Governing Rules
The Governing Rules serve as the by-laws of the Classical Academy of Arms. This is the current edition of the Governing Rules.
Review Board Minutes
The Board meets quarterly, or more frequently if required, to review the status of Academy programs and courses and to make suggestions to the Director as to how the operations of the Academy may be sustained and improved.
Mission Vision Values Statement
Who We Are: The Classical Academy of Arms is a non-profit membership organization of individual fencing instructors dedicated to the preservation of the techniques and values of classical and historical fencing and to their transmission to a new generation of fencers.
Mission of the Academy: The mission of the Classical Academy of Arms is to preserve the techniques and values of classical fencing and to transmit them to a new generation of classical fencers.
Philosophy: The Classical Academy of Arms believes that fencing using classical and historical techniques has value in providing disciplined training in point and blade control and management of tempo for modern competitive fencers, in providing a framework for adult recreational fencing, in enabling serious study of historical fencing methods, and in the training of fencing coaches in the theory of the sport.
Focus: Our focus includes Classical Fencing, defined as fencing, dry or steam (without electrical scoring), with Foil, Dueling Sword (Epee), or Sabre, using the techniques taught by the contemporary Masters and the commonly accepted rules of the period 1880 through 1939. This time period abounds with different schools of fence, and have many extant fencing manuals with excellent illustrations and with methods of instruction as well as descriptions of techniques. Masters in this era often discuss the theories of fencing. Despite the stereotype of being only Foil, Epee and Sabre, there are many different well-documented schools/styles in this era, and provide an excellent bridge between modern fencing and historical weapons styles.
We also embrace fencing schools/styles from the 18th century and back in history. While many schools/styles are not as well documented, and are open to some interpretation (due to language differences, historical cultural differences, poor or inaccurate illustrations, etc.), we actively encourage research and re-creation of these fencing styles.
Vision: To serve as the center for the preservation of classical fencing technique through research and training of instructors capable of teaching period technique to recreational and competitive fencers.
Values:
- We uphold the classical values of honor to arms and respect for the Masters. We understand our responsibility to the Masters of the classical period to represent their teaching accurately and to keep their names and contributions to fencing alive.
- We believe in the importance of rigorous attention to academic standards in teaching classical / historical fencing. We commit to researching, documenting, understanding, and accurately teaching the use of the fencing weapons in the period as reflected in the record of fencing manuals and other contemporary evidence.
- We know that effective instruction requires the use of a full range of instructional techniques and technologies, careful planning, and disciplined execution.
- We know that credentialing graduates of training requires a transparent and fair process with established requirements, clear and understandable metrics, and a commitment to the role of credentialing in the fencing instructor’s career.
- We understand that the quest for excellence in training instructors in sport requires dedication to continuous learning and continuous improvement. We demand that of ourselves, and we demand that of our students.
- We know that better fencing results from better coaching, and we commit to conducting ourselves as professional trainers and requiring the same of our students.
- We respect all fencers, whether recreational, competitive, or elite, for their love of fencing, and recognize that fencers in each period, whether modern, classical, or historical, are part of a continuum across 800 years of organized teaching, learning, and fighting, on the battlefield, in the duel, and as competitive athletes, from which all of us have much to learn.
- We understand that what we do changes lives, and we embrace that responsibility.