So much to teach , so little time

[big poppa]

I have a class of beginning fencers and ten week to get them to a competive level or a novice level. My problem is this : what do I teach them in such a short time. My first mind tells me to teach them to play with distance , two simple attacks and two or three parries but, I have doubts and no more time. What are your ideas?

[HilandDoug]

Hey, Pop. I routinely have this situation, as I teach 3 new classes a year (two 12 week classws and an 8 week class). I find the best bet is to keep it simple. Grip, en guard, advance & retreat, straight attack, feint attack, beat attack, 4 & 6 parries. Do distance excersizes (sp?) every week.

Good luck!

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

big poppa,
Pul-leezzzz. You have a history of starting topics you already know the answers to.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

big poppa, member 315 posted this.

posted 02-11-2002 04:13 PM
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this is my third year as a high school fencing coach. This I have found to be true: 1. Teach the basic skills, footwork , timing , control of distance and simple attacks.2 keep it fun.3. I if possible , do not allow them to compete for at least six months.4 And of great importance create the simplest program that you can think of and then make it even more simple. You cannot teach everything in eight weeks, eight months or eight years. Teaching high school fencing is great. You will learn even more from them than you can expect, trust me on this one.