How to self coach?

[Southside]

.....

[keith]

And how do you get good practice at a club where there are only 6 or so advanced fencers, including you?

You take control of your own training. Now you could be lucky enough to be in a club where a coach was willing to keep taking your money for this service, but sadly you get to keep your money.

So if you have six neglected bodies who feel that no-one is there to direct them;

Structure the evening.

Footwork and distance exercises without blades.

Simple distance exercises with blades.

Structured bouting.

Break it up by having a once a month poule unique with an ongoing ranking table.


From what you say about your coaches I suspect they might even be willing to provide a list of games/drills free of charge.

[RITFencing]

If your daughter is experienced, she can give herself goals during bouting time to make sure she's getting the most out of it; she should fence some bouts purely to win and others to work on a specific technique, tactic or concept.

She can also do her own footwork and do some target work, as well as find fencers who are willing to drill with her on something she needs to work on.

Encourage her to talk to the coaches and be non confrontational. If I were her, I'd tell them that I was to do some more work on my own, but would like some guidance as to exactly what I need to improve and how I should go about doing it, with maybe a bit of review here and there. She can also work to reinforce what she does get in lessons; trying to incorporate it into her own practice and bouting.

Keeping a journal of what she's working on, what's going on, how her work is going, what exercises does and the goals she's working towards, both short and long term, as well as whatever else she feels like writing down.

Finally, exercise. Increasing lower body strength and speed, increasing hand and arm speed, overall agility and body control, and core strength, which is often overlooked. I'd encourage her to try and build up both sides of her body evenly, since fencing is very asymmetrical. it won't help her game that much, but it will help her stay healthy and less injured, especially later in life.

[Southside]

Thanks! I got some very good advice!

[MdA]

Thanks! I got some very good advice!

Hey...I was born & raised on the Southside...50th and Damen. You must have deleted something from your original post. What is the situation? ....are you lacking an experienced professional coach ...or are you lacking experienced bouting partners?

My advice...if you are a young fencer....don't spend a lot of time figuring out how to coach yourself. Find an experienced, certified (if available), professional coach.

If you are in Chicago...there are a few qualified coaches. Send me a PM and I will recommend a couple.

[Allen Evans]

"Six or so advanced fencers" is actually a LOT, if you spend your time actually breaking down and building up each other's games, talking about what works, structure practices so you're all sweaty at the end, come up with drills to work on each other's weaknesses (attacking from out of distance, fighting in close, compound ripostes....).

But is the answer you're really looking for?

AE

[emagdnim]

There has to be someone close enough to go to at least once a month or so. What I have to do is I only get to actually go to my coach once or twice a month and the rest of the time I'm at my college club/team doing the exercises and drills he thinks are best for me. The advice from self help books and what not are not bad but they can't replace correction.

[Phrogger]

Well, I didn't see your original post so I don't know your coaching situation. However, I am in a similar difficult situation in that there are only about 4 fencers at my level with which to practice in my club (that is if they decide to show up), and no epee coach. Since most of the others lack the time to dedicate to coaching, I've taken the initiative to do what I can for us collectively, even though I may not be the most knowledgeable or skilled among us ( I don't think that's a requirement, only the willingness of the others to accept instruction). As long as you back up your assertions with a reputable source, you're good.

This year I've done a lot of reading and constructed my own syllabus from two main sources: Foil, Saber, and Epee Fencing and Epee 2.0. I structure the practice and have drills all set to go. I also recently attended a fencing/coaching clinic and a referee clinic. I hope to eventually attend a dedicated coaching clinic, and maybe in a few years, coaches college and take the Montieur exam.

Now I know what you're thinking. "I don't want to be a coach." Me either. But I really don't have much choice if I want our group to improve collectively.

Hope this helps.

[Mo]

Now I know what you're thinking. "I don't want to be a coach." Me either. But I really don't have much choice if I want our group to improve collectively.

Go to Coaches College. You don't have to end up being a coach but I guarantee you will learn a heck of a lot.

The information is on the USFencing.org page but I can't get it to open this morning either. Some times it is good to stay up all night on the west coast.

The Momster

[TodG]

You can do a lot of technique training with a pair of people, one acting as coach. You can work on particular parry/riposte drills and the like with one other person. If you know what you are supposed to be doing, it's a matter of repetition until it's fast, correct and instinctive.

[Mo]

Wow!!! Even with my edited version (I am scared to death of being recognized and making my daughter's sitiuation worse) I got some fantastic input and advice. Thanks to all, it is much appreciated!

Dear South Side,
You just hit the nail on the head of a big problem of fencing. People are afraid to do what they need to do for their kids.
We just spent years bucking one of the most powerful coaches in the USFA and paid for it. Not as dearly as he wished we had paid, but we did pay. The US lost one of the best saber fencers in the world because of it. The USFA and USOC did nothing to help us deal with the abusive coach and his evil minion either.
She is your kid. Do what you think is best. You have to always remember that. She is your kid and she needs you to be looking out for her because no one else will.
If she needs to go to another club, take her. Take her to as many clubs as she wants. If people complain just change the subject.
The Momster

[jBirch]

If people complain just change the subject.

We call that a "non sequitur". Though it's more like Keith's "appel-banana" then anything else.

James.

[catwood1]

Though it's more like Keith's "appel-banana" then anything else.

James.

I had to read that 3 times before I realized that you said appel and not apple...

TGIF...

[Justin107d]

When I started fencing in HS I have mostly been my own coach since the school coach fenced sabre and I didn't go to a club (still haven't figured out why I didn't). I loved to fencing those who were better than me. Eventually after getting my butt kicked in opens and rose to the top. From that point I started to just focus on making actions infinitely smaller. On some of the weaker fencers I slowed my actions down with split second pauses in between, let instinct take over, and asked questions like: Was the action good? Why is this action good? Is there an even better action that I could have done?

[Mo]

When I started fencing in HS I have mostly been my own coach since the school coach fenced sabre and I didn't go to a club (still haven't figured out why I didn't). I loved to fencing those who were better than me. Eventually after getting my butt kicked in opens and rose to the top. From that point I started to just focus on making actions infinitely smaller. On some of the weaker fencers I slowed my actions down with split second pauses in between, let instinct take over, and asked questions like: Was the action good? Why is this action good? Is there an even better action that I could have done?

Although it is harder to do, fencing on your own can make you a much better fencer.
The coach can't tell you want to do in actual time, you have to know it or you get beat. It is good to get some pointers but if you are very self aware then you can figure it out.
The Momster

[Fencergrl]

I had to read that 3 times before I realized that you said appel and not apple...

Must be that crazy Canadian accent

[epeelion]

Hey, anyone want to play "How many threads can we post without OFA and Ed Korfanty getting brought up again somehow"?

Christ

[Jason]

Hey, anyone want to play "How many threads can we post without OFA and Ed Korfanty getting brought up again somehow"?

Christ

You're actually signing your posts "Christ" now?? I think you've been spending way too much time with Aladar.

[epeelion]

:-P

I understand if this upsets you, I forgive you.

[emagdnim]

.....

Don't self coach if you can help it.