Hints and tips for aspiring coaches

I'm pleased to say that there are a number of people wishing to get into coaching in my immediate area, including a couple of my students.
Here's a few hints and tips I have put together.

There are a number of aspects of being a coach that the aspiring candidate must master. First and foremost is the technical knowledge and application of the techniques of fencing. Secondly is the way a lesson is structured. Third is the coaches demeanour, bearing and style during the lesson itself, which can be summarise as the coaches’ personal impact. The first two aspects are taught to all coaches but the third is sometimes left for the coach to develop themselves. I have been coaching for over ten years now and here are some of the things I have learnt along the way. The list is not exhaustive and is not meant to be prescriptive. It is an attempt to share some learning for the benefit of all coaches and the sport.

General tips for controlling a class

It is important that the coach appears confident at all times therefore make sure you are familiar with the lesson you wish to give.
Understand how you are going to introduce the technique so that you start clearly and fluently.
Don’t just talk, but use body language to make your point clear.
If you are nervous about teaching a group, treat coaching as an ‘act’. This can help alleviate some of the fear that being in front of people can evoke.
Fencers will pick up on a coaches’ body language, therefore make sure your impression is enthusiastic and energetic.
Make sure everyone can hear you and raise the level of your voice if this is not the case. Your instructions must be clear and emphatic and leave no room for ambiguity. The class must realise that when you ask them to stop you mean it.
When demonstrating/explaining a technique position the class where you can see them and they can see you, ideally in a crescent or line. Do not have class members on both sides of you.
Avoid labouring an explanation, the class will learn more from doing it.
Make eye contact with your class as this helps reinforce confidence and you can gauge attention and understanding.
Have some stock phrases to re-focus attention when the class are talking amongst themselves and do not be afraid to bring them back under control

General tips for controlling a group lesson

Always choose the most capable student to act as a demonstration partner as this will make you look better and help the lesson run smoothly
When the group is practicing techniques stand where you can see all of them, a corner of the room for example. Try not to have your back to the class for long.
Keep an eye out for safety issues such as jackets that are undone, gloves not being worn, back straps not secured and gum chewing. Also be aware of class members waving foils around and pointing them at people who aren’t wearing masks. It is imperative that the coach be in control of all these issues and spotting a foil with no button will greatly reinforce the classes’ respect for a coach
When moving around the class be aware of the student’s movements and proximity to foils etc
If you spot an incorrect technique, observe a couple of repetitions before correction to make sure it is a consistent fault and you have diagnosed the flaw correctly
Do not spend a disproportionate amount of time on any one student or pair in group lessons; observe, correct and move on. You need to give the entire group equal correction where possible

Individual Lessons

Individual lessons are an opportunity to spend more time with a student, thus building up a rapport and working toward more complex moves. Time can be spent on technique and minor correction but the coach must still take pains to make their instructions and openings clear and un-ambiguous.

Managing Expectations
Do not expect mistakes to be corrected instantly. Often it will take many gentle corrections for a fencer to understand their error. Sometimes it can be a frustrating experience for a coach but if you leave a class or student with even a minor improvement you have done your job.