don dahler shows us why you want want to cross swords with her. >> feel the blade, touch your blade, release and go. >> kristen vines is a no nonsense fencing coach. >> trains your self-to be ready. >> reporter: one of the best in the nation. >> good, then i come back, you come forward. >> reporter: she drills her baylor school team in chattanooga, tennessee, on the tactics and techniques that have lead to 17 state titles. >> do you think people without don't fence understand the intricacies. >> absolutely not. >> oh, you're a fencer. yeah, that's-- and they don't get it it. >> reporter: but the 56 year old isn't content to just direct others and stop the sidelines. vines is a four-time u.s.a. fencing champion who still competes. >> in fact, she won the gold at last year's national championship for women age 50 to 59. >> which is better, when you're in the competition or when you see them in the competition. >> i would rather compete than watch them compete. i can't stand to watch them lose. >> at 6 foot 2 vine says she may be a little slower than her opponents, but her secret to liv