owned weapons and protective equipment responsibly and return all borrowed items at the end of each lesson. Any damaged, poorly fitting, or malfunctioning equipment should be reported immediately. Students should never attempt to continue using equipment that may be unsafe.