Decorative image

Coaching

RAFFU COACHING COURSE, 17-20 JUL 07

Reference:

A. PTC/299011/DSB(RAF) dated 12 Jan 07, JSP 752, Chap 4, Sect 1

 

Introduction

1. The Coaching Course will be held at DCAE Cosford on the 17-20 Jul 07. The following personnel will be attending the course:

Wg Cdr Dave Orme Epee DLO Bath

Flt Lt James Griffiths (ProjO) Foil RAF Honnington

Sgt Jules Batty-Smith Epee RMA Sandhurst

SAC James Downes Sabre CRC Boulmer

SAC Karen Funnell Foil RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey

SAC Ben Kerry Foil RAF Lossiemouth

SAC Al Reynolds Foil RAF Leeming

SAC Dean Whitehead Foil RAF Aldergrove

 

Mr Thomas Russell Sabre Eton College

Mr Matthew Chivers Sabre

Course Details

2. The course is to be run by Mr. David Kirby of British Fencing and will consist of 4 days coaching training, Tuesday through to Friday. All personnel are to be ready to start at 0830hrs on Tuesday in the wooden gym at the Home for Sport, DCAE Cosford. The course will be Level 1 for the chosen weapon and all personnel attending are to ensure that they have the necessary equipment, including a suitable coaching plastron. All personnel are to ensure that they have stationery for making notes and for examinations. Personal reference books can also be used throughout the course and Mr. Kirby will bring some of his own collection along for use throughout.

 

3. It may be that on certain evenings you will travel to civilian clubs in order to practice your newly learned coaching skills on some unsuspecting fencers. If this is the case then details will be provided by David Kirby on Tuesday. Transport to be arranged by those with service transport.

 

4. On successful completion of the course all students will hold the England Fencing Level 1 Coaching Award in their respective weapon. However, in order to receive the certificate, individuals will have to contact England Fencing direct to arrange a CRB check and ensure that examination fees have been paid. Also, all those wanting a certificate will have to be members of British Fencing.

 

5. The basic daily routine will be as follows:

 

  • 0830 start
  • 1000-1030 NAAFI break
  • 1200-1300 Lunch Break
  • 1500-1515 Tea break
  • 1630-1830 Break for evening meal
  • 2030 Finish (Gym open until 2130 for additional practice/revision)

 

Administration

6. All personnel have been booked into their respective messes. Junior Ranks and the civilian students will be accommodated in the Home for Sport. I do not intend to order packed lunches for the course as I expect that students will want to get out of the gym for lunch and there should be ample time to eat in various messes.

 

7. This course is recognized by the RAF Sports Board as one of the official 5 Day Courses. As such, travel authority has been granted for all those attending the course. When claiming travel authority, personnel are to quote Reference A.

 

8. Personal contributions will be £50, the rest will be subsidizing by RAFFU. Personal contributions can be recouped using Standard Learning Credits by quoting Reference A.

9. The Project Officer for the course is Flt Lt James Griffiths. The RAFFU coaching-coordinator will not be attending so all queries should now be directed to Flt Lt Griffiths, RAF Honington, 95991x7949, mobile number on request from webmaster@raffencing.co.uk

G H Hart

Fg Off

RAFFU Coaching Coordinator

RAFFU PERFORMANCE COURSE AND TEAM MATCH, 7 – 10 JUN 07

Introduction

1. The Performance Course is designed to enhance the performance of the RAF team in preparation for the Inter-Services Championships beginning on the 25 Jun. Paul Neil-MacLachlan has designed the course and David Kirby will assist on Thursday and Friday. Maximum attendance by all RAFFU members is encouraged, but it is mandatory for those selected for the Inter-Services Squad, except where Service reasons prevail.

2. The Wrekin Team Match is an opportunity to practise team fencing and will take place on the Sunday as a 6-weapon event. Naturally, we probably wont have full teams for each weapon so there will be doubling up and I expect the women to be teams of 2.

Course Details

3. The course will run from 0900-1700 each day with a break for packed lunches. The course program has not yet been finalized but will be emailed early next week when I have received it. Needles to say, it will be a hard workout and fencers should be prepared. Please bring your own weapon specific equipment and remember that if you have been asked to fence a different weapon from normal then you will need to practise!

4. Fencers can expect to receive at least 2 individual lessons throughout the course from either Paul Neil-MacLachlan or David Kirby in their preferred weapon.

5. On Sunday there will be a warm-up and footwork session before the Wrekin match with tactical coaching on hand throughout.

Administration

6. All personnel have been booked into their respective messes. Junior Ranks will be accommodated in the Home for Sport. Packed lunches have been organized by DOC (Admin).

7. Travel authority has been granted for all those attending the course and Wrekin match. When claiming travel authority, personnel are to quote Reference A.

8. Due to the high level of coaching that will be on offer and the number of lessons that individuals will receive, the personal contributions are £10 per day, so £40 if you attend all 4 days. DOC (Admin) will collect the money off individuals during the course.

9. Please contact the undersigned if there are any questions regarding the course. I look forward to seeing you all there.

G H Hart
Fg Off
RAFFU Coaching Coordinator

The RAFFU Coach has organised 2 major projects for the coming year; the pre-Inter Service performance training will take place from the 6 - 10 Jun at DCAE Cosford, and there will be a coach training course to bring all budding Club Leaders and coaches up to Level 1 Coach at a single weapon.

Names and availability will be collected at the Seniors, alternatively contact the webmaster here .

To start the ball rolling, here is some video from me, the RAFFU Captain with my ideas on how to improve flexibility and coordination for those all important fencing matches. My apologies for the poor quality of the video, but the original was taken on a camera phone and it has taken a LOT of effort to get it to a passable quality that is watchable. The file is also quite large (4Mb), so unless you have a broadband connection it may take some time to download. Enjoy though!

The New Pre-Season Warm-up Exercises