What’s a fencing grasp?
In the USA, anybody can turn out to be a coach in any sport just by saying they’re one. There could also be limits on who will be employed as a coach, particularly in youth applications, however if you wish to be a coach, simply say you’re one, and presto…you’re one. That is very true in fencing, the place not solely is the time period “coach” used, but in addition the phrases “fencing grasp” and “maestro” are generally utilized by individuals who wish to be seen as specialists in educating fencing. sport and the preparation of athletes.
This confusion makes it necessary to know who a fencing grasp truly is and what {qualifications} this title requires. On the worldwide stage, the governing physique of the Olympic sport of fencing is the Worldwide Fencing Federation (FIE). The FIE acknowledges the Académie d’Armes Internationale (the AAI) because the worldwide group for skilled teaching. In flip, the IAA acknowledges nationwide teaching organizations. In the USA, the acknowledged skilled teaching group is the USA Fencing Coaches Affiliation (USFCA). The USFCA can be acknowledged by the game’s nationwide governing physique, the USA Fencing Affiliation.
This recognition observe is necessary as a result of the certifying physique for fencing masters in the USA is the USFCA. In case you maintain a level from the USFCA or one of many different nationwide academies acknowledged by the AAI, you’ll be able to legitimately name your self a master-at-arms (or master-at-arms).
So how does a fencing coach turn out to be a fencing grasp? In the USA, the USFCA certifies 4 ranges of coaches:
Assistant monitor. That is an entry stage place that qualifies a person to assist lead group lessons in a membership setting. The assistant teacher should have accomplished at the very least 20 hours of sensible instruction and cross a written examination and a sensible examination administered by a senior certified teacher or coach.
Monitor. The Monitor is the primary stage {of professional} coach. The instructors are educated to present group classes in a membership or to present particular person classes for newbies or intermediates. They have to cross a written examination on fencing guidelines, method and techniques, coaching strategies and security and threat administration, and provides a full lesson in a sensible examination supervised by two provosts or a grasp of arms.
Provost. A Provost is a completely certified coach able to getting ready superior college students for competitors by way of particular person instruction and coaching programs. The provost takes a extra demanding written examination that features fencing tactical and coaching idea, and a sensible examination that features educating, coaching, and warm-up classes. Prévot exams are supervised by two Fencing Masters.
Grasp of arms. A fencing grasp is ready to put together elite stage rivals and handle coaching applications and all actions of a fencing membership or corridor. They take a extra rigorous model of the sensible examination and full a thesis on a component of fencing idea, techniques, method or coaching. The grasp candidate is examined by three fencing masters.
Starting in 2009, the USFCA started certifying provosts and masters in single arms, an possibility that had all the time existed for instructors. Single-weapon provosts and fencing masters are totally certified to show a single weapon and cross the identical demanding sensible exams that sometimes final almost two hours. Nonetheless, provosts and full masters-at-arms should have demonstrated a excessive stage of proficiency in all three arms.
It’s a demanding course of that requires encyclopedic data, talent with the weapon, endurance and the willpower to succeed. Any master-at-arms licensed by the USFCA or one other nation’s nationwide academy is justifiably pleased with the accomplishment. Ask to see their diploma. I am proud to indicate mine to fencing college students, and I do not know of any legitimately licensed grasp who would hesitate to do the identical. When searching for a fencing coach, search for an authorized skilled who’s an Teacher, Provost or Fencing Grasp. You’ll be able to make certain that their abilities have been peer reviewed and judged to be of a stage that can assist you study to be a greater fencer.
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