| Accreditation
Fencing
coaching accreditation is granted under the auspices of The
Fencing Academy-l'Academie d'Escrime and the Australian Academy of
Fencing, affiliated with the Academie d'Armes Internationale. Full
accreditation requires the successful completion of all 3 modules
(Theory/General Coaching Principles, Technical/Sport Specifics
& Practical modules) at each level, viz. :
Levels 0 and 1
are designed for the classroom / gymnasium as an introduction to foil fencing. The higher levels of accreditation are
designed around the individual lesson and are intended
for the training of the professional fencing coach, requiring
years of study into the intricacies of each discipline (foil, epee
and sabre). Like the previous
levels, levels 2 & 3 require the successful completion of a
theory component (sport sciences), and then a technical component
(application of the sport sciences to the sport-specifics of
fencing coaching) and finally a practical period to reinforce and
develop these newly aquired fencing coaching skills. Details of the requirements
of each level are listed at the links above.
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Level
0 Instructor (Class Instruction) ASSOCIATE OF THE ACADEMY
The
introduction to fencing often occurs in primary schools, in the form of
class instruction. The primary school teacher/instructor requires to know the
sport-specifics of group fencing instruction. Then, after a practical period of training (teach
4 classes) and after being successfully assessed, the candidate is eligible for accreditation at
that level. The syllabus for MUSKETEER fencing is here: AAF
Musketeer Fencing Syllabus.
Pre-requisite:
Fencing proficiency - completion of the AAF bronze certificate or
equivalent standard.
This course
involves 22 hours of hours of teacher training.
| THEORY |
General
Coaching Principles (8 hours) |
| Note: |
Practicing
and registered teachers are exempt from this level of
theory having already covered this material in their
teacher training. |
| Texts: |
You're
the Coach - Level 1 N.C.AS.
Coaching Theory Manual - Level 1 N.C.C.P. |
| Assignment: |
Design
(4) class plans for the orientation/introduction of foil
fencing. |
| TECHNICAL |
Sport
Specific (8 hours) |
| Text: |
En
Garde! A manual on the sport, instruction and
administration of FENCING |
| Assignment: |
Describe
the biomechanics along with the teaching implications
involved with teaching the fundamental fencing skills: en
garde position, advance, retreat, lunge, and distance
fencing. Design a learn-to-fence (foil) class plan complete
with aspects of warm-up, teaching technique through
imitation, fencing distance through footwork and
whole-part-whole learning principles. |
| PRACTICAL |
Coaching
Application (6 hours) |
| Assignment: |
Instruct
(4) orientation/introduction foil fencing.classes. |
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Level
1 INSTRUCTOR/ MONITOR OF THE ACADEMY
The
introduction to fencing occurring in secondary schools, in the form of
class instruction. The secondary school teacher/instructor requires to know the
sport-specifics of group fencing instruction and have a ctireria
for assessment. After a practical period of training (teach 8
classes) and after being successfully assessed, the candidate is eligible for accreditation at
that level. The syllabus for Bronze level of fencing proficiency
is here: AAF
Proficience Awards Syllabus.
Pre-requisite
: Fencing proficiency - completion of bronze fencing
proficiency or equivalent standard.
This course
involves 28 hours of teacher training.
| THEORY |
General
Coaching Principles (8 hours) |
| Texts: |
Your
the Coach - Level 1 N.C.A.S.
Coaching Theory Manual - Level 1 N.C.C.P. |
| Assignment: |
Design
a learn-to-fence course of instruction. |
| TECHNICAL |
Sport
Specific (8 hours) |
| Text: |
En
Garde! A manual on the sport, instruction and
administration of FENCING |
| Assignment: |
Design
a sport-specific learn-to-fence club training program. Include both class
instruction and a series of individual foil lessons
including aspects of warm-up, whole-part-whole and project
learning principles, and examples of sport-specific
pedagogical linkages. |
| Paper: |
Respond
in writing to the assumption that Every kid is fascinated
by the thought of swords and swordfighting - then why are
there so few, fencers? and as Coaches, what can be done to
help remedy this situation? |
| PRACTICAL |
Coaching
Application (12 hours) |
| Assignment: |
Instruct
learn-to-fence course (bronze award) through class
instruction. (8 classes - 90min/classes).
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Level
2 COACH
/ Individual Lessons - PREVOT D'ARMES OF THE ACADEMY
Successful
competitive fencing cannot be taught entirely through class
instruction. It is essential to create sport-specific situations
while examining the associated physiological sensations and
psychological thought that accompanies successful performance.
This can realistically only be achieved in the form of the
individual lesson. The silver level criteria ensures the student
will be given individual instruction and obliges schools to either
establish a club-type format or direct students to the closest
fencing club. This school-to-club link is essential for successful
sport growth and development.
Pre-requisite:
Fencing proficiency - minimum of State/Provincial finalist (top8)
ranking or equivalent standard and a minimum of three years
competition experience. This course is concerned with the
individual lesson: Advanced Foil, Basic Epee and Basic Sabre.
| THEORY |
General
Coaching Principles |
| Texts: |
Towards
Better Coaching - Level 2 N.C.A.S.
Coaching Theory Manual - Level 2 N.C.C.P. |
| Assignment: |
Design
a general / seasonal training program |
| TECHNICAL |
Sport
Specific |
| Texts: |
En
Garde! The Serious Fencers' Training Diary. |
| Individual
Lesson: |
Advanced
Foil, Basic Epee and Sabre |
| Assignment: |
Design
a sport-specific (State/Provincial) seasonal training
program that incorporates the physiological, technical,
psychological and tactical components of fencing. |
| PRACTICAL |
Coaching
Application |
| Continually
coach over three seasons: |
| i. |
Give
a minimum of 100 lessons (60 of which must be foil
lessons). |
| ii. |
Coach
a student (from beginner) to a State/Provincial finalist
standard. |
| Assessment: |
A
formal examination by a Board of 3-5 practicing,
professionally accredited
Maitre d'Armes, internationally recognised by
the Academie d'Armes Internationale. |
| ACADEMY
Assessment: |
The
candidate must be assessed as being within the top third
percentage 33.3% of
excellence and therefore achieve a pass mark above 66.6%.
This standard must be achieved in all weapons. The
examination cannot be retaken in the same calendar
year.
Present
a thesis supporting a specialization within the fencing
coaching profession.
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Level
3 COACH - MAITRE D'ARMES OF THE ACADEMY
Pre-requisite:
Personal fencing proficiency - minimum of National finalist (top8)
ranking or equivalent standard and a minimum of 5 years
competition experience. This course is concerned with the
individual lesson: Advanced Foil, Advanced Epee and Advanced Sabre.
The candidate coach will be required to submit their assignment at
the presentation of the examination. The assignment for the level
3 coach is: Design a yearly training program that incorporates the
sport-specific physiological, technical, psychological and
tactical components of fencing, complete with periodic testing,
minimum standards and goals in each component area.
| THEORY |
General
Coaching Principles |
| Text: |
Coaching
Theory Manual - Level 3 N.C.C.P. and/or Diploma/Degree in
Sport Sciences. |
| Assignment: |
Within
the theory (physiological) area, the level 3 candidate will be
required to carry out time and motion studies to
determine exactly how to apply and physiologically train,
specific to the times and motion statistics found in elite
fencing competition. Within the theory (psychological)
area, develop pre-competition (off-site and on-site) and
competition strategy planning. |
| TECHNICAL |
Sport
Specific |
| Text: |
En
Garde! The serious fencer's training diary. |
| Assignment: |
Work
with a practicing professionally accredited Maitre d'Armes, internationally recognised
by the Academie d'Armes Internationale over 3 seasons. Within the TECHNICAL
component, the level 3 candidate coach will be required to
carry out TECHNICAL and TACTICAL studies to determine
which moves and their priorities, and which tactics and
their priorities, are successfully used in elite fencing
competition. |
| PRACTICAL |
Coaching
Application |
| Continually
coach (supervised) over 5 seasons. |
| i. |
Give
a minimum of 100 lessons in each weapon. |
| ii. |
Coach
a student (from beginner) to a national final (top 8)
ranking or equivalent standard. |
| Within
the PRACTICAL component, the level 3 candidate coach will
be required to maintain a record of all individual lessons
and practical activities performed by the coach during
this period of training. The use of video recording as a
training aid, and transmitted audio ( the coach able to talk
to the student while the student trains/fences) can also
be used as recommended forms of feedback. |
| Assessment: |
A
formal examination by a Board of 3-5 practicing
professionally accredited
Maitre d'Armes, internationally recognised by the Academie
d'Armes Internationale. |
| ACADEMY
Assessment: |
The
candidate must be assessed as being within the top 25% of
excellence and therefore achieve a pass mark above 75%.
This standard must be consistent in all weapons. The
examination cannot be retaken in the same calendar year.
Present
a master's thesis supporting a specialization within the
fencing coaching profession. The thesis may continue from the candidates
Prevot thesis, or it may be in a completely different
speciality.
The
examination procedure for both: Provot d'Armes
and Maitre d'Armes are the same, the difference
lies in the pass mark that reflects:
- at
Prevot, having achieved a professionally acceptable
level of entry into the profession, and at
- Maitre,
having achieved recognition as a specialist within the
profession.
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