Coaches’ Blog

The 2011 review is a hard one to write.  I’ve been thinking about it for weeks.  Though so much has been good, we’ve had some pretty big losses this year that have had a ripple effect in our community.  The top ten things that stand out of me th...

On Friday evening, December 16th, 2011 Ned, a founding coach of the Mid-South Fencers' Club, died from a short and hard fought battle with cancer.  He leaves behind his wife Anne, his daughter, Erin, his father and two brothers.  Below is the letter ...

A young Mid-South Cadet traveled abroad with her coach to Godollo, Hungary for her first international event in her fencing career and Team USA ended up carrying home a trophy with silver international bling around their necks.   This is a brief intro...

Mid-South has three more “graduates” this year and for the first time they will be fencing for their respective college teams. Here is what our students have to say as they reflect back on how fencing influenced their collegiate choices. Claire ...

Some days I can’t decide which super cape to put on when I wake up in the morning. Often the capes clash with one another and I trip over the edges while running from one job to the next. I tripped over an edge hard this past weekend, it broke my heart, but only for about three hours.

On the last day of 2010 I go to check the club’s Facebook Fan Page and see a rap posted by one of our fencers, which honors fencing, and Mid-South. The rap is creative, it’s funny, it’s reflective of the process of the fencer and most importantly, pokes fun at many things we take seriously about ourselves. I love it! The community interactions and involvement among our club members are one of the major things that have fed our community in 2010. We are not just brick and mortar, with a coach pouring fencing knowledge down the throats of eager Star Wars fans. We have now evolved into a living organism. We’re proliferating, like this rap that blossomed on our fan page last night!

This past weekend was the NC Division’s annual fall meeting. As an organization we usually meet in August (planning session) and at Divisional Qualifiers (to vote in officers). We had average attendance, a small group, but mostly “the core.” M...

The coaching staff was again shocked by the pervasive use of fear as a coaching technique for motivating fencers. On the first day FEAR was what our coaching staff struggled with most, trying to dislodge in our fencers! Fear causes resistance to change. Even when change is necessary to win, fear is immobility in fencing. Fear caused fencers to avoid attacking, or to be secure in only an attack and avoid taking the risk of parry riposte.

10.  It's hot outside. 9. It's bathing suit season, and leg bruises look really nice with polka-dot bikinis. 8.  Head Start on the competitive season (especially for NCAA fencers!) 7. All your friends will be there. 6. Support your local ...

What makes a successful fencing program? Some fencing clubs collect medals. Some clubs go out for beer after fencing. Others are after school programs. Stephen ponders the question, and suggests some answers to the question.