Fencing Basics - Clubs, Coaches, Fencers

Join Coach Alex Harms of the Des Moines Fencing Club for a Survey Clinic aimed at helping new fencing clubs, or clubs without Experienced Coach support get started. Athletes, parents, coaches and school officials welcome to attend. Only participating athletes need preregister. Our clinic will work on the following: - Fencing as an organization at the Club, State and National Level - Essentials of the Rules and Refereeing - Fencing Equipment - Fundamentals of fencing actions (footwork and blade work) - Designing drills and running practices - Teaching and coaching new fencers - Where to get additional resources The clinic is being hosted by the Charles City School Fencing team and Coach Robert Pittman. * Venue: - Charles City Middle School Gymnasium. (Note: The Middle School is directly North East of the High School) - 1200 1st Ave, Charles City, IA, 50616 * Clinic times 3/10 5:00pm - 9:00pm and 3/11 8:00am - 3:00pm - Coach Alex is willing to relocate and hang out with any athletes after we close if people would like. * Cost: FREE for Charles City fencers, $30 per person for other attendees. * We will be providing a pizza dinner on Friday night. Please bring a Sack Lunch to eat on Saturday. Athletes are on their own for breakfast and dinner before and after the clinic on Saturday. Please bring a water bottle, and if you need, a snack. We will be burning a lot of energy. Requirements: Fencers must bring full whites (Mask, Glove, Jacket, Chest protection, knickers, long socks) as well as a foil to use during the clinic. Participants may want to bring a water bottle, clean t-shirt, and towel. **(Charles City Fencers will have equipment provided, Charles City Fencers please wear long pants so that your legs are totally covered, if possible no jeans and as few pockets or ornaments as possible) Please also bring a notebook and something to write with during the clinic. Contacts: Coach Alex Harms (Presenter) - (515)480-8945, dmfcfoil@gmail.com Coach Robert Pittman (Host and Venue) - rpittma@charles-city.k12.ia.us About Coach Harms: Alex has coached fencers since 2007. He is currently the Assistant Head Coach and Director of Foil Programming for the Des Moines Fencing Club. He is certified in all three fencing weapons by the US Fencing Coaches Association and International Academy of Arms. He earned his Professional Coaching designation in foil in 2012. Alex has served as a coach and officer for the Des Moines Fencing Club, the University of Iowa Fencing Club, the Penn State Fencing Club. He is currently the president and chair of the Iowa Division of U.S. Fencing.