Spring 2009 Edition of The Swordmaster

[MdA]

The new Spring 2009 Edition of The Swordmaster is currently being emailed to all current USFCA members.

If you are a current member of the US Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) and have not received your copy please contact the Secretary at Secretary@usfca.org.

Inside this edition:

Tactics in Fencing -
Preparatory Actions
by Z. Czajkowski

Creating a High School
Fencing League
by K. Vail

Olympic Analysis
by W. Green III

In Memory of:
Paul Pesthy
Eric Solle

Coaching
Preparatory Actions
by A. Kandlik

[Adler]

Sounds like some interesting articles, are they available to non-USFCA coaches?

[MdA]

Sounds like some interesting articles, are they available to non-USFCA coaches?

You can join the USFCA as an associate for $35 online at www.usfca.org. The latest Swordmaster (as well as the remaining quarterly issue for this year) will be emailed to you or you can request a paper copy via Post.

With an associate membership, you can login to www.usfca.org and have access to 29 back issues of The Swordmaster in the member’s online library. The online library also includes 45 Masters Theses by USFCA Fencing Masters.

You will also have access to all of the USFCA study materials for Moniteur, Prevot and Masters certification.

[Adler]

Thanks for the info.
At the moment I'm based in the UK so joining the USFCA isn't really an option.

[oiuyt]

Thanks for the info.
At the moment I'm based in the UK so joining the USFCA isn't really an option.

I believe you can still belong without being located here.

-B

[MdA]

I believe you can still belong without being located here.

-B

That's correct. You don't need to be a resident of the USA to be a member and receive the Swordmaster and other materials. However, if you intend to take the certification exams, and your country has an AAI member academy (like the BAF in your case), then you should take the certification exams in your home country.

[oiuyt]

That's correct. You don't need to be a resident of the USA to be a member and receive the Swordmaster and other materials. However, if you intend to take the certification exams, and your country has an AAI member academy (like the BAF in your case), then you should take the certification exams in your home country.

Should take, but is it required (not that this is what Adler is talking about, so we're thread drifting here)?

-B

[aamct2]

Should take, but is it required (not that this is what Adler is talking about, so we're thread drifting here)?

-B

Are taking coaching certification exams regularly a required part of being a member of the USFCA? You are never required, though you are encouraged, to take the coaching certification exams. In order to be a Full Member rather than an Associate Member you must earn at least one certification through the USFCA or you can earn it through an equivalent organization and seek the Certification and Accreditation Board's approval. However, to get the Swordmaster and many of the benefits of the USFCA you only need to be an Associate Member. The big benefit to Full Membership is that it gives you the right to vote on USFCA decisions.

Should you take the coaching certification exams in your home country rather than elsewhere? It is again generally encouraged that you do this, if your home country has a coaching certification program (which the UK does). There are a couple of reasons for this. First, if you are certified elsewhere, you will have to seek your home country's approval that these certifications are equivalent to their certifications. Also, a coaching organization in your home country is going to be working with their fencing NGB, government, etc to make sure it meets the needs and requirements of your country. The Academie d'Armes Internationale (AAI) provides a standard framework and minimum guidelines for member associations' certification procedures. But it certainly doesn't prevent you from adding your own requirements to their minimum guidelines.

~aamct2

[oiuyt]

So again, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the statement is that one OUGHT to test in one's home country (if testing is available), but it's not required that one do so. One could test elsewhere. It may be more or less convenient to have such testing recognized once one has returned home.

-B

[MdA]

So again, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the statement is that one OUGHT to test in one's home country (if testing is available), but it's not required that one do so. One could test elsewhere. It may be more or less convenient to have such testing recognized once one has returned home.

-B

You are correct. It is generally encouraged that AAI member academies train and test members in their own countries. The AAI has discouraged weekend trips to another country to get certified….but an extended residency with training is OK. I lived in Germany for three years and trained and tested with the ADFD. Recently, the AAI has started giving certification exams at AAI recognized courses….there was one in Germany last year and there is one scheduled for Dallas this coming May. The purpose is to increase the number of training and certification opportunities for coaches. The staff and the certification boards are made up of Masters from several AAI countries.