Remerciez-le!

Remerciez @Admin pour avoir partagé cet document gratuitement, de la manière la plus simple, en partageant sur les réseaux sociaux.

USFA Parent Guide PARENT GUIDE TO FENCING For parents and fencers Presented by

USFA Parent Guide PARENT GUIDE TO FENCING For parents and fencers Presented by Catherine Marchand Linda Merritt CO-CHAIRS – USFA PARENT COMMITTEE USFA Parent Guide ii October 25, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS FENCING FOR PARENTS 101.......................................................................................1 PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................................2 SELECTING A COACH...................................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITION .............................................................................3 SET REALISTIC, ATTAINABLE GOALS.........................................................................3 AVOID DISTRACTIONS..................................................................................................4 EQUIPMENT ...................................................................................................................4 WASHING EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................5 PARENTAL BEHAVIOR ..................................................................................................5 EDUCATE YOURSELF ...................................................................................................6 BE PREPARED TO WAIT! ..............................................................................................6 THINGS YOU SHOULD AVOID AT TOURNAMENTS ....................................................8 THINGS YOU CAN DO WHEN AT A TOURNAMENT ....................................................8 DIVISION/SECTION AND YOUTH REGIONAL EVENTS ...............................................9 MOVING ON TO NORTH AMERICAN CIRCUITs (NACs)/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ..........................................................................................................9 PREDEPARTURE CHECKLIST....................................................................................10 THE NIGHT BEFORE COMPETITION..........................................................................11 TOURNAMENT DAY.....................................................................................................11 PRESENTATION OF THE FINALISTS .........................................................................12 DOPING CONTROL......................................................................................................13 BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES FOR UNACCOMPANIED FENCERS..................................15 DON’T FOCUS ON A CLASSIFICATION......................................................................16 MAXIMIZING THE EXPERIENCE.................................................................................16 GRIEVANCES...............................................................................................................16 CAMPS..........................................................................................................................16 LAST MINUTE ESSENTIALS........................................................................................17 INFORMATION SOURCES AND OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES ..................................17 GLOSSARY...................................................................................................................18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................................................18 USFA Parent Guide iii October 25, 2002 This page intentionally left blank USFA Parent Guide 1 October 25, 2002 INTRODUCTION This guide was prepared by the Co-Chairs of USFA Parent Committee to provide clarity and current information. Our combined "fencing life" of over thirty years reflects an array of experiences in the sport. We started driving our children to lessons when they were young, accompanied them to local and national tournaments as they grew, and volunteered in a variety of areas within fencing. This guide was created to help parents navigate the competitive aspects of fencing, whether local, regional or national and try to avoid pitfalls. The basics remain constant, but we will update this guide, as new information becomes available. The data in this handbook is advisory. The Parent Committee is an information committee; it does not make policy. We are however, always interested in your comments and insights. We can direct your questions and concerns to the appropriate individual or committee. Our email addresses are located at the back of this guide. The Parent Committee holds informational meetings during the season, primarily at Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals. FENCING FOR PARENTS 101 A family membership in the USFA is strongly encouraged. Parents are children’s best advocates. Membership in USFA allows you to have a voice on behalf of your child. In addition, you will receive the quarterly American Fencing Magazine and USFA national newsletters. Membership will place you on the mailing list for Division competition schedules. The relationship between athlete and coach can become very strong, but the parent is the last word when it comes to parenting. The coach is the last word when it comes to fencing. Start your child in group lessons. Group lessons enable your child to learn the basics in a fun, non-pressure environment. Make sure fencing is something your child wishes to pursue on a long-term basis before seeking private instruction. Fencing should enhance your child’s development; maintain an open attitude to all fencing opportunities in your area. The cost of fencing can be very reasonable. Disabuse yourself of financial advantage; i.e., scholarships, endorsements, etc. This is a different kind of investment. The goal of fencing is intrinsic to fencing. USFA Parent Guide 2 October 25, 2002 PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES First and foremost, get your child to the club to train regularly. School obligations come first, so utilize school holidays for maximizing training opportunities. Training two months a year at a camp will yield very limited results. A consistent training curriculum is strongly encouraged. [Author’s note: Some young athletes may become so enamored of fencing that it eclipses all other activities including academics. While we appreciate the dedication and satisfaction the sport may bring the child, this can impinge on the child’s future academic success] Ensure that your child has a small snack before training and takes a water bottle to the club. Be careful about weight training before it’s appropriate age-wise. Consult with your child’s doctor before starting any rigorous training program. Over training for short periods of time followed by long periods of less or no training is certain to result in injury. Have realistic expectations of your child’s ability. Don’t rush into competition until his or her training is well under way; then start fencing locally. Until your child is consistently finishing well in local and regional competitions, he/she is not ready for national tournaments. It’s easy to get caught up in any success your child may have. Be careful not to impose your goals for success onto your child. Your child is the athlete, not you. Your child’s coach may require your child to keep a training notebook. While it is not your responsibility, you may want to gently encourage your child to record information so as not to become a source of aggravation; do not, however, be tempted to perform this task for your child. Keeping these records for oneself and thinking about what they mean is the point of the activity, not just filling up a notebook. It is not necessary to purchase Federation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE) equipment for your child. Some coaches will not even allow fencers to own a weapon until they have “earned” it. Do buy the best mask available. Masks are expensive, but safety is paramount. A mask and glove are the best starter gear! Birthdays, holidays and special events are excellent times to add to your child’s equipment. A parent’s primary purpose at a tournament is to support your child. That means you are your child’s mode of transport, a “gofer” and “the mobile ATM machine.” (The fencer’s primary function is to focus on his/her event, fence to the best of his/her ability and HAVE FUN. REMEMBER THIS: Chauffeur, gofer, and credit card holder. USFA Parent Guide 3 October 25, 2002 SELECTING A COACH Teaching styles vary, as do personalities, so when searching for a private instructor, make sure you and your fencer are comfortable with the particular methodologies of the selected coach. Selecting a coach may not be an easy process. If you are attached to a club or live in an area that has limited fencing opportunities, your selection may be a fait accompli. However, if you live in an area with a larger number of fencing options you should consider the various possibilities to determine the best coach for your child. This does not necessarily mean an Olympic level coach, but rather a coach who will work well with your child. A coach should instill good training habits, model fair play and expect good behavior on and off the strip. You and your child should feel comfortable speaking with the coach about problems, concerns and goals. Make sure your child feels truly comfortable with the style of coaching. Children react differently to different styles. What works for one child may not work for yours, or even a second child in your own family. Your fencer may be comfortable with lessons, but in the heat of competition a fragile relationship can fracture. Your child should NEVER be subjected to abuse (verbal, emotional, or physical) as a route to success on the strip. Open communication is essential, but parents should always keep things on a professional basis. A good coach is often an extension of the "parenting process" and may have a profound effect on your child. You must feel sufficiently comfortable with that person to allow him or her to have that effect. In addition, do not feel pressured by a coach to put your child into high-level competition before he or she is ready. Coaches can sometimes become overzealous; athletes competing too early at high levels may experience burnout. Consider your personal finances as well. If it will be too much of a strain on your financial situation to attend a particular competition or send your child to a distant camp, say No. Don't make sacrifices before you need to. INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITION SET REALISTIC, ATTAINABLE GOALS Your fencer should work with his/her coach to create a list of goals. These should include: Short term Goals for current competitive season Long term Your fencer should not expect to have immediate success. The most robust advances are made in small, consistent increments. Small victories lead to large triumphs. Start your child’s competitive experience locally. If it’s drivable within 4 hours, it’s local. After that, it’s a personal choice. USFA Parent Guide 4 October 25, 2002 Many clubs offer intramural events and various divisions offer novice tournaments for fencers with less than two year’s competitive experience. Communicate with your child’s coach about which local tournaments are most appropriate for the age-level and development of the child. Children’s temperaments vary. Some children may prefer to do only local competition, while others “hanker for the bright lights.” Let your child dictate his/her comfort level. Make sure you have your division’s tournament schedule. This should be in your division’s newsletter. You will be on the division mailing list if you are a USFA member. Read your newsletter for important information regarding division tournaments. Entry fees, pre-registration requirements, time of events, etc. should be readily available. You may also be able uploads/Voyage/ parent-guide-1.pdf