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New book published: ‘Coaches’ Corner’
7th November 2024
Essays to help sports coaches and P.E. teachers. My latest book, ‘Coaches’ Corner,’ is now available to buy on Amazon. It contains over 50 essays about athletic development, coaching, and physical education based on my work over the last ten years as Head Coach of Excelsior Athletic Development Club. How and what I’ve coached has […]
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Sabre fencing camp

Sabre camp

sabre fitnessIt was good to be back on the James and Ian Williams’ sabre camp in Grantham, working with very experienced coaches, Army PTIs and an excellent physiologist (Leo Faulmann). 

The fencers were very responsive to the speed warm ups and jumping sessions I did with them. On a busy camp, where our job is to facilitate the fencing experience, our aim was to measure the fencers, but also educate and teach them about correct fitness training.

It was interesting to see the multi bound and jump test: the lack of co-ordination and also leg strength did limit the results. This was also apparent in the multi-direction agility test. The fencers were good at lunging into the movement, but less good at getting out of it.

Improving fencing power and agility

fencing flexibilityMy approach was to show them how to jump, land and then explode again with 2 legs, then with 1 leg. Vertically, linearly and laterally. Once the fundamentals are in place, then it is just a matter of working on co-ordination and timing to be able to apply it all.

As the camp progressed, so did the fencers’ leg stiffness: so we did some relaxing flexibility work outside on the grass.

On my last day I showed them the Oregon sway drill which starts with small lateral movements and progresses to big lunges and spins. This should help them with their movement into and out of the lunge.

This takes time and patience (on my part as a coach) and perseverance (from the fencers). I have to coach to the level of the person in front of me. Sabreurers are just as apt as other fencers at watching videos on youtube of “Italian pliometrics drills“, but they would fall apart if they tried that.

Start with correct mechanics, give them strengthening ideas, and then encourage them to practice.

Improving my coaching

gymnastics practiceI also had the chance to share many gymnastics ideas with Steve Chappell which was beneficial to me. Leo Faulmann was a goldmine of information and knowledge having worked with fencers for 25 years. That will prove very useful for fencers I work with at the SW fencing hub.

James, Ian and Dmitry Lapkes were all excellent at sharing their experiences and giving me feedback on whether I was going on the right lines or not. I am currently using bullet belts to help movement on the piste, so we had a trail and error play with these top coaches.

I spent a lot of time with individual fencers talking about their individual needs and ideas. It was very rewarding being able to help them in some small way. So thanks to everyone.

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Client Testimonials

Judith Hamer – GB Wheelchair Basketball, Paralympian
I have worked with James for three years now. James's attitude to training has changed my approach to my training session and sport making me more focussed and organised to get as much as I can out of each session. The improvements I have made with my fitness, core and my psychological approach to training have been largely down to my sessions with James
 
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