"Fencing Foil: A Practical Training Guide
for Coaches, Parents and Young Athletes", Handelman and Louie, 2014, Pattinando Publishing, San Francisco, CA is a new
stand-alone book on modern foil fencing.
Almost
500 pages long, the book covers all aspects of foil training in one text. For
example coaches and parents will especially appreciate: sports medicine (diet
for training and competition, heat regulation and fluid intake, fencing
fitness, functional warm-ups, core training, plyometrics) learning theory,
mental toughness, history of foil fencing and how it developed.
All
aspects of foil technique are included (definitions, correct execution,
utilization and the pedagogy of how to teach every action), along with over 100
drills labeled from beginner to elite level for various foil actions, footwork
with descriptions of each movement and utilization, competitive training
tactics (tactical abilities, tactical styles, tactical pedagogy used by our
National coaches, detailed stripside coaching instruction, bout analysis and
observation skills over 40 training scenarios for competition).
Specifically for
coaches, how to do group instruction and drills for all levels, individual
lessons for coaches from Moniteur to Master (fencing elements defined and
explained, teaching methods, coaching footwork, cues and coordination,
specifics on Option, Teaching and Warm-up lessons with sample lessons for the
club and for certification exams), and fencer’s motivation. 