Support your fencing habit - TEACH

[AllisonT]

I have found a fantastic way to fund my fencing habit. I teach an "introduction to fencing class" at my kids' school as part of their after school program. The focus of the class is fun, not perfect technique. In the first semester, I had 18 kids grade 3 and up (2 classes of 9 each) and charged $50/kid for a 6 week session (1, 1-hr class/week). All I bought were some Leon Paul foam foils (NOT the sabres [$9ea]), some "I love fencing" stickers [$0.50ea] and inexpensive medals [$1ea] for the end of class tournament. Net gain: ~$700. That paid for some nice blades, a new jacket, entry fees and a week of fencing camp for 12 hours of teaching.

This semester, I taught younger kids (Kindergarten to 2nd grade). They did well and the foam foils proved their usefulness! More games than technique, but they still did some good fencing and got hooked on the sport.

Schools are looking for interesting and different things for kids to do. Foam foils are easy to transport and cut way down on your liability. Play lots of games, teach them footwork, bladework and fun drills. I was very surprised at the quality of fencing by the time the tournament came around. They "got" what I was teaching them and felt like they were in on a cool sport. This year, I'm investing in 2 sets of buzzer foils with the plastic masks and bibs from Zickovic.

Talk to local schools and ask if they need after-school program class ideas. Support your expensive habit!

[fencingmetalfan]

I've often thought of doing that as part of my service hours for school, but I'd have to go through too much legalities since I'm 16 myself. Also, I don't know about teaching with foam foils... just seems kind of dumb to me.

[mrbiggs]

I've often thought of doing that as part of my service hours for school, but I'd have to go through too much legalities since I'm 16 myself. Also, I don't know about teaching with foam foils... just seems kind of dumb to me.

The form foils give them a taste of fencing. They're safer and cheaper. It's very, very difficult to teach elementary school kids to fence properly anyway.

[JEC]

I don't know about teaching with foam foils... just seems kind of dumb to me.

For an introductory class to a group of 6-7 yr old kids, I think this is a great idea and considerably safer.

[GGK]

Also, I don't know about teaching with foam foils... just seems kind of dumb to me.

Foam weapons may seem that way to a 16yo...but with an under 10 crowd in an introductory, after-school program... What? Are you kidding? Foam weapons are the way to go.

[schlager7]

As a result of a continuing ed night class I sometimes hold at the local community college (real foils, masks, etc.), I've gotten inquiries about the early elementary and pre-school ages. I have yet to committ, but I can promise if I do ever start such a program it will definitely go the foam foil route!

[ReverseLunge]

You aren't teaching fencing with your foam foil, fencing stickers and cheap medals. You are just ripping off the kids and their parents so you can pursue your selfish goals.

So they get the foam and you get the FIE.

[fencingmetalfan]

That's true, $50 is what I spent for my first Fencing course (with real equipment obviously), which was 8 weeks long.

[oiuyt]

You aren't teaching fencing with your foam foil, fencing stickers and cheap medals. You are just ripping off the kids and their parents so you can pursue your selfish goals.

So they get the foam and you get the FIE.

You're providing a useful service -- keeping the kids entertained, giving them an introductory education into an activity that they likely would not otherwise be exposed to, and, hopefully, for at least a couple, getting them hooked on an activity they can pursue for a lifetime, all while keeping the kids moving and involved in physical activity, something that's sadly lacking in the lives of all too many American children.

In exchange you receive reasonable compensation.

Sounds fair to me.

-B :)

[JEC]

I completely agree with OIUYT. This is a great service to your community.

[bmcfencer]

I agree too. And teaching is tough. Especially with that age of kids.

Foam foils? Sweet! I should get some. They'd probably be good for college kids too. Though I don't have to teach boys, thank goodness.

[ReverseLunge]

That's true, $50 is what I spent for my first Fencing course (with real equipment obviously), which was 8 weeks long.

My first course was also about that much and 8 weeks long with a certified instructor who was also a competitive fencer. We had real equiptment.

[ReverseLunge]

You're providing a useful service -- keeping the kids entertained.
-B

That's right. Keeping the kids entertained. It's not abolut fencing it about entertainment. It might cost her a few dollars but she would do a better job is she wore a clown costume while "teaching" since it would be in theme with the foam foils.

[NoFleche]

$50 is very fair for this type of class--I'm sure the other parents on this board would agree. $60 - $80 per 4 week session is the norm in my area for after-school sports classes.

Real foils in a group setting when you've got kids as young as kindergarten is nuts. And I think the stickers and medals are a nice touch--little kids really love stuff like that.

Good for you for introducing these youngsters to a great sport! (And I'm sure your local clubs will be gratetful for these "feeder" classes--they'll make some money too when your kids want to take the next level of lesson.)

[Fencergrl]

$50 is very fair for this type of class--I'm sure the other parents on this board would agree. $60 - $80 per 4 week session is the norm in my area for after-school sports classes.

Real foils in a group setting when you've got kids as young as kindergarten is nuts. And I think the stickers and medals are a nice touch--little kids really love stuff like that.

Good for you for introducing these youngsters to a great sport! (And I'm sure your local clubs will be gratetful for these "feeder" classes--they'll make some money too when your kids want to take the next level of lesson.)

I agree completely! Good for you!

[bmcfencer]

Yes. Also children are often afraid of clowns. Actually, I know a lot of adults who are afraid of clowns. Also a lot of adults I wouldn't hand an actual fencing weapon too. For the first fencing class I taught (at a youth conference) we had to make do with those awful foam sabers Triplette sells (some of them missing guards) and pbc pipes wrapped in foam. It was terrible. And when we gave up and just started whacking at each other I accidently made someone bleed.

I wish I'd had something like that class when I was a kid. It sounds wonderful, and if I had a kid I'd happily sign them up for it.

[oso97]

And you know, a number of us who are "certified instructors" also use foam sabres in our group instruction. I've got a great game that I use to drill distance stealing and taking over the attack that we do with foam sabres. With all ages - little ones all the way up to my competitors.

[bmcfencer]

Would you describe said game?

[striker]

.................................................. ......
This semester, I taught younger kids (Kindergarten to 2nd grade). They did well and the foam foils proved their usefulness! More games than technique, but they still did some good fencing and got hooked on the sport.
.................................................. .......
Schools are looking for interesting and different things for kids to do. Foam foils are easy to transport and cut way down on your liability. Play lots of games, teach them footwork, bladework and fun drills. I was very surprised at the quality of fencing by the time the tournament came around.

Sinve I have an interest in coaching issues, I always look forward to
hear from teaching experiences and success stories of other coaches for
all age levels. I found your post very informative.

As you mentioned in your post, the foam foils are the absolute right thing
to use if the school is sensitive to potential liability issues. Also it looks
like the combination of games and real fencing teaching methodology that
you used paid off. It is the end result that really counts, and you
mentioned that "they got hooked on the sport" and "they did some
good fencing" .

As far as I know the use of games to teach fencing to youngsters
is well documented. I found the information in the Canadian Fencing
Federation's Level 1 coaching manual very useful. There is a section
about games on page 63 titled "Games Leadership". There is also a
section about "working with parents of Fencers" on page 82.
Here is the link in case you or someone else is interested.

http://www.fencing.ca/coaching_manuals/level1_eng.pdf

[orrsword]

Also, I don't know about teaching with foam foils... just seems kind of dumb to me.

I would like everyone to remember the good old days of their childhood...all those years ago (probably not that long ago for FENCINGMETALFAN). I don't know about you guys but my first experiences with fencing were of my classmates wacking each other with swimming pool noodles and sticks. Play-fencing with foam swords that actually looked like swords would have been way cooler than than a swimming pool noodle, not to mention getting ACTUAL fencing lessons after school!!!

I think ALLISONT is being very smart about tapping into a need that is obviousely there, I mean...what kid DOESN'T want to be Robbin Hood, or Arigorn or a Jedi. Kids have been play-fencing since before kids existed, I don't see anything wrong with giving them foam swords and teaching them how to wack each other better--and I don't think there is anything wrong with profiting from it because all in all, it's really more of a service to the kids than it is to you.

So, ALLISONT, I say Bravo!!