USFA Coache's College

[Greg]

Any idea as to the future of the USFA coaches college. I attended several but saw that this year's was moved to Duke. According to the USFA website, it was later canceled. Then the 2009 program was cut short due to late scheduling. The college was a great experience, especially at the OTC. I hope it will be continued.

[Allen Evans]

The OTC has been more and more difficult to schedule in recent years. At this point, there seems to be some doubt about a USFA sponsored clinic for 2011. If it's held I suspect that there is a strong chance that it will NOT be held at the OTC again. Those days may be over.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you might consider the international course in Germany (everything is done in English). This is the link to the 2010 course:

http://www.fencingcourse.com/index.php


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[Greg]

That's too bad. I really enjoyed the Coaches College at the OTC - (especially the cafeteria!) It was a great deal. Working out at altitude like that for ten or more days also helped alot. I hope they can find another venue.

[darius]

I spoke with Elizabeth B. about Coaches' College in Cincy.

The impression I got was that somebody at the USFA dropped the ball when dealing with the USOC re: Coaches' College. This year, it seems they're pushing harder for it and alternately making plans to host at someplace like Duke, in case the OTC plans fall through. While the OTC is an inspirational environment, what matters most is the curriculum and the focus on coaching education. That needs to continue; Elizabeth assured me that they're still quite personally committed to doing it, so that's good.

As usual, more news should be available by Junior Olympics.

darius

[Allen Evans]

Thanks for the update Darius.

[MdA]

This is looking like a repeat of the last couple years. CC should be scheduled by now….just like the NACs and SNs.

It should have been on yesterday’s BOD meeting agenda.

[Allen Evans]

In the past, the schedule has not been announced or planned until late February.

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[MdA]

In the past, the schedule has not been announced or planned until late February.

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How's that been workin' out for ya?

[Allen Evans]

Hmm...pehraps I should have left the "planned" part out of that sentence, I suspect that work is being done already to arrange dates, based on Darius posting above.

*shrug* I'm not sure what the big deal is. For the many years I went to CC, the schedule was announced and distributed at JO's, leaving me plenty of time to get time off work and arrange travel. Of course, I also knew roughly the dates that CC was going to be offered, which helped my planning a lot. I hope that if CC comes off again this year (and they are offering somethign I can take) the dates aren't too different. I'm not going to assume anything is "late" until February, or even March. I'm aware of how difficult it is to arrange time with the OTC (the USOC is having its own problems, remember) and it seems wise to cut them some slack. Elizabeth and Alex have done this before, and they're pretty sensitive to the needs of the campers they hope to attract.

As a back up plan, I'm expanding my horizons beyound Coaches College for my own training. Either taking the AAI course in Germany in the fall of 2011, or visiting some clubs to learn from other coaches. Even with Coaches College as a regular thing, one week a year isn't enough time to answewr all the questions I've had in the past about fencing. That's why I try to attend camps and talk to other coaches as muc has I can.

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[MdA]

Sorry to pick on you Allen to make my two points.

1. CC planning and scheduling should be done sooner to avoid the problems of the past two years. It appears that the NO staff have bigger fish to fry in February and March.

2. There has been no champion for coaches on the Executive Committee and the BOD for the past few years.

Alex and Elizabeth should not be trying to push this up from the committee level. The BOD rep for the Coaches Committee should be asking the committee (and the NO staff)

"What's the plan for CC this year?"...and they should be asking now. I don't think CC is even on the BOD radar.

[Jason]

As a back up plan, I'm expanding my horizons beyound Coaches College for my own training. Either taking the AAI course in Germany in the fall of 2011, or visiting some clubs to learn from other coaches. Even with Coaches College as a regular thing, one week a year isn't enough time to answewr all the questions I've had in the past about fencing. That's why I try to attend camps and talk to other coaches as muc has I can.

Should it be called a "back up plan" when it's better than the alternative?

[Allen Evans]

MdA: I agree, Alex and Elizabeth have shouldered this for far too long, and the USFA -- as an organization -- should have stepped up to make this part of a long range plan for American Fencing. I feel that coaches haven't had a champion on the BoD for some time, and in the end, it's going to hurt us.

I would love to see the USFA put together a real national plan to train coaches, but, as you point out, that seems more and more remote every year. Alex and Elizabeth are only going to be doing this for so long, even if they get back on track with Duke or the USOC.

Jason: Coaches College has more than it's share of warts, to be sure, and I've been a vocal critic at times. But I know that it's done a lot of good for fencing in general, and I know that I wouldn't be at what ever level of coach I am now without it. That may be damning with faint praise (especially if I'm the poster child for Coaches College) but the alternative before Coaches College was.....nothing. I've been very grateful for the work that Alex, Elizabeth, and the staff have done, but it's time to move on, at least for me.

[Jason]

Jason: Coaches College has more than it's share of warts, to be sure, and I've been a vocal critic at times. But I know that it's done a lot of good for fencing in general, and I know that I wouldn't be at what ever level of coach I am now without it. That may be damning with faint praise (especially if I'm the poster child for Coaches College) but the alternative before Coaches College was.....nothing. I've been very grateful for the work that Alex, Elizabeth, and the staff have done, but it's time to move on, at least for me.

I wasn't trying to knock CC, but I do assume the German course is higher quality. I'm not very familiar with its details though.

Wendell, anything you can tell us about that course? I wonder if there isn't something there that could be copied here. The info on their site is pretty limited.

[MdA]

AAI Course in Germany is different from the program I completed in 1997. I completed the German Academy’s (ADFD) two year program that was delivered over about 12 weekends…about every two months. It also required coaching hours at a local club (documented) and a written thesis.

I think the AAI course is similar to the USFCA Annual Conference…..but it’s longer….about 5-6 days. It is a series of lectures, demonstrations, and practical hands on sessions with a variety of guest instructors. At the end of the course, coaches are invited to take the AAI certification exams (Prevôt or Maître)…I don’t think they even bother with the Moniteur exam.

The major difference from the CC is that the coaches don’t enter the program at different levels (L1-L4). You go into the course and by the end of the week you determine which exam you should take….in this respect, they give you credit for prior experience and training. If you past the Master’s practical exam….a written thesis is required within a designated time period.

In recent years, the AAI has incorporated more artistic fencing (stage combat)….so sport fencing coaches beware…you may need to participate in some of these courses and may be required to demonstrate knowledge of this type of fencing to pass the exam…I’m not sure. I know the AAI now offers a Masters diploma in Artistic fencing….and single weapon masters/prevot certification…the USFCA now does the same for single weapon certifications….but does not have an artistic (stage combat) certification….we let the fight directors handle that one.

…..can this be duplicated here in the USA? As I said, the AAI course is most like the current USFCA Annual conference….but it’s a few days longer….I think the quality of the presentations would be about the same…considering that the USFCA is now pulling in the national coaches like Ed Korfanty, Les Stawicki, and Mike Pederson.

Like any program, it needs people to manage it and set up the courses, papaerwork, and the venue….these people should be paid for their time….some organization needs to devote some resources to this effort. As I said in the past, the USFCA runs on volunteer power. The venue needs to be provided. Here in the USA the course fees rarely cover the rental of the venue....so private clubs have been hosting and providing the space for free. The registration fees usually cover the travel and honorariums for the instructors....with the USFCA kicking in on any shortfall.

In Germany, the AAI course and the ADFD course are run by Mike Bunke and his wife Regina Faust (both Fechtmeisters). I don’t really know how they are financed. The venue is provided by the host hotel and they charge a lot more for the course in Germany than the USFCA does for the Annual Conference....I suspect travel costs for the instructors are less since airline tickets may not be involved.

[MdA]

Correction: After checking the website...it appears that the AAI course gives the Animateur and the Moniteur exams......so.....something for everyone.

Animateur is like an Assistant Instructor.

[MdA]

Wes Glon is the BOD Liaison for the Coaches College. I am not sure about the role of the new “BOD Liaison”. In the past, the Coaches College director reported to one of the VPs.

Someone should talk to Wes this weekend in Milwaukee. I don’t think Wes hangs out on f.net.