The USFCA Northeast Regional Clinic held at Concord Fencing Club, May 4th and 5th 2019.
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"Thanks to both Paul and John for running such a fantastic coaching clinic. Both the veteran and novice coaches who attended learned a lot, and it was extremely beneficial to see how they employed different coaching tactics and strategies. The clinic was advanced enough to challenge the more experienced coaches, while still being completely accessible to those just starting out. The clinic provided both theoretical and practical assistance in teaching the sport of fencing, and I have already begun incorporating some of their suggestions and methods into my weekly lessons, with positive results. I personally enjoyed the clinic and I look forward to hosting another event in the future!"
-James Harris
Head Coach of ICONN Fencing
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Paul and John,
I wanted to thank you both again for such an excellent clinic. I really gained a lot from it, and I think my students will benefit greatly from the things I learned from you.
I particularly appreciated having the opportunity to discuss strategies for youth training. I find my youth class to be the most challenging, and you both gave me some great ideas. I look forward to future clinics. Thanks again.
James McClymonds
Foil and Epee Coach
Capital District Fencing School
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This was my first experience with any organized USFCA activities (although I
have been a member for over a year and have made use of the written
materials available on the website). It was a very positive experience and
left me inspired to continue improving my coaching practice and to undertake
the Prevot exam. John and Paul were supportive and professional. They
gave an excellent weekend clinic which was beneficial to all the participants.
They conducted my moniteur exam in a manner that was unobtrusive, not
intimidating, and yet efficient and organized. I especially enjoyed their
interview questions during the oral part of the exam. I felt the questions
they asked were straightforward and fair, but stimulating enough to test my
ability to discuss fencing and fencing pedagogy intelligently. Thank you to
John Krauss and Paul Sise for going out of their way to bring the first ever
USFCA clinic to Vermont, and for encouraging me to undergo the Moniteur
exam process.
Viveka Fox
Vermont Fencing Alliance head coach, and now Moniteur of foil.
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The USFCA Northeast Regional Clinic held at Concord Fencing Club, November 4th and 5th, 2017.
Overall, this was a very professionally run,
productive, and informative seminar, and I believe I speak for all attendees when I say that we
look forward to another.
Ken Mondschein
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Wang Yung's Saber Clinic at PVFA was a big surprise and a delight. Having been fencing for a long time, it was a surprise and a delight to find a new approach to well-established footwork techniques. Maitre Yung embodies the principle of "question everything", and seems to have revealed something important. I can't wait to try to figure out how to teach it to new fencers, and to convert existing fencers to new ways. Wang Yung is a rich source of in-depth understanding about fencing Saber. It was also a surprise and a delight to see well-established coaches working to absorb the new concepts and try them out themselves. Fencers and coaches alike were left with plenty of new ideas to process and plenty of things to try. As always Paul Sise was an excellent host.
Dave Brown Moniteur d'Escrime: Foil, Epee & Saber, USFCA
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From the Northeast Regional USFCA Clinic held at PVFA on April 29th and 30th, 2017:
The passion and dedication of the instructors was amazing. I learned a great deal of practical information that I can apply in my regular fencing instruction. Equally important, I got a deeper sense of how much more there is to learn, and a better understanding of how I can continue to develop my skills and knowledge in order to become a better fencing instructor and coach. A heartfelt "Thank you!" to Paul Sise, John Krauss, Bruce Gillman, and Wang Yung.
James Leland
Concord Fencing Club
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As a student, the true depth of knowledge on display was amazing, and I came away with great new info.
Emmet Moeykens
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The instructors were patient and genuinely cared about the students taking away all they could. New ideas were introduced which will serve to light the fires of imagination for my own lessons. While John and Paul made sure I had to know my stuff for my Prevot exam, they did a good job of setting my mind at ease, limiting my nervousness, and allowing me to show them that I could teach. They're a great support system for all of us aspiring to give better lessons and be better coaches. Thank you both!
Shawn Brooks
Concord Fencing Club
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productive, and informative seminar, and I believe I speak for all attendees when I say that we
look forward to another.
Ken Mondschein
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Wang Yung's Saber Clinic at PVFA was a big surprise and a delight. Having been fencing for a long time, it was a surprise and a delight to find a new approach to well-established footwork techniques. Maitre Yung embodies the principle of "question everything", and seems to have revealed something important. I can't wait to try to figure out how to teach it to new fencers, and to convert existing fencers to new ways. Wang Yung is a rich source of in-depth understanding about fencing Saber. It was also a surprise and a delight to see well-established coaches working to absorb the new concepts and try them out themselves. Fencers and coaches alike were left with plenty of new ideas to process and plenty of things to try. As always Paul Sise was an excellent host.
Dave Brown Moniteur d'Escrime: Foil, Epee & Saber, USFCA
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From the Northeast Regional USFCA Clinic held at PVFA on April 29th and 30th, 2017:
The passion and dedication of the instructors was amazing. I learned a great deal of practical information that I can apply in my regular fencing instruction. Equally important, I got a deeper sense of how much more there is to learn, and a better understanding of how I can continue to develop my skills and knowledge in order to become a better fencing instructor and coach. A heartfelt "Thank you!" to Paul Sise, John Krauss, Bruce Gillman, and Wang Yung.
James Leland
Concord Fencing Club
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As a student, the true depth of knowledge on display was amazing, and I came away with great new info.
Emmet Moeykens
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The instructors were patient and genuinely cared about the students taking away all they could. New ideas were introduced which will serve to light the fires of imagination for my own lessons. While John and Paul made sure I had to know my stuff for my Prevot exam, they did a good job of setting my mind at ease, limiting my nervousness, and allowing me to show them that I could teach. They're a great support system for all of us aspiring to give better lessons and be better coaches. Thank you both!
Shawn Brooks
Concord Fencing Club
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Northeast Regional USFCA Clinic December 4th and 5th, 2021, at Fairfield Fencing Academy
Sandra Marchant receives her Certificate of Attendance. Sandra also earned her Moniteur d'Epee at the clinic.
"John and Paul's clinic surpasses all others. They are not only skillful craftsmen, John and Paul are coachmakers... John is awesome. His background in social work makes him understand what students feel and think. He was very gentle and encouraged me past all my fears. John and Paul work in symbiosis. They complement each other's styles and alternate methods to provide a welcome change of pace even during the most taxing coaching sessions, making it feel easy! I have received all the personal attention i could have hoped for in addition to their coaching lessons and insights.
- Avery Anderson
NE Regional USFCA Clinic 2021
- Avery Anderson
NE Regional USFCA Clinic 2021
The USFCA NCDP clinic number 122 held on Oct 21 and 22 of 2023 at PVFA.
Comments from evaluation forms (used with permission):
"A very valuable and educational experience. I would very strongly recommend the clinic for anyone planning to begin teaching fencing."
"Not only did I learn and become comfortable with the training lesson I got to practice its versatility with all three weapons."
"Paul and John are enthusiastic workshop leaders and they made it a positive experience for all."
"Paul and John were both extremely helpful in adjusting their lessons to suit my individual experience level and needs. Thank you so much guys!"
"The quality of the material was top notch...like trying to eat 20 pounds of filet mignon."
"This clinic opportunity was more than I expected. John and Paul were very good presenters
and especially helpful as clinicians (professional) , and made the weekend a lot of fun as well.
Having instructed, coached, and taught fencing for many years, I do appreciate their
hard work and the new information they shared."
"Yet another great clinic at PVFA! Wang Yung didn't just provide some of the sabre drills that I was looking for to help improve my fencing and that of my sabre students. He introduced an entirely different philosophy of footwork and movement, applicable to to all three weapons and all age groups that will change my coaching and the fencers I work with for years to come."
"The coaches were extraordinarily knowledgeable as well as engaging and entertaining. I would go out of my way to attend additional seminars with these coaches (Paul and John)."
"A great learning experience. An inspiration!"
"This clinic was very insightful. I already have several ideas that I will immediately incorporate into my current coaching system."
"This clinic not only helped me increase my knowledge, but also with my level of confidence. I think that the coaches not only were 'good coaches' but also great human beings that shared their experience with warmth and passion for the sport."
"I had a great time here and the coaches made great accommodations for me and my needs."
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