Oregon Fencing Alliance                               

2nd Annual Korfanty Sabre Coaching and Referee Clinic

OFA and U.S. National Women's Sabre Coach Ed Korfanty are pleased to hold it's 2nd Annual (2006) Sabre Coaching and Referee Clinic Aug. 17-20, 2006. The clinic is co-sponsored by the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association. Download registration form here.

Low-cost (comfortable) housing in onsite dormitories available. Clinic is during the last part of an elite level training camp so coaches will observe highest level training in tactical, preparation, strategy, and fitness training (strength, flexibility, agility, speed). Reigning Olympic Champion, Mariel Zagunis and other U.S. National team members will be participating.

• 9-4 daily, extended clinic sessions in the evenings for those wishing to participate.

• Physical training and footwork drills

• Tactical and technical sabre drills

• Optional open bouting

• Different coaching approaches for use with group and private lessons

• Video taping and review of bouts

• Tactics and techniques specific to the new sabre timing

• See our new wireless system in use

• Clinic overlaps with our elite training camp for hands on learning and observation

• Morning sessions concentrate on observation of  the training used with our elite fencers

• Afternoon sessions focus on individual teaching and coaching skills to tactical analysis

• Clinic ends at 12 noon on the 20th in time for flight departures

• Costs: $400.00 US, $75.00 discount if registered and paid prior to Aug. 1, 2006. Click here for registration form.
  We suggest you bring your fencing gear except for swords (we will loan the swords). Opportunity for bouting.
   

Please read review of the 2005 clinic below (and also in the Swordmaster newsletter) for a more in-depth idea of what to expect.

2005 Korfanty Sabre Coaching and Referee Clinic

OFA's first sabre coaching and refereeing clinic was held Aug. 17-22, 2005. 14 attendees traveled to Portland, Oregon to learn from the 2004 Olympic champion's (Mariel Zagunis) gold medal winning coach, Ed Korfanty. Special guest, Arnold Mercado, President of the United States Fencing Coaches Association took full part in all sessions, then conducted USFCA Certification tests over the course of 5 days, for those who wished to get certified for Moniteur, Prevost, or Master of Arms. Kudos to Maestro Mercado for marathon days above and beyond the call of duty, so that everyone who wanted to test could do so. Many guests chose to stay on campus in the low cost but very comfortable, dormitory rooms; others chose to stay at nearby hotels.

Coaches saw and learned first hand during an elite training camp, warm up exercises, physical training, drills, tactical drills, strategic planning, advanced footwork, tempo, distance control, variations of line's of attack, advanced strategies, private classes for all levels of fencers, and how to improve their judging. Coaches observed numerous private classes of beginner, intermediate and advanced levels given by sabre coach Charles Randall and were able to question him extensively. Special treats were Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis demonstrating elite level drills, exercises and lessons with coach Korfanty. Coaches were able to question both Mariel and Ed on just about anything they wanted - and they did! Also in attendance for observation and interaction with coaches were U.S. Team Members Rebecca Ward (2005 Jr. World Champion) , Caity Thompson (2004 Cadet World champion), Patrick Ghattas, Billy Thanhouser and Mera Keltner. At a special Salmon BBQ dinner, hosted by program director Cathy Zagunis,  Mariel showed her Olympic Gold Medal to each guest and graciously answered about her experiences before, during and after the Olympics. 

One of the most challenging and interesting aspects of the clinic was the judging portion. Each coach acted as a judge and learned how to watch and call fast and advanced moves as Korfanty himself would make the movement(s). Tips on what to watch for, how to see and hear certain movements for right of way, attacks and defense were all the subject of much enthusiastic conversation. All coaches commented on much this improved what they "saw" during a bout almost immediately. By the end of the clinic all coaches reported a much improved eye for judging. See the Fall/Winter 2005 issue of the Swordmaster for several articles by attendees of the clinic, each one pointing different facets of the clinic.

Enthused by the level of fencing, many joined in for the open bouting sessions after the camp. Maestro Korfanty took on all comers from the coaching clinic for a fun and full spirited session of bouting.  Bouts stopped numerous times with "can you show me how you did that?" . By all accounts the clinic was a great success. Comments included "can't  wait to come back again", "I learned more than I ever hoped to", "the first day alone was worth the price of the entire clinic", "I want to send all my students to your camps" "Korfanty's openness and sincere desire to help us learn is apparent in all he did. His knowledge, experience, intuition regarding the game and his athletes is astounding as is his willingness to share it all". Korfanty autographed photos for participants and handed out the certificates of completion.

Photos from the Aug. 17-21, 2005 Clinic
 (photos may be downloaded for Non-commercial use, use photo credit: Claire Randall/OFA, click on photo for high resolution photo)

U.S. National  Women's Sabre Coach Ed Korfanty (far right) and USFCA President Arnold Mercado welcome coaches on Day 1