Coaching Clinics, Training, and Coaching Certification

The noble privilege of the Fencing Master is to defend and enhance the prestige, passion and poetry of the sword, and instill them into the heart and mind of the pupil. While he must be able to treat adequately the spiritual side of the art, his aim and toil is to demonstrate the architectural beauty of the science and the harmonious simplicity of its laws. Only by complete devotion to his profession will he accomplish his duty – to help fencing retain and expand its honored place among the more worth-while activities of mankind.

Are you a fencer who would like to become a coach? Are you already teaching classes or giving lessons, but would like to improve your coaching skills? PVFA offers coaching training at our club and around the New England area.

Training at PVFA:

If you are close to PVFA and would like to become a fencing coach or improve your coaching skills, contact us and we can help. Depending on your needs, we can arrange anything from a few coaching lessons to long term training.

The Assistant Moniteur Certification: Teenage fencers can train for certification as USFCA Assistant Moniteurs at PVFA in foil, epee, or saber. The ideal candidate must be a PVFA member and will have at least two years of fencing experience, a record of success in competition, excellent organizational skills, an aptitude for coaching and a willingness to put in the extra effort. Students will be required to help teach the Youth class, study written materials, pass a written examination, and pass a practical examination for certification. The whole process usually takes about six months. The certification looks good on college applications and (so far) all of the students that we've certified have later been hired at PVFA to help teach our summer classes. See the USFCA website for details about the Assistant Moniteur certification process.

 

USFCA Clinics in New England:

John Krauss (far left) and Paul Sise (far right) at a clinic in Middlebury VT.

Fencing Master Paul Sise co-teaches clinics with John Krauss of the Down East School of Fencing in Maine. Clinics are usually offered each spring and fall in and are advertised on Askfred. These are excellent opportunities to receive high quality coaching education in New England, especially for those coaches who are not associated with the large clubs in the Boston area. The practical examination for USFCA certification as a Moniteur is available from Paul and John at these clinics for USFCA members who have already passed the written exam.

Hosting the Clinic: There are benefits to being the club that hosts the clinic. As the host club, you get to help determine the date of the clinic as well as the material that will be presented. Also, you and your coaches will not have to travel far or stay in a hotel, which makes it more convenient and less expensive for you. If you would like to host a clinic please contact Paul Sise or John Krauss.Click here for clinic testimonials. See the USFCA website for details about the Moniteur certification process.

Previous Clinics were held for:

The Down East School of Fencing in Skowhegan, ME

Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy in Easthampton, MA

Vermont Fencing Alliance in Middlebury, VT

ICONN Fencing Club in Wallingford, CT

 

Upcoming Clinics:

Moniteur Developmental Clinic - March 10th and 11th at Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. This clinic will focus on the basic elements of fencing coaching and will prepare attendees to pass the USFCA Moniteur practical exam. The Moniteur exam will be offered in Foil and Epee at the end of the clinic. Those wishing additional time to practice may take the Moniteur practical exam during the weekend of the Prevot Developmental Clinic on April 21st. This clinic will be taught by Fencing Master Paul Sise and Prevot Ken Mondschein. Click here to register for this clinic on Askfred.

Prevot Developmental Clinic - April 21st and 22nd at Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. This clinic will include integrating tactics into lessons (including preparations and several forms of second intention) and giving lessons that progress smoothly from simple to complex. Coaches will learn and practice the Training Lesson (AKA Options Lesson) format used in the Prevot practical examination. This clinic is strongly recommended for coaches who have attended previous clinics with John and Paul. The Moniteur practical exam will be offered in Foil, Epee, and Saber the evening of April 21st. This clinic will be taught by Fencing Master Paul Sise and Prevot John Krauss. Click here to register for this clinic on Askfred.

 

 

Clinic Topics:

The following topics are available in our clinics. Generally, a two day clinic will include at most six to eight of these topics, as well as time set aside for the clinic attendees to practice the material and receive feedback from the instructors.

Basic Armoring

The Business of Fencing (tips for running profitable club)

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