The adventures in coaching....

[thebigriddle]

As a coach I find the most difficult aspect of teaching the sport is keep losing you mind, and the beginner find their way to understanding the sport and how you smack them around. Of course it is even more difficult teaching it as a class to a group of college students who just need it for another credit. I love to hear some stories, perhaps it will lighten my day, before I go back to the bottle LOL

[attila]

Hi Bigguy

It can be frustrating. But it can also be very rewarding. Just gotta remember the god days and let the others go. I taught beg.inter and adv foil at a local University as a volunteer for many years. I found that if i workd the begs really hard only the cream would go onto inter and adv. Though i did have fun with the "jokers" in the group. There is always the know it alls and the big mouths in any class. So i made sure I made THEM my dummies whenever i needed to explain a move in real time. The assholes i made sure I hit in the collar bone ( they definetly learned to parry). Currently I coach at a private club and have a nice spectrum of bods. Junior foil weasels all the way to veteran epeeists. Last nite during the Junior weasel class one of the shy girls took down the best boy foilist ( this with a little coaching ) 5-2. Her head barely made it through the door as she was so happy. Made my week!!!!!!

Hang in there

Attila

[Inquartata]

But aren't ALL foilists wea----er, ah, um, cough...

[Zelda]

I'd prefer to be thought of a a shrewd shrew please!

[Kodiak Kid]

I'm suffering from a little burn out right now myself. Drives me nuts when the little bastards don't pay attention. Maybe I'll start doing like Epee-whatshisname and start using the flat of my foil against their backsides. (probably not..)
Got a little local tourny this weekend that I'll be presiding over, maybe that'll get me cheered up if anybody shows up for it.

I think I need an assistant coach/teacher to take a little of the load off. Anybody want to move to Kodiak?

Maybe I could try the bottle route before going to class sometime!!
"OoooH Kaaayyy then! Everybody stand back to back with your opponent! En Guarde!! Ready? Retreat-retreat-retreat!!! Hee-Hee-Hee that was fun let's line back up and try it again.

New drill! up against the wall everbod-ee. In sixth, partial extenshun, tip touching the wall. REAddy??? Balestra! Hee-Hee you guys should see yourselves!!"

Hoo-boy---Time for a nap now

[swordsen]

If you think a group of college students is rough try and picture yourself with a group of 25 kids bewteen the ages of 9 and 16. (the majority being 11-12) Insanity soon follows......

[FHPyro4L]

It's only my second year at this, but as our foil captain had to leave practice early, I was put in charge! Mind you, I'm not a public speaker AT ALL. Although, most of the newbies were former field hockey players of mine so it was a little easier to say, "A'right girls! Everyone move your *** over here and watch.. This is what we're going to do.."
And the thrill of being in charge and teaching them what I know, over powered my fear of screwing them up.