Need advice in the Bayou State

[AthleticDirector]

Hi,

I have just taken the position as an athletic director at a small private parochial school (pre-K - 8). I will oversee all of the sports (basketball, soccer, golf, cheerleading and dance) as well as teaching all P.E. classes. My goal is to introduce students to new sports. I live in Louisiana where football, baseball basketball reign supreme. There are not very many participation options for young girls. I want to take this program to a new level by offering a variety of sports either at the club level or interscholastic level. I have 2 primary objectives for this school year regarding fencing. Introduce fencing as 1-2 week P.E. activity and start an extracurricular club team. One problem, I know very little about fencing. So I guess I'll learn along with the students. I found the listing of local clubs on this website and the closest one is in Shreveport, LA. (about 1 1/2 hrs). What type of equipment should I get for students? Obviously I need a trained professional to come in a teach. (Cause it's all fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out). Self-teaching would be my last option, although I have 8 yrs experience as a collegiate D1 head volleyball coach. I think we would all agree that the techniques of the sports are VERY different. The last time I checked I don't remember anyone diving or rolling on the floor in fencing I'd liked to get this going in January. This will give me plenty of time to make contacts and convince parents that this is a sport and not what they see their kids doing in the back yard with sticks plucked from the neighbors magnolia tree. I'm open to any advice.

[RITFencing]

Hi! Many fencing suppliers will give you discounts on equipment. I would suggest picking one weapon, probably foil for the kids, and just focussing on that to keep things simple and safe. Epees will be a bit heavy for the kids and sabres will lead to what Peach calls the Mighty Hammer of God Attack... not good when dealing with little kids.

If you can't find a coach, check out the canadian coaching manuals on www.fencing.ca. They have a beginner fencing game they call mini epee which may work well for you, and are excellent sources of info besides. You should also check out the USFA's Become a Fencing Instructor program, which will sadly only run once a year and you just missed it (D'oh!)

[WordRider]

Welcome to Fencing.net. Enjoy your stay!

espiritusaberTerrance

[Five Rings]

Originally Posted by RITFencing

They have a beginner fencing game they call mini epee which may work well for you, and are excellent sources of info besides.

Leon Paul (www.leonpaulusa.com) also has a kid's plastic fencing set which has plastic foils and masks, together with a 10 lesson CD plan and manual (if you buy the 10 player set). I haven't used it myself but looked at it when I was thinking of introducing fencing to my own pre-K kids a few years ago (the regular weapons, even Size 0 foil, tend to be heavy for the little ones, and so they find it hard to sustain the activity or to gain point control). I understand that the advantage is that you don't need jackets or any other protective equipment with these (other than the masks). I don't know about durability but you could call them to find out more about this product.

In regular fencing, I found with my kids (now 8 and 6), that because of the weight of the equipment (masks and weapons especially), and the prolonged period in getting them suited up, that the "attention factor" is limited to 20-30 minutes at best initially, so you may want to plan around that factor too.

Otherwise, have fun and welcome to the sport!

[Five Rings]

Originally Posted by AthleticDirector

This will give me plenty of time to make contacts and convince parents that this is a sport and not what they see their kids doing in the back yard with sticks plucked from the neighbors magnolia tree.

BTW, how else do you think we started fencing? Sticks plucked from trees make great weapons!

[Fencergrl]

The foam swords, I think are ideal for the kids under 9…. Even at age 9, they tend to be rather “whackity-whack”. These can be used to teach distance, feigns and timing.

The older kids would probably prefer regular foils or the plastic versions. You will need jackets and masks for these. This is where you can start to show parries, and footwork in addition to distance, feigns and timing.

Depending on the size of the class, I highly recommend having a least 2 or more adults. Kids with swords get out of control real quickly (they really like whacking each other). They also tend to forget putting on the proper gear and have trouble suiting up.

Your ideal situation would be for you to assist the coach you hire.

[Bill the Blade]

I began my program 3 years ago with 3 jackets and two masks along with several epees. You need to get jackets, masks, gloves and blades (epees, foils or sabers) for each student. Start with French grips, because left-handers can hold each and if you get several lefty french grips you can switch them out quickly if needed.

I began my program with epee because it made the most sense. You can get buzzers for the electric epees, but you still have to determine who scored first and the bell guards will go off. Kevin O'Neill made epee boxes for about $25 in the Gulf Coast area, (Alvin, TX), and he showed me how to make electric bungee reels and I have 5 sets of these reels in my club. You can make these for about $50 per set and they are much more dependable than the Uhlmann, Prieur, etc. for beginners who tend to let go of them or step on them a lot.

Andy Shaw is in Shreveport, and he is the USFA historian and would be a tremendous asset. You could spend a Saturday morning once a month and you would have 6 weeks of lessons. You should contact him and do several of the Saturday sessions to get started.

Several clubs began with new instructors, and eventually produced National level fencers if not Olympians. The coaching techniques are the same in that you need coachable students, and you need to offer them a variety of drills and explain why they work. Andy can help you do this, and look up the USFA site for where to fence, www.usfencing.org.

It sounds like you are in Alexandria or that area. Welcome to the sport.

[epeeisky]

I am guessing you are somewhere between Alexandria and Nacithoches(I just butchered that). Either Andy Shaw in Shreveport or John Poirot in Lafayette will be your best bet for learning how to fence.

I wish you luck. I know how resistant N. Louisiana can be to other sports besides football.

[AthleticDirector]

Thanks for all the information and please keep it coming. Does anyone have a contact information or email address for Mr. Shaw? School starts in two weeks and once it does I''ll be up to my ears in pom poms and gym shorts. Maybe I could make a run over to shreveport (BTW I'm in Monroe).

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by Bill the Blade

I You need to get jackets, masks, gloves and blades (epees, foils or sabers) for each student.

I agree... except some of his students are very young. I wouldn't give 20-30 five and six year olds epees and then try and teach them how to fence.

This isn't a "one-size fit's all" situation. The approach and equipment required will need to be different because of the range of ages and the number of students.

[epeeisky]

Originally Posted by AthleticDirector

Thanks for all the information and please keep it coming. Does anyone have a contact information or email address for Mr. Shaw? School starts in two weeks and once it does I''ll be up to my ears in pom poms and gym shorts. Maybe I could make a run over to shreveport (BTW I'm in Monroe).

Contact info for Andy Shaw

I am not sure, but is Clinton, MS closer to you? There is also a club in Clinton that you would probally be able to learn at.

[park2555]

AD,
I would like to suggest that you contact the Ruston Parks and Recreation Department as they used to have a decent class and a really good instructor. It is where I fenced while I was at Tech.
I too am in a fencing void as I live in Alexandria, so I feel your pain about being in the dark.