Help coaching foil

[fencingeppeist816]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'm a 4/5 year epee fencer who is going to be coaching a foilist for the first time. I've never fenced foil. I understand it, but I'm not sure how to give good lessons yet. Do you have any advice or ideas for how to give a good foil lesson that isn't too complicated for me? Thanks!

[InFerrumVeritas]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'm a 4/5 year epee fencer who is going to be coaching a foilist for the first time. I've never fenced foil. I understand it, but I'm not sure how to give good lessons yet. Do you have any advice or ideas for how to give a good foil lesson that isn't too complicated for me? Thanks!

I guess the question this brings to my mind is, why are you coaching in a weapon you don't fence and have never fenced? Also, it's hard to gauge what is too complicated for you. What does your student know already? What do you feel you are capable of? etc.

[fencingeppeist816]

I guess the question this brings to my mind is, why are you coaching in a weapon you don't fence and have never fenced? Also, it's hard to gauge what is too complicated for you. What does your student know already? What do you feel you are capable of? etc.

It's a rather long story, but her coach wasn't helping her too much, so she asked me. She is a beginner fencer. Only fenced for a year or so. I've watched a lot of foil and I finally understand the concept of right of way. I feel capable of doing anything at this point. Maybe just simple drills working with parries, counterattacks, parry riposte, etc. I know what to do, but I'm not sure how to put a whole lesson together.

[wescfencer011]

It's a rather long story, but her coach wasn't helping her too much, so she asked me. She is a beginner fencer. Only fenced for a year or so. I've watched a lot of foil and I finally understand the concept of right of way. I feel capable of doing anything at this point. Maybe just simple drills working with parries, counterattacks, parry riposte, etc. I know what to do, but I'm not sure how to put a whole lesson together.

well there are 2 things you can do at this point.
option A: covert her to epee. since she is a beginner anyway and now know how to handle a blade. it would be easy now.

option B: work with her something that all three weapon have in common and equally important. distance distance, iron leg, soft grip. soild parry with immediate repoiste.
don't do counter attack
work more on set up for action. ( start attack 4 line, disengage 6 line and expect parry than excute 1 2 back to 4 line)

one more thing is mentality. teach her to think like a fencer and not worry about how's on the strip but herself.

alot of time newbie think they can't win because the are new. break that think and she will be fine.

[Allen Evans]

While you're intentions are good, I would have to urge you to be very frank with your prospective student about your limitations and abilities in a weapon you've never fenced. I would also urge you to talk to a coach YOU respect who knows something about foil in order to guide you.

In absence of a foil coach of your own, I would point you towards the coaching part of the Canadian Fencing web site, a web site by Coach David Littell, and my own site, found here.

[Lady Quindecim]

Well, I was going to use different words, but say the same thing. I fence epee, but coach beginner foil. More like, intro to fencing, a la foil. But... I used to fence foil.
To highlight the above:
Be honest about your limitations.
Drill the "basics" to train actions, reactions and build confidence.

Oh, and here is a thought... Have her teach you foil. Fence her foil. Drill on what you think she needs to improve on. The best way to learn is to teach, right?

[Purple Fencer]

Point control.....just as important in foil as in epee (more so, actually, since you have a smaller general target to hit).

A parry/riposte to the chest is the same in foil as it is in epee...you might want to start there.

[RkfdFencer]

While you're intentions are good, I would have to urge you to be very frank with your prospective student about your limitations and abilities in a weapon you've never fenced. I would also urge you to talk to a coach YOU respect who knows something about foil in order to guide you.

In absence of a foil coach of your own, I would point you towards the coaching part of the Canadian Fencing web site, a web site by Coach David Littell, and my own site, found here.

Quoting for emphasis on Allen's advice and the resources he links.

I will also add that teaching concepts will be important, even if you do not do it right from the start. The 'why' of something and not just 'do this, then this.' Posts and blog entries by Allen or Jason have some nice coaching theory discussion.

I also like Lady Q's idea of having her teach you as this will force her to begin to think about the conceptual side of the action. (why have my hand at this rotation in this position)