Student Qualities

[RITFencing]

There was a thread a while back on what fencers look for in their coaches, and I'm curious about the converse...

What do you other coaches out there love to see in your students, and what makes you cringe? Do you do anything to attract a certain type and repel others, and do you do anything to change things about your students (from attitude to physical ability or anything else) to make them better?

[Peach]

Originally Posted by RITFencing

There was a thread a while back on what fencers look for in their coaches, and I'm curious about the converse...

What do you other coaches out there love to see in your students, and what makes you cringe? Do you do anything to attract a certain type and repel others, and do you do anything to change things about your students (from attitude to physical ability or anything else) to make them better?

A capacity for practice, a little bit of grit, a willingness to apply what they learn, and a sense of humor are all helpful. I don't care how coordinated they are or whether they are in shape--some of my best students have been asthmatic or as awkward as a soggy rag doll.

I don't deal well with students who sulk, whine, or blame everything on other people.

The motto I have on my wall is a big NO WHINING (barred circle) sign. If you whine, you do pushups.

[Adler]

1: An interest in fencing (not always a given i'm afraid).

2: Relatively good general coordination and fitness.

3: Someone who asks questions.

4: Positive attitude/motivation.

5: Someone who puts as much effort into training as they do into fencing.

6: Good sense of rythm.

7: Independent.

8: Cooprative (realises fencing training is a partnership between fencer and coach).

[Allen Evans]

I think that Dave Littel (outgoing coach of Haverford College) expressed the qualities I like in students here:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeegyz6/id6.html

Allen