2005 USFA Coaches College

[Andrea]

The latest information to date - The USOC has just approved the dates for the 2005 USFA Coaches College and Armorers College to be held at the US Olympic Training Center over July and August this summer

There will be an information and display booth at the 2005 Junior Olympics in Arlington, Texas. There will be course information and applications available. The directors of the program Alex and Elizabeth Beguinet will be present to promote and advertise the program.

Other staff members will also be present at the competition include Michael Marx, Kelly Williams, Gary Copeland, Dan DeChaine, Andrea Lagan

The USFA National Coaching Development program website (http://coach.usfencing.org) will have all application document and course curriculum available at the same time.

[DHCJr]

But, what were the dates approved? I checked the web site. Nothing.

[oiuyt]

And most importantly, will saber 3 be held this year? :)

DHC- guess we'll have to wait a couple of weeks until the time Andrea mentioned the website would have the information.

Incidently, for anyone considering attending, I went to 2 sessions each in 2001, 2002, and 2003 (2004 it wasn't held, the Olympic Training Center was booked with athletes training for some big brouhaha over in Greece somewhere I think). I think this is a great program and well worth the time. I intend to continue attending a couple of sessions (each session is a very full week) each summer for the forseeable future (or until I run out of levels). While I haven't participated in the Armorers College portion (yet), it's also a highly valuable opportunity, based on my observations and from talking to my friends that have participated in it.

-B :)

[DHCJr]

Dan was told me yesterday it will be expanded to 9 days each session, but they were still working on the dates. But to announce that they have the dates approved, but saying we will tell you later, seems to be wrong.

[striker]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

.......................................
Incidently, for anyone considering attending, I went to 2 sessions each in 2001, 2002, and 2003
.....................................

I am not clear how the USFA Training program certification works. I will
appreciate it if someone explains their certification process.

Does the person who attends the session gets a certificate of
completion or does he actually have to take a written and practical
test at the end of the class to get a certificate ?

Also, are the USFA classes mostly pedagogy classes concentrating
on teaching correct techniques for individual actions or do they also
teach strategy and tactics? I guess the real question is the following:
can a fencer (not necessarily a coach or an aspiring coach) benefit
from this training program ?

[hpfencing]

I've been nbefore and plan on going agian this year. Hope many others will sign up to, it is a great experience.

[oiuyt]

The earn a certificate you must pass both a written and practical test. Taking the tests is not required, although nearly everyone does so.

The classes vary in structure based on what level class and who the instructors are. Level 1 focuses on how to teach beginners. Although there are some high level and experienced coaches, the class is also designed to be accessible to people who are just getting started as coaches and includes a fair amount of instruction on cueing. For many people level 1 fits their entire needs -- perhaps they are only interested in being able to instruct beginners in classes at their club or to assist a higher level coach, perhaps they want enough knowledge to be able to safely and reasonably conduct an afterschool high school club, etc.

Level 2 expects a higher degree of experience and ability from the coaches participating. More advanced topics are covered and the courses focus on what one would teach an intermediate or better fencer. Because the expectations of who is attending are more rigorous the physical technique of the participating coaches also tends to be significantly higher than in level 1. More thought is given at this level to how one presents oneself as a coach during lessons and being able to make the actions in the lessons more boutlike.

Level 3 and 4 are taught much more as "here's the types of things that I'm doing with my advanced students and where I see fencing in this weapon moving over the next couple of seasons". Significantly higher standards are applied. These are aimed at experienced coaches that are teaching experienced and fairly advanced students. Starting at level 3 CC is designed to allow coaches to concentrate on only a single weapon.

Level 5 is more of an individual thing, includes helping with teaching at CC, I believe a written portion, a year-long training plan, and likely several other components.

The system is designed to start people and level 1 and build up from there. In order to take any level 2 class one is expected to have passed two level 1 classes, and inorder to take a second level 2 class all of level 1 should have been completed. Likewise for level 3 (with level 2 taking the place of level 1 in the above sentences). All of level 2 should be complete before taking a level 4 class. As I've mentioned a coach can concentrate on just a single weapon starting at level 3 (so all three weapons through level 2, then foil 3, foil 4, foil 5 (for example) rather than needing to take all three level 3 classes then all three level 4 classes prior to level 5).

With permission of the staff there can be exceptions made for experienced coaches to skip to a higher level.

For reference I've taken foil 1, epee 2, saber 2 (stupid American spelling of sabre... :) ), foil 2, epee 3, and foil 3. I hope to take saber 3 and whatever else conveniently fits my schedule (top choice epee 4) this coming summer.

I have a very high opinion of the staff teaching the classes and their ability to convey knowledge and improve me as a coach.

In addition to the gym sessions there are various classroom seminars. I don't have my guides with me, so this is rather incomplete, but among other things there are classes on motor learning (split into three parts and taken as part of the level 2 curiculum I believe), a basic armoring session (nowhere near the level the armorers college people (who do it 24/7 for their time at camp... or at least it seems that way) do it, but also taught by Dan Dechaine who is a wealth of interesting anecdotes and an amazing fount of technical information), a rules session, clinics on various topics (what can athletes do after sports, running a successful club, personality types and how to teach them, etc.), many taught by OTC staff or consultants, CPR and sports medicine (both leading to Red Cross certification) clinics, and general coaching clinics (at level 1 and leading to ASEP certification). So there's significantly more than just what goes on in the gym, although that is the primary focus.

As I said, I think this is a wonderful program, I'm glad I've participated, and I intend to continue to do so in the future.

-B :)

[SwordSoul]

cool post. i'm glad to know this is a cool program. i had my doubts before because i was afraid it would be just one guy stuck in the '80's or something ( i obviously knew nothing about this program before)

peace

[Mr Epee]

I honestly don't mean to hi-jack this thread... but, why can't people just focus on their weapon(s) of choice?

I have never understood this coaching requirement that foil/epee coaches learn to coach saber. It really seems like a huge waste of time to me.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by SwordSoul

cool post. i'm glad to know this is a cool program. i had my doubts before because i was afraid it would be just one guy stuck in the '80's or something ( i obviously knew nothing about this program before)

peace

Staff includes (or rather included last time I was there in 2003) (and now I REALLY hope I don't miss anyone (for reference, these are the people giving primary instruction)): Alex Beguinet, Michael Marx, Ed Richards, Gary Copeland, Andrea Lagan, Ro Sobalvarro, Kelly Williams, Zoila Palacio, and, for the armorers, Dan Dechaine. So, a number of exceptionally good coaches who have lots of current experience and proof of their abilities in the form of high level students.

-B :)

[striker]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

The earn a certificate you must pass both a written and practical test. Taking the tests is not required, although nearly everyone does so.

.............................
-B

Thanks for the detailed post. I have a couple of questions if I may.

Do the students take the exams on the last day of the class ?
I am not sure how that is possible since you do need study and
practice time before taking the exams. I am trying to compare and
contrast this with the certification process by the USFCA which requires
study and practice outside of the class BEFORE the exams are taken.

Also, I think I read somewhere that Maitre Alex Beguinet is
the person who started this program. Is my information correct ?

[oiuyt]

Alex and Ed have both been involved every year that the program has been in existance.

The evening or afternoon (I forget which) of the second to last day is the written exam. The practicals take up the entire last day for those that have passed the written. The day is generally divided with the level 1's doing practicals in the morning (with two judging panels) and the higher level classes going in the afternoon (can't recall when level 2's go and it might be numbers dependent), with a single, larger review board. Time slots for the practical are reserved the previous evening once the results for the written test are available. For lower levels (1 and 2) each coach chooses his/her student for the practical. For level 3 in 2003 the student for the practical was chosen by lot. I believe that was an experiment and don't know if it will be repeated or if they will go back to the coach selecting his/her student as in previous years. When you know who your student is going to be you generally work more often with that student in the final days, when we had lot-drawn students the drawing was during lunch of the day of the practicals so, while everyone had worked with everyone to some extent, there was rarely significant specific preperation of the lesson to be given.

The practical exam for levels 1 and 2 has 2 components. The first is footwork where the coach draws a card specifying a couple of footwork actions to be demonstrated and described (and answer questions from the panel about). Level 2 cards are more detailed and the coaches are held to a higher standard. The second is a lesson element such as "attacks on the blade" which the coach must demonstrate with his/her student. These cards are drawn as the previous coach begins his/her practical.

For level 3 and 4 the practical is a lesson. The coach chooses what to teach and how. The board can (and will) ask questions and will frequently ask to see other specific actions taught or ask for variations on the lesson or on the actions displayed in the lesson.

As far as studying, to do well on the written test one must study outside of the gym sessions. There are manuals, both general, and level/weapon specific which must be known. There are rules questions on the test. Especially at the lower levels, where many of the coaches are being exposed to the CC manuals and testing for the first time, there are group study sessions on many, if not all, of the evenings. How much one needs such study depends in part on knowledge one enters the program with, in part how well one absorbs new information, etc. But one should definitely expect to spend a fair amount of "free" time learning the material presented.

The final gym sessions are generally used for physical review and ironing out technique, as well as preparing lessons. It is not unusual for coaches to find additional non-assigned time to work on things further, especially in the uncommon cases where a student is chosen from another class (eg in 2003 I acted as a student for a coach in the epee 2 class during the session I was particiapting in the foil 3 class. We knew each other, she knew she could get good reactions out of me and that I could manage the physical requirements that she wanted from a student for her practical lesson. So we worked together during lunch and dinner breaks on several days so that I was familiar with her cueing and she was familiar with what types of actions I preferred. We hadn't previously worked together, but it worked out well as I very much enjoyed her lesson style and she could draw the responses out of me for which she was looking.).

I haven't taken the USFCA tests (although I was a student for a colleage's prevost practical (all three weapons)), so I can't directly compare them. The point of CC is much more the instruction than the diploma, but my sense is that the testing is close to equivalent, albeit somewhat different. I know that you'll find people that argue that USFCA testing is harder/longer/more stingent. Perhaps that's true. From my limited experience the prevost exam that I was a student for was longer, and somewhat more in depth than the equivalent level 3 exams at CC. Harder I'm less sure about, there were some major flaws in the lesson that I was given as part of the practical (including some muffed answers to questions posed by the board which actually ended up with ME demonstrating how the variation should be taught and the board accepting that (it was never correctly demonstrated by the coach who was being tested)), yet the practical was passed.

There used to be reciprocity between the USFCA and Coaches College (possibly back when CC was a 3-level system rather than the current 5 level?) but that ended a while ago.

Feel free to keep throwing questions out there and I'll do my best to answer them.

-B :)

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by DHCJr

Dan was told me yesterday it will be expanded to 9 days each session, but they were still working on the dates. But to announce that they have the dates approved, but saying we will tell you later, seems to be wrong.

Interesting interpretation of my posting. I was in a position to be able to give some advance notice of what to expect in the next couple of weeks, no intention to mislead. I GAURENTEE that the website (http://coach.usfencing.org) will have the info posted as promised by the dates stated. (I make the updates) so this is something I can deliver.

This is an outstanding program run by outstanding people (Alex and Elizabeth Beguinet) . This is also a program I love to talk to anyone about.

Contact me.

[DHCJr]

I also approve and recomend both the Coaches and Armorers college. I just find that to announce that the dates have been approved and not say what dates were approved. I know the J.O.'s are less than 3 weeks away, but getting Summer vacations for some companies is hard and it is first come first serve.

On this forum, since last summer, there have been discussion that the College was going to be in July and August this year, but the exact dates were not available. From your posting, "The USOC has just approved the dates for the 2005 USFA Coaches College and Armorers College to be held at the US Olympic Training Center over July and August this summer", I would assume the specific dates were known.

I was not asking for what was going to be taught, or what levels, just those specific dates. Do you know those specific dates?

[CvilleFencer]

I have a question... actually a few of them. I have been coaching a couple of years now, as well as running a successful club and several school programs. I am also a somewhat decent Armourer and can do pretty much anything with a weapon and Uhlmann (except the spring case, I don't touch the spring case), LP or Favero reels, and have worked at a NAC before as an Armorers apprentice.

As a coach, my teaching is mostly epee/foil. I know the very basics in Saber, and that is about all I ever want to know. My time is very limited as is my funding and I am concerned that I will come to the L1 coaches and Armourer colleges and have had nothing to show for it except a lot of wasted savings and missed income from the time off. I know it is hard to judge a level of coaching/fencing knowledge from talking to someone, but maybe you could give me an idea if I would benefit from the L1 or if I should try for the L2 somehow in both coach and Armourer programs?

For coaching, some examples. I would say I am proficient in teaching all the basics such as footwork, timing, tempo changes etc. For parries I can teach all eight, their counter/circular parries and ceding parries. Attacks simple and compound, beats, feints, Coupe, flicks and preise de fer (even if I can't spell it!?!). I also like to teach a lot of "why" as well as the technique and start off trying to get students to think about how to build their actions and be able to analyze their and their opponents skills. Transferments, envelopment’s, flicks etc are also not a problem for me to teach in a way that a competent student can pick them up. I have only been coaching for a couple of years but I have had students that I have taught from the ground up earn E's and D's in a division that is not exactly full of chumps and boosts the largest fencing school in the country (to hear the owner tell it). I would actually say I am a better coach than I am a fencer, especially in foil. Not trying to fluff up my ego or anything, for what I know I may be a beginner for where the USFCA program starts up, so that is why I am asking.

For Armoring, there is pretty much nothing I can't repair on a weapon (that I have run into yet), I am pretty good with most of the major reels (learning more and more about the Uhlmann every day) and can build pretty much anything I need given a little time and spare parts. I also have enough understanding of the principles behind most of the stuff we use to "improvise" in a tight spot like making an emergency floor cord out of paper clips and an extension cord. For equipment check in and so forth I am pretty quick and very thorough, although a little more picky than I should be about some stuff, like mask dents but have gotten much more relazed about it after the Richmond NAC. I am also very familiar with the rules regarding equipment requirements and what is and is not allowed.

In short, would I spend a few grand learning what I mostly already know if I went to the L1 classes or do I have a much-inflated opinion of what I already know? Any info would be appreciated. I would like to attend all of them and I would not be picky except going for a couple of weeks would basically be my vacation for the year that I would have to be able to justify as well as a few weeks of lost income since us self employed types mostly all work for jerks who don't offer paid vacation time. Thanks again for any info!

[Andrea]

no I do not have specific dates. Let me try this. The USOC approved the dates for USFA Coaches College just to be at the facility in Colorado Springs this last Saturday. The Directors of the program need time to contact the course instructors to ascertain the available times for them to be available to teach at OTC in Colorado Springs. The Directors will then schedule the different levels into the 3 sessions of Coaches College during the approved time, and then a schedule will be made available to all – including the staff. The turnaround for all of this scheduling is about 2 weeks. I think that is about as reasonable as it can be.

I just wanted to give some advance notice about the program and to expect information at a certain time – JO’s. I guess I don’t get why that is wrong.

[Andrea]

CvilleFencer – I am not terribly quick on the keyboard, so my short and quick answer is that you are just the person that Coaches/Amorers College would hope to attract, and expect to have something to offer you. I started at Coaches College as a Basic Foil student in 1992 with Alex Beguinet and Ed Richards. I met so many people that sparked my interest to become a coach. I had a chance to talk to other coaches of many abilities, talk about a variety of coaching ideas, and have the chance to learn from the level coaches that I wanted to be like. Every year I meet amazing people working so hard at being good coaches all over the US, and I and I am very happy to have a opportunity to work in a program that supports coaches. I know that over the years, CC has played a big part in the accomplishments I have had up to now.

For you I say talk to a staff member about what you are doing. Sometimes coaches with a lot of practical experience may slot into level 2 or 3. If you can come to JO’s this would be a great opportunity.

[Allen Evans]

One of the important criteria to use when deciding if you should take a Level 1 class at Coaches College or ask to be moved to Level 2 should not be whether you know or teach an action in the weapon of choice, but whether you understand why an action is done and whether you can show this to a student in a concise way.

Cvillefencer, this is not pointed directly at you, but I would make a strong case to anyone reading these posts for taking Level 1 and not moving on to Level 2 unless you have a very strong grasp of teaching fencing actions and cueing them for a student.

When I took Level 1 (foil), I had been fencing (and coaching) for some time: ten years or more. I KNEW all the actions being taught, as did almost everyone in the class. What I think Level 1 gave me and the other coaches in class the confidence that I could take a fencer who had learned these actions BADLY or did the right action at the WRONG TIME and help the student. I also walked out of Level 1 with a very strong grasp of why something worked ("Why bind this blade, rather than beat it?") as opposed to asking for a technique in islolation from the student. I, too, had my share of successful students at the local level, but I walked out of Level 1 foil having my eyes opened to a lot of actions that I was sure I knew very well.

Another advantage was having lessons I was comfortable in giving critiqued by the staff at Coaches College. I'll echo the comments made earlier by Brad about the Staff. They are professional, knowlegeable, and anxious to help - but won't hesitate to point out something that you could be doing better, or smoother, or with more poise.

Some of the classes at Coaches College were easier than others for me, I'll admit. But there was never a time when I felt I had "blown" any of the money I spent to get there. In Level 1, I was very comfortable with most of the material presented, and used my time to dig deeper into some of the "simple" coaching issues presented by Maitre Ed Richards, which proved to be invaluable to me. Like any coursework, what you get out of the class is directly proportional to what you put into it, whether it's Level 1, or Level 4.

The USFA gets a lot of flack for not doing much for the "grassroots" fencing in this country. But every year, the staff of Coaches College give up a large hunk of their summer time to teach coaches from all over the United States and send them back to their clubs to make fencing in America better. They don't get half the praise that they deserve.

Allen Evans
Dominion Fencing

[oiuyt]

CVille- You sound like exactly the type of person targetted by the intro level (which I think is 3 and they count down to 1, similar to referee ratings rather than the levels in the fencing portion of CC) of armorers college.... You know what you're talking about, have experience with a large array of equipment, have experience at large events, etc. Go for a week of armorers college and you'll end up with an extrem