· Substantial gains in competitiveness over the last 2 Quadrennial.
· Noteworthy success at the Junior Level.
· US fencers have a short career span relative to the top international fencers.
· Top US fencers must compete simultaneously at the collegiate and international levels.
· Substantial international travel is required.
(1) To be successful, top US Fencers must mature competitively at a rapid pace relative to their international peers.
(2) To be successful US Fencers need strong life management and strategic planning skills due to the substantial time and competitive pressures (need to mature rapidly, travel demands, simultaneously competition at collegiate and international levels). That is, an internationally competitive American fencing must be highly skilled at balancing multiple agendas.
High Performance goals are best served by Psychology & Physiology programs.
Integrated sport science- coaching objectives are detailed below.
Team Development
· Goal: Improve competitiveness at Team Competition
· Recent changes at the international level have placed greater emphasis on team performance as the route to both team and individual success at the Medal level.
· US Fencers are individual athletes by nature and experience. They compete regularly in domestic and international events against their teammates, then must cooperate with them in the team event.
(1) Team Cohesion / Team Building
· Goals: Create team norms and shared expectations; Enhance interpersonal relationships; Enhance team cooperation & support at team events and during the fencing.
· Method: Program development via group process with coaches and athletes facilitated by sport psychologist. (That is, get athletes and coaches together to systematically address goals noted above – as reflected in the catch phrase, “Form, Storm, Norm , Conform”).
(2) Team Game
· Goals: Develop tactics and strategy uniquely suited to the Team Competition; Identify teaching/training methods to enhance team-specific competitive skills; Clarify leadership roles.
· Method: Consensus development via group process using an expert performer paradigm. (That is, a high-level coaches “brainstorming meeting” with the goal of identifying implicitly held knowledge, then assimilating this into a set of “best practices,” for further personal evaluation through a practical trail & error process.)
In service of goals #1 & #2 above: Enhance communication skills in service of (a) team unity & (b) communication effectiveness (e.g., stripside coaching) during the fencing.
· Method: Create working guidelines based on existing knowledge and practices, to be modified by a “trail & error” method.
· Stripside Coaching Guidelines, near completion
Strength & Conditioning Training
· Goal: Develop a definitive fencing-specific fitness-conditioning program
· A definitive fencing-specific fitness – conditioning program is absent.
· Fitness – conditioning is a generally underutilized training element.
· Injury risk patterns are relatively well known and injury risk is reduced by appropriate fitness-conditioning training.
(1) Sport-Specific Fitness-Conditioning
· Goal: Develop an optimal physical-physiological foundation for fencing
· Program Parameters: 1. Flexibilty; 2. Aerobic & Anaerobic Conditioning; 3. Speed; 4. Power; 5.Periodization.
· Method: Phase 1 - Develop a working program based upon existing knowledge & practices by an “expert panel”; Phase 2 – Modify and refine program based on athlete physiological profiling.
(2) Prevention
· Goal: Optimize safety and health of fencers in face of known risk factors
· Program Focus: 1. Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries; 2. Prevention of Overtraining.
· Method: As noted above, with monitoring of injury trends
· Baseline injury profiling has been done.
In service of Goals #1 & #2 above: Develop fundamental, practical guidelines for appropriate nutrition & hydration during training and competition.
· Method: Develop a working program based upon existing knowledge & practices by an “expert panel.”
Strategic Planning / Life – Sport Goal Setting
· Goal: Best utilization of time, energy and other resources (in recognition of, and in response to, need to bring athletes along quickly and related pressures).
· Systematic long term planning which integrates sport and life goals.
o Fundamental skill training in goal setting & time management.
o Competitive season planning which is linked to periodization of training, school/ work schedules etc, and, includes monitoring of overtraining/ burnout indicators.
o Quadrennium planning which balances long term competitive goals and vocational career planning.
· Method: Continue existing elite athlete sport psychology consulting program; Yearly planning meeting with athlete, coach, elite program coordinator (and parent & sport psychologist, as needed).
Psychological Preparation for Competition
· Goal: Psychological skills as a gateway to full realization of competitive potential.
· US Fencers are still aspiring at the senior level, and so must adapt to “underdog” role.
(1) Mental Skills Training
· Goal: Individualized mental skills training materials available to athletes (on an elective basis).
· Skills: Intensity control, concentration, visualization, self-talk, competitive routines.
· Method: Continue existing elite athlete sport psychology consulting program
· Materials available: Psychological Skills Training Manual; Prototype “Preparation for Competition” mental training scripts; “Refocusing From Distractions” mental training script.
(2) Competition Day Planning
· Goal: Best utilization of time, energy & focus over the course of a competition.
· A US Fencer who will Medal internationally needs to be prepared for an 8-10 hour competitive day, and be prepared to be at her/his best at the end of the day.
· Method: Develop prototype “Competition Day Plans” incorporating physical preparation & psychological preparation for each bout with time management, energy management, and nutrition/hydration.
i. Domestic competition
ii. International Competition
Plan development & critique: John Heil, Peter Harmer, Nat Goodhartz, Buckie Leach, Mike Pederson, Carla Richards, Alex Kuznetsov
USFASciPerfPlan;JHeil;7/26/02