Ideal ages to teach aspects of fencing

[Li'l Bebe]

I end up giving a lot of lessons (foil) to younger kids, usually ages 7-13. When do you think it would be good to introduce more complicated aspects of the game, such as second intention, tempo, and the mental aspects of the game? I have tried teaching these to various students with some degree of success. But I'm starting to wonder if they really understand the concept, or if they are just going through the motions to get the lesson over with.

Also, any general advice about giving good one-on-one lessons to younger kids?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Hmmm... I'd avoid the advanced concepts, and stick with technique. Work on getting good arm/leg coordination, a good extension, good point control, and good parries. Dont worry about their minds yet. When teaching them, I suggest having them run laps before-hand, to get them sorta worn down. A hyper child is a poor child to teach. Try using comparisons (i.e. when explaining the concept of 4, 6, 7 and 8, I explained that my blade was a wall, and a roof. Above my blade was above the roof, so it was "high" and toward the outside of my blade was the outdoors, so it was "outside". Through this, I got a load of 6 years to understand the concept of lines, like high outside, or low inside) The most important thing is to communicate with them in a way they can understand. Get down on their eye level to talk to them, it'll help them understand you better. Also, have them repeat your instructions back to you.

[luv2fence]

My hat is off to you; I fence with 12 and over.
I am not their coach, but I do coach them when
their game is way wrong: over-parring, wide blade
waving for a search, etc.

Sometimes metaphors will help introduce people,
of all ages, to new concepts; sorry, I have not
yet developed any metaphors for fencing.

"tempo" is such an elusive term-concept.
Avoid introducing terms that are not absolutely
required, especially if the terms have many,
confusing meanings. (I have just been reading
old threads on "tempo" and related issues:
OMyGoodness.)

ROW is very difficult, for teenagers and even
adults. Are you going to make some simplified
ROW rules for them; I would try.

When to introduce more complex concepts?
On a case by case basis; after each kid had
developed the more simplified fencing that
you had already taught.

Keep notes on what you have taught each
student. Introduce ROW rules to them in
coaching sessions, not during bouting.
Stick to the ROW rules at their level.
Example: If you have not taught PIL yet,
do not give it priority, though you might
need to explain, that at a higher level of fencing,
it will take priority.

Good luck on you ministry.