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Welted 24/7 · 06-25-2008, 10:05 PM

So moving to a new area with a new club is pretty imminent, and it's been a while since I've had to adjust to a new coach. What kinds of things should I generally be expecting? I'm not sure if there's some kind of coaching "form letter" type of thing for a first lesson. I'm sure it'll vary from coach to coach, but I figured I'd ask and see if there are any must-do's in the first one.

Allen Evans · 06-25-2008, 10:28 PM

First lessons are like first dates. Some try to impress and end up trying too hard. Both parties leave thinking: "I'm not going through THAT again". Some people enter into the date and know it might take a bit of time to get to know the other person, and those people tend to have better experiences.

I'm always impressed by those new fencers that come to me with some questions, some answers, and specific goals*. It shows that they've given some thought to their own fencing, and that they are starting a relationship with me on exactly the right basis: they are looking for information, and they want to see if I have the information they need. I tend to find that pretty refreshing.

AE

*I swear that the next student who doesn't have more to say to me than "I want to be a better fencer" when we discuss their fencing will get kicked in the butt.

Delta · 06-25-2008, 10:44 PM

AE, I really enjoyed that analogy. mind giving me lesson? promise me you'll let me finish the line, " I'd like to become a better fencer...but could I have your number first? I'd like a real date before we go anywhere more serious." (NICE DATE!)
On a more serious note, I'm always amazed with how versatile (and dare I say, clever?) some of the more experienced coaches are when meeting a newcomer to the club. I've seen them adapt and communicate with perfect efficacy to match the personality and thinking style of each and every fencer.
Some coaches like to have you free fence and discuss to "feel" you out before doing anything. You could ask how coaches give lessons or watch a bit of one, and if it's really not something you're comfortable with, you could always say what your private lessons where like in your previous club and come to a sort of consensus on what works for you. My only caveat is that I've seen some younger fencers who come in with the attitude, " Well, MY old coach did things blahblah way and I MUST ONLY have it blahblah way."
I always tell myself that a new club will more than likely put someone our of his/her "comfort zone" and into the " stretching zone." And that some awkwardness is not horrible on a first date.

Welted 24/7 · 06-26-2008, 11:52 AM

Thanks to both of you. Allen, great analogy, although it's been a while since I've had a first date, too. I definitely have some things in particular I want to accomplish next season, and things I know I need to work on.

RITFencing · 06-26-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Evans

*I swear that the next student who doesn't have more to say to me than "I want to be a better fencer" when we discuss their fencing will get kicked in the butt.

I literally laughed out loud.

Too often, though, it's our job as coaches to figure out exactly what to work on when someone with prexisting notions walks into our clubs. I try to use not only the first lesson or two to gauge that, but if possible I like to watch them fence for a while beforehand (or maybe even fence with them, if I'm putting gear on that night.)

Ordway · 06-26-2008, 06:51 PM

I think it takes at least a couple of lessons before you can tell if the match between coach/student is a workable one.

I think the way it worked out with my coach now was pretty effective. I fenced at his club for a few weeks and saw how he interacted with his other students. I felt like this was someone I could respect and work with, so I asked him if he'd take me on as a student. He said he'd give me a couple of lessons and we'd see how it went. The first few lessons were fairly short, scheduled around other people's lessons as he could fit them in. After that, I knew I wanted to keep working with him and he saw that I was someone he could work with, so he took me on as a regular student.

Getting to know a coach at least a little bit first is, I think, a good idea. At least for me, character and teaching style were just as important as knowledge and skill. I'd never be able to work with someone who yelled at me or made me feel like an idiot, no matter how good a coach they were, for instance, while other people are motivated by that.

I think it's also important to consider what your view is of loyalty to a coach. Do you view a coach as one of perhaps several people to give you lessons, or as your coach, overall? In my case, I don't take lessons from anyone else, and both my coach and I share the view of my fencing career as something we are building over the long term. (So for instance my lessons are part of a larger training cycle that includes me doing drills on my own, conditioning, and yes even taking time off periodically!)

Other situations are different, for instance if you know you are only going to be in a place for a certain amount of time or for a specific goal, but it's probably best to make sure both parties are clear on that.

seven6ty · 06-26-2008, 08:29 PM

I wouldn't expect much more than to find out their style of coaching and what basics they emphasis. I'd also prefer to watch them for a few days/weeks, to see how they work with other students, who have been taking lessons for a while. This will again, give you an idea of what things they emphasis, and their methods of instructions. From there, see if these things fit what you are looking to learn, and/or the path you're looking to take.

It's also good to look at several of the coaches at a particular club, if there are several. This will allow you to see if there are other instructors you might work better with. It's not always a case of finding the most successful coach in the club and working with him/her, as you might not always mesh well together.

telkanuru · 06-27-2008, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Evans

*I swear that the next student who doesn't have more to say to me than "I want to be a better fencer" when we discuss their fencing will get kicked in the butt.

Sigh. Now I'm going to have to move and take lessons from you. Why do you set yourself up for these things?

Mr Epee · 06-27-2008, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telkanuru

Sigh. Now I'm going to have to move and take lessons from you. Why do you set yourself up for these things?

Uh... do you really want to become a better fencer?

or is it the other thing you're into?

That's what I was afraid of...

Good Night Everybody!

I'll be here all week... then you're on your own.

Freaks.

DJ Apostrophe · 06-27-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

then you're on your own.

Yeah yeah... we've all heard THAT before.

-w

Mr Epee · 06-27-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Apostrophe

Yeah yeah... we've all heard THAT before.

-w

That's not what I meant.

MyrddinsPrecint · 06-27-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

That's not what I meant.

What did you mean? You can't keep jerking us around........

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

*dissolves into a puddle of tears*

piste off · 06-27-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

What did you mean?

I'm not sure either, but suddenly I have a craving for veal.

R-

RITFencing · 06-28-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piste off

I'm not sure either, but suddenly I have a craving for veal.

R-

Sigh... the taste of suffering is too expensive for RIT these days.

MdA · 06-28-2008, 11:25 AM

This thread seems to have degenerated overnight. Back to the topic at hand. I agree with others in this thread that it is good to check out a coach before you start lessons.

It is also a good idea to ask other coaches with whom you should work. These could be coaches you meet at NACs that know coaches in your area...or the area to which you may be moving.

Taking a first lesson from your college coach is also an intersting situation. For those making a decision on college fencing...make sure you ask "Who will give me my lessons" before you make your decision

MyrddinsPrecint · 06-28-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MdA

This thread seems to have degenerated overnight. Back to the topic at hand.

*waves*

Hi! You're still pretty new. We do this to a lot of threads. It's pretty usual, actually. You should feel free to ignore the off track threads and just respond to the original thread without needing to comment.

Unless it's been about 7 pages since the original topic was discussed at all, then it'll seem pretty weird, but it's still fine to do.

Also, "overnight" is nothing for us. If it's particularly punworthy, we can derail an entire thread in about 15 minutes.

VorpalCat · 06-29-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Evans

*I swear that the next student who doesn't have more to say to me than "I want to be a better fencer" when we discuss their fencing will get kicked in the butt.

I get all droopy and dejected-looking when they say that and answer in a sad voice, 'Oh. Okay. I have this great series of lessons for making you a worse fencer but if you don't want to do that...' *heavy sigh*