Do you ever compromise for sake of retention?

[cfaustus]

I was just wondering if any of you ever feel like you have to compromise the training you give to fencers in order to keep retention up or to make learning fencing more attractive/fun? If so, what do you find yourself compromising on and why?

[kalivor]

Originally Posted by cfaustus

I was just wondering if any of you ever feel like you have to compromise the training you give to fencers in order to keep retention up or to make learning fencing more attractive/fun? If so, what do you find yourself compromising on and why?

Large classes have to move a bit too quickly for the slower learners, so that the better fencers don't get bored and stop.

So, yes: Some fencers get rushed so that better fencers can be retained.

Other than that, there's not much compromise going on. Fencing IS fun, and something as small as letting beginners fence a single point at the end of a lesson is usually enough to convince them to stick with it.

[glowstix]

since i'm not a coach, i obviously don't do it, but i was subjected to it in my beginner's class of '03. looking back, i think the coach made us touch the weapons too early for the sake of keeping people; it backfired since it was too much too soon and everyone (except me) quit out of frustration because they probably felt the coach thought they weren't learning fast enough. if i had it to do over again, i'd do footwork for 5 months, followed by 4 months of basic bladwork drills also concentrating on the handwork/footwork coordination which i think is very important (where i think i'm lacking), followed by 4 more months of controlled bouting, followed by 2 months of sharp bouting, followed by tournaments.

[oiuyt]

I set significantly lower standards of performance in my PE classes than I do in team or club practices. Retention isn't an issue, I haven't had anyone drop mid-semester and can't say I'm much concerned that anyone would. And the grade at the end that factors into their GPA should do a fairly good job of ensuring regular attendance (not that it has in every case, but I think little of what I could do changing the way I present the material would affect those cases significantly).

I view these classes as a fun introduction to the basics of fencing. They get people moving, get them to learn about something they might never otherwise encounter, and create 30-40 (depending on the number of classes I get) people each semester who, 25 years from now, when their son/daughter, who wants to be Robin Hood starts whacking away at the neighborhood trees with a stick, will be more likely to take the young hellion to the local fencing club.

I expect my students to learn the basics, to be able to do most footwork and bladework actions reasonably well, and to know enough about ROW to be able to self-ref bouts to a not horribly unacceptable standard. They have to know some basic theory. But I don't expect anywhere near the precision that I require from students that are training to compete.

-B

[achilleus]

When I taught intro classes for kids, I had three priorities:

1) Safety
2) Fun
3) Teaching Fencing

In that order. The kids that truly loved fencing would always ask where they could get more training, and then I would point them in the right direction where they could really learn.

[big daddy]

Yes I have and ti was such a mistake. I now understand that there are two kinds of fencers; those who just want to try the sport and those that want to compete. I will never mix the two again.

[Allen Evans]

Originally Posted by cfaustus

I was just wondering if any of you ever feel like you have to compromise the training you give to fencers in order to keep retention up or to make learning fencing more attractive/fun? If so, what do you find yourself compromising on and why?

I'm nervous about your choice of words here, cfaustus. A teacher "teaches to the room". What I would cover (and the level of performance I would expect) from a Saturday afternoon class of 12 year olds is much different than I would cover (and expect!) from an individual lesson with an "A" or "B" level fencer.

Perhaps you could expand on your question?

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by big daddy

Yes I have and ti was such a mistake. I now understand that there are two kinds of fencers; those who just want to try the sport and those that want to compete. I will never mix the two again.

yeah, but if you have a bunch of beginners ,how can you tell the difference??