Can you best your coach in a 15-touch bout?

[DanielSun]

And if so, is he still a good coach?
I can....when he lets me!

[keith]

And if so, is he still a good coach?
I can....when he lets me!

well I would have thought that the very definition of a good coach was someone who could train a fencer to be better than they are (or were).

.. but to answer the question, back when I was coached no.

[keith]

.. oh and remember coaching alot always throws of your competitive timing

[DanielSun]

[QUOTE=keith]well I would have thought that the very definition of a good coach was someone who could train a fencer to be better than they are (or were).

good point! Then is a prerequisite to being a good coach competitive success?

[sreckiki]

And if so, is he still a good coach?
I can....when he lets me!

I don't know about my new coach (he doesn't fence due to a old back problem) but when I was in my previous club, I had three different coaches and I could beat them with more or less difficulty...

I had the same three coaches since I was a beginner and it was always a kind of satisfaction to finally find a way to beat them (they used to really kick my ***). But even after that, they still were good... and the fact that I finally beat them proves that they were (and still are, I guess) good coaches: they made me progress a lot!

[S. Hunter]

Never actually fenced my coach, but I doubt I could beat him in any weapon. I might do alright in sabre with the new timing, but I still think I couldn't. Even if I could though, I would still trust his advice.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

every once in a while I can, but not often. However, the scores keep getting closer, with most bouts ending 13-15. He's a good coach, and in my opinion, the place of a coach is teaching, so as long as I'm still learning, he's a good coach.

[keith]

good point! Then is a prerequisite to being a good coach competitive success?

only useful in persuading parents to part with money for training junior - other than that it tells you nothing about the quality of a coach.

.... the act of training a fencer is a bit more indirect than a vulcan mind meld.

[shlepzig]

It really does not matter if you can beat your coach as a competitor or not. Your coaches' job is to make you the best competitor you can be, not to beat you in competition. What makes him a good coach is his ability to analyse your technique and tactics in a bout, and help you to strengthen your game.

There is a pre-requisuite that your coach have a strong knowledge in the sport to be able to properly analyse your form and tactics and give you proper feedback. It is also a pre-requisite that he have some ability to demonstrate with you and to properly train you to improve your game. Neither has any bearing on whether he can beat you in a bout or not.

I took a seminar with Charles Selberg years ago, and the man was quite aged at the time. It is unlikely he would have won a bout against any of the strong fencers in our salle. We were all able to improve our game after the weekend seminar from what he could teach us about our fencing.

Shlep.

[Peach]

I've known one of my coaches since he was about 13. I asked him to be my coach because he's a really good coach.

Sometimes I can beat him, sometimes he beats me. He gives good lessons, though, and he has improved my fencing.

My other coach doesn't fence sabre, so the point is moot.

[glowstix]

quite a few times...once by a score of 15-3.

[suregrip]

Sure, I could beat my coach. If he was blindfolded, had his legs in irons, had his free arm chained to his body to minimize his balance, and I had a handicap of say.......8. Sure, I'd stand a chance, at least.

[ebonylevin]

Sure, I could beat my coach. If he was blindfolded, had his legs in irons, had his free arm chained to his body to minimize his balance, and I had a handicap of say.......8. Sure, I'd stand a chance, at least.

I quite agree that for one of my coaches except the handicap would have to be at least 10-11. (he was in the chinese foil team '95-'97) I have only fenced him once and he beat the snot out of me 15-3 and he was being easy. oh how depressing. On the other hand I can beat my other coach but shes old and decrepit and also happens to be my mum so...
I havent fenced my sabre coach yet. I dont want to I really suck!

[epeezack]

5 points-yes
10 points-maybe
15 points-no

and yeah hes a great coach

[fencergal33]

The only time I've ever beat him is when he fenced left handed.....but hey, it was still a victory!

[Saber-Psycho]

I can beat him,
when he's been up for, like, 8-10, 15 touch bouts in the middle of summer in our UN-air conditioned fencing gym.

Heat stroke can be your friend!

[JackSparrow]

I can hardly think of any decent British coaches who are also formidable competitive fencers. Mark Nelson-Griffiths, who has been training some of Britains most successful Foilists over the past decade only ever fenced Epee in competitions.

By the same token, being a good fencer doesn't mean you'll make a good coach.

[Victor]

Yes, I can.
But he doesn't fence often.

[bwoodward]

Can't beat him yet. Most of the time he reads me like a book. When I score the occasional touch on him, it feels like a small victory.

[The0ne]

yes, i can beat my coach. THe biggest score differential was 15-2 i believe.