Classical Academy of Arms

Instructional Skills Updated

2012-01-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

Our instructional skills list (the basis for our courses) has been updated at http://classicalacademyofarms.org/instructionalskills.html. We are now working to make certain that all of our skills and the instructional objectives tied to them tie to standards in the domains of the National Coaching Standards published by AAHPER. The National Coaching Standards are the closest thing the United States has to a national approach to coaching, and making certain that our instruction fits with the standards is important to the quality and credibility of our program.

Rebuild of Our Courses

2011-09-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

We are in the midst of a complete rebuild of our courses to make the progression from Classical Fencing Demonstrator to Classical Fencing Master a cleaner progression with relatively equal amounts of new knowledge and skills required. Watch for a new page on our coaching skills and knowledge matrix on the website.

New Articles

2010-07-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

Just added to the knowledge base list of articles: Tea Tray Bouts For Classical Fencing, Three Weapon Fencing Bouts, Countertime Fencing Actions Classified, Customs and Courtesies in the Fencing Club, and Teaching Sayings For Fencers.

Articles Added

2010-07-06T04:02:00.000-07:00

We have established a new page for short articles (which we publish at ezinearticles.com) to start to develop a broader knowledge base for classical fencing. New articles will be added on a regular basis.

Bayonet Fencing Training at Salle Green

2009-12-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

Our host salle, Salle Green, will start bayonet training on Wednesday, 23 December, with a short session from 6:00 - 6:30 pm.

Simple Footwork Sets (2):

2009-08-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

The second set of footwork exercises:

(first) 10 repetitions twice a day:

Retreat
Advance
Advance
Retreat

(second) 20 repetitions twice a day:

Advance
Extend straight thrust
Lunge
Backward recovery

Note that this is not a modern advance-lunge, but rather an advance with the lunge delivered as a reaction to an opponent's action (or unexpected lack thereof).

Simple Footwork Sets (1):

2009-08-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

Good footwork results from constant, disciplined practice. This builds muscle memory and helps the fencer automate footwork responses so that he or she no longer needs to think about footwork, but can move smoothly based on the requirements of the bout. Each week we will be offering a new set of training footwork to help improve performance. So for the first week:

(First) 20 repetitions twice a day:

Advance
Retreat
Retreat
Advance

(Second) 10 repetitions twice a day:

Extend straight thrust
Lunge
Backward recovery

Insignia for Classical Academy of Arms student Skills Ranks

2009-07-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Students participating in the Academy's skills program taught by certified instructors may wear a sleeve patch 1 inch above the end of the sleeve of the non-weapon arm. These patches are white with red embroidery:

Ranks 1 through 3: one to three horizontal red fencing swords below the letters CF followed by the rank number.

Ranks 4 through 6: one to three horizontal red fencing swords (one for Rank 4, two for Rank 5, three for Rank 6) below the letters CF followed by the rank number, the whole surrounded by a red rectangular border.

Ranks 7 through 9: one to three horizontal red fencing swords (one for Rank 7, two for Rank 8, three for Rank 9) below the letters CF followed by the rank number, the whole surrounded by a red wreath.

Current Status of Classical Academy of Arms Skills Program

2009-07-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

An update for everyone on the current status of the Academy's skills program. This program is designed to be used by Academy certified instructors in their Salles or clubs to provide a plan for fencer development, both in terms of technique and of knowledge. This is a 9 rank program.

Skills requirements for Ranks 1 through 9 have been defined and have been available and in use since 2005.

Knowledge requirements for Ranks 1 through 9 have been defined and have been available and in use since 2005.

Student study materials and written tests are complete for Ranks 1 through 8. The Rank 9 study materials are approximately 50 percent complete, with a target date of 1 August 2009.

Arm patches are in stock for Ranks 2 through 5.

Rank 8 Study Materials Completed

2009-06-29T11:34:00.001-07:00

For those using the Classical Academy of Arms ranking system for students, the Rank 8 study handout has been completed. We expect to have the written test complete this week. This leaves only the Rank 9 and Master at Arms study guides to be completed.

Master Arms Badge Program

2009-05-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

Draft criteria for the Master At Arms Badge is posted on the Classical Academy of Arms website. Our comment period will extend for the remainder of the month, after which we will revise as needed and go final.

Master At Arms Badge Program

2009-05-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

We are currently working on a Master at Arms Badge program to recognize individuals who as classical instructors or classical fencers demonstrate excellent technique in multiple weapons. The classical period was distinguished by fencing with foil, sabre, dueling sword (epee), singlestick, and bayonet. Obviously, no standards exist for singlestick or bayonet play that can provide the safe environment created by current Federation International d'Escrime regulations. However, the use of these weapons can be studied safely, even if full contact play is not possible. The final design of the program is still in the works, but tentatively it would require qualification in either dueling sword or sabre at the Rank 9 skill level or as a Classical Fencing Instructor, combined with demonstration of technique in either single stick or bayonet.

Changes In Rank Requirements

2006-11-12T14:39:00.000-08:00

Because other fencing coaching organizations have removed requirements for first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation qualification from their qualifications, the Academy is also deleting the requirement for our training ranks. We believe that appropriate first aid knowledge, training, and certification is valuable for classical instructors. However, we have no effective way to monitor the first aid certification status of our members, and we are concerned that the requirement may be misinterpreted as a guarantee of ability to perform first aid in a crisis. We are a fencing instructional organization, and it is probably best if we focus on what we know best as the basis for our ranks.

Apprentice Instructor Program

2006-07-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

There appears to be a need for an Apprentice program for those interested in instructing but who are not yet ready for the indepth work that even the Demonstrator level of our current Instructor Program requires. We are working on a self-study program that could be used in conjunction with a mentor. Any ideas on specific needs would be welcomed.