Coaching Workshop Series - Epee

About Gary Copeland... Founder and head coach of Northern Colorado Fencers since 1979, Gary Copeland has coached more than 800 U.S. national competition finalists (1st-8th place) from 1988-2005, including 46 individual U.S. national champions, 14 U.S. national team champions, and 64 junior and cadet World champions and Pan-American team positions. Gary was named 1999 U.S. Olympic Committee Fencing Coach of the Year and has served as U.S. National Team coach on more than 20 U.S. national teams. He is currently Assistant Director of the U.S. Fencing Coaches College at the U.S. Olympic Training center in Colorado Springs. The Clinic... This clinic is designed for the competitive epee fencer who has just started coaching, or the foil/saber coach who wishes to add an additional weapon to their skill set. Some of the topics to be discussed are: 1. Simple (one tempo) and complex (multi-tempo) cuing for actions 2. Use of distance and blade amplitude in cuing actions 3. Helping the student choose the "moment to go" 4. Building lessons from simple to more complex phrases 5. Tactics in the lesson 6. Coach self-assessment. When is it your mistake? When is it the students? 7. Giving lessons to students with strong technical skills 8. Athlete and club management Additional topics may be explored as the time allows. Coaches are encouraged to bring a student to work with for each of the clinics they register for. All students will be fed lunch on the days that they work. Underage students must have a waiver from their legal guardian to participate. Students must at all times wear a full uniform, including plastron and appropriate footwear. Sweats, in lieu of knickers or fencing pants, may be worn. Shorts may not be worn under any circumstances when crossing blades with a coach or another student. Students working with the group as a whole should make themselves available 30 minutes after the start of the days session. Students understand that they may be videotaped or photographed for educational purposes. Basic Info... Clinic starts at 9 AM each day and runs until approximately 5. (That seems to be when we run out of steam.) There will be an hour-long break for lunch, which is provided as part of the clinic. There will be the option of joining in for a group dinner on Saturday night. Cost $200 if registered and paid by August 9, $225 after August 10. Hotels... We are working to get a group rate for this clinic. We will update this page as we get more information, and will contact registrants directly. Residence Inn 191 Washington Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 (Google Map) The Residence Inn offers studios and 1-bedroom suites, each featuring a bed and a sofabed, as well as a kitchenette and complimentary breakfast, parking, and wifi. It is within easy walking distance of Conshohocken's main street, which has a number of restaurants, and the regional rail station. Marriott Hotel 111 Crawford Avenue, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 (Google Map) The Marriott offers one king bed or two double beds. While there is complimentary parking on weekends ($20 per night on weeknights), there are charges for wifi and breakfast, and it is a bit more of a schlep to amenities such as Conshohocken's main drag and public transportation. It is, however, across the street from a well-stocked convenience store and a McDonalds. Call (610) 941-5600 to make a reservation, group code Delaware Valley Fencers.