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The Pan American Fencing Academy Fencing Skills Development Program |
WHAT IS THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?
The Pan American Fencing Academy Fencing Skills Development Program:
Is a 5 Skill Level program (1 - Red, 2 - Blue, 3 - Bronze, 4 - Silver, 5 - Gold) designed to recognize the development of technical and tactical skill by fencers of all ages.
Is designed with standards for foil, epee, and sabre.
Provides fencers a roadmap and an incentive for personal development.
Supports both competitive and recreational fencing programs.
Provides coaches a basis for planning and organizing training for athletes.
Helps coaches prepare for professional examinations by organizing levels of training that match professional examination requirements.
Provides a competitive advantage by assuring your students that you offer a well designed training program that will build their skills.
Reflects the expertise and experience of 3 Maitres d'Armes, 3 Prevots, and 3 Moniteurs who designed the original program.
Is based on and is consistent with the model skills development program originally developed by the Club Committee of the United States Fencing Coaches Association.
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO COMPETITIVE SUCCESS?
The measure of competitive success is the United States Fencing Association's national points system and the letter classification system. The Skills Development Program helps you develop the fencing skills you need to be successful, and tests those skills in the lesson environment. The fencer completing a Skill Level has a specific set of fencing skills. It is up to the individual fencer to successfully apply those techniques and tactics in the individual bout.
USING OUR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Using the PAFA Fencing Skills Development Program in your club, salle, or team is simple. If you are a coach certified by the United States Fencing Coaches Association or the Academie d'Armes Internationale, a coach member of the United States Fencing Association and a graduate of Coaches College, or have other recognized coaching credentials:
(1) register using the form below. Data collected with this form is treated as confidential, and for the use of the Pan American Fencing Academy only to determine that a coach meets our requirements to administer the program. Statements on the form may be verified by PAFA to ensure program integrity.
(2) order the program manual and supporting materials by PayPal or by e-mailing us at wgreen@panamfencing.com and pay by check or money order or by PayPal. The supporting materials currently include knowledge handouts for each level and multiple choice tests to test fencer knowledge. These materials are supplied by e-mail as electronic files.
TWO OPTIONS FOR TESTING STUDENTS
(3) give the practical tests as part of your normal training program when your students master the skills.
There are two options for the knowledge testing. If your students have computer access, the online option eliminates the need for you to reproduce handouts and administer the written test. The site provides the text of the paper handouts and allows students to take the written test, with automatic grading and feedback.
(4) ONLINE KNOWLEDGE TEST OPTION: register the names of students who will use the online knowledge and testing site with us using the form below. Then supply students with the instructions and enrolment key for access and use of the online knowledge and testing program. Students can study the material online and complete the test at any time. Have students print out their test results to confirm for you that they have passed the knowledge portion of the test.
(4) IN CLASS KNOWLEDGE TEST OPTION: provide students a copy of the knowledge handout for their level. Give the written test at a convenient time when the students have learned the material.
(5) submit a request for a patch and/or certificate when the students satisfactorily complete the written and practical tests for the program level using the form below.
(6) keep your e-mail address updated with us - we routinely provide revisions and updates to the program by e-mail.
REQUESTING AWARDS
When a fencer meets the requirements of the Pan American Fencing Academy's Skills Development Program, PAFA will issue a certificate and/or patch for the fencer on the request of the fencing coach.
Each certificate is signed by a PAFA supervising Fencing Master and by the fencer's own coach.
Certificate data is kept permanently on file, and fencers may request a transcript which indicates the level achieved and the skills and knowledge included in the level at any time.
For coaches using the PAFA Skills Development Program
Complete the registration form below for each fencer for whom you wish a certificate and/or patch.
Please insert your verification code, provided when you obtained the Skill Development Program Manual.
Then use PayPal to pay the registration fee. Alternatively send a check or money order in the amount of $3.00 for patch only, $5.00 for certificate only, or $7.00 for patch and certificate to the Pan American Fencing Academy, P. O. Box 799, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
The completed certificate and/or patch is mailed by First Class mail to the contact address provided with the form.
Data collected with this form is treated as confidential, and is used by the Pan American Fencing Academy only to determine that a fencer is qualified for the award and to assess the services offered by the Program. In the future aggregate data may be supplied to the United States Fencing Coaches Association and to USA Fencing for their use in program development - this data will not have identifiers that will allow the identification of any particular fencer.
THE PATCH
The award patch is worn on either the non-weapon hand sleeve approximately one inch from the lower cuff for foil and epee fencers, or on the leg of the non-weapon side one to two inches below the lower edge of the sabre lame and above any naming on the leg. The color scheme of patches is as follows
Level 1 (RED) - emblem red, number 1 in yellow, PAFA in blue.
Level 2 (BLUE) - emblem blue, number 2 in yellow, PAFA in red.
Level 3 (BRONZE) - emblem bronze, number 3 in blue, PAFA in red.
Level 4 (SILVER) - emblem grey, number 4 in red, PAFA in blue.
Level 5 (GOLD) - emblem golden yellow, number 5 in blue, PAFA in red.