Adrenaline it's for Teaching!

[RITFencing]

While I don't recommend or endorse whipping a student with the weapon, I do want to point out that a coach has to deicde what sort of environment they want. Each student may get a different experience, especially in private lessons, but I find that a club should have a clear idea of what their culture should be like. If they try to please everyone, it will result in a mediocre experience for all, but if they pick a good segment of the population that they want as members and deal well with, then the club will eventually fill up with that type of member, provided enough of them walk through the doors.

[MdA]

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I think that if the coach is creating a good lesson experiance and learning environment, adrenaline will be a natural part of that, and the coach doesn't have to worry about creating extra stimuli for the student.

AE

I think this works both ways...if the coach is good at creating a good lesson...there will be plenty of stimuli for both the student and the coach...and much less need for a "tap" on the head. some of those lessons can get pretty boring...

Sean's experience reminds me of a part of Kogler's book "Training the mind..." He advocates the fencer write down things they can remember after a particularly great bout....then go back and read them over....next time to get back in the zone...or "flow"