Relationship of CAA Instructor Ranks to Other Certifications

Instructor ranks awarded by the Classical Academy of Arms for Classical Fencing Apprentice Instructors, Classical Fencing Demonstrators, Classical Fencing Instructors, Classical Fencing Provosts, Classical Fencing Masters, and Classical Fencing Master Trainers focus on fencing in the classical period (1880-1939).  If you intend to teach and train modern competitive fencers, we strongly suggest that you study for and pass the examinations of the member academies of arms of the AAI or IFCA.

The focus of the CAA program is to teach classical fencing in a way consistent with the instructional methods of the classical period.  We believe that our credentialing program is well structured, requires mastery of the material of all three weapons, and will produce instructors fully capable of teaching the technique of fencing in period of varied and complex bladework, it does not address tactical training, advanced footwork, timing, distance control, conditioning, and other skills required of the modern fencing coach.

Individuals holding our credentials are expected to always include “Classical Fencing” when using the titles of their rank, and to use the standard appellations, CFA, CFD, CFI, CFP, CFM, and CFMT. Anyone with questions about the validity of a CAA credential claimed by an individual can verify that status by opening the electronic Open Badge issued by the CAA, or by contacting the Academy     

Classical Academy of Arms Instructor Ranks

The Classical Fencing Instructor Program is designed as a four level instructional program, with a single special designator.  The core material for each level is designed to be completed in one year. Individuals holding these ranks are Professional Members of the Academy.  The levels and associated requirements are:

1. Classical Fencing DEMONSTRATOR (CFD)

(a)  Skill Development Testing – Successfully complete the multiple choice tests for Ranks 1, 2, and 3 of the Classical Academy of Arms Skill Development Program. 

(b)  Oral Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of an oral examination of fencing knowledge appropriate for trainers at the Demonstrator level. 

(c)  Written Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of the Classical Fencing Demonstrator Course with a passing score on the 50 question multiple choice examination. 

(d)  Practical Examination (introductory group lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in foil in a practical demonstration of an introductory level group lesson. 

(e)  Practical Examination (introductory individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in foil in a practical demonstration of an introductory level, command-based, individual, technical lesson. 

(f)  Teaching – Teach a minimum of 35 lessons in foil of which 25 must be group lessons, with lessons documented by lesson plans. 

(g)  Student Assessments – Receive a minimum of 2 detailed student assessments of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct. 

(h)  Self-Assessment – Completes a detailed self-assessment of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct. 

(i)  Serve as a Judge – Demonstrate the ability to satisfactorily serve as a judge in a classical fencing bout. 

(j)  Portfolio – Satisfactory submission of a portfolio documenting the candidate’s fencing experience and completion of requirements.

2. Classical Fencing INSTRUCTOR (CFI)

(a)  Weapons Taught – Must demonstrate competency with the classical foil.

(b)  Skill Development Testing – Successfully complete the multiple choice tests for Ranks 4, 5, and 6 of the Classical Academy of Arms Skill Development Program.

(c)  Written Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of the Classical Fencing Instructor Course with a passing score on the multiple choice examination.

(d)  Oral Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of an oral examination of fencing knowledge appropriate for trainers at the Instructor level. 

(e)  Practical Examination (group lesson) – Demonstrate a group foil technical lesson with a skill and its counter. 

(f)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate an individual foil technical lesson with a skill and its counter. 

(g)  Teaching – Teach a minimum of 100 lessons in foil of which 50 must be group lessons, with lessons documented by lesson plans. 

(h)  Student Assessments – Receives a minimum of 2 detailed student assessments of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct. 

(i)  Self-Assessment – Completes a detailed self-assessment of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct. 

(j)  Serve as President of the Jury – Supervise the conduct of a bout, including assignment of judges, voting to determine materiality of a hit, determining the validity of a hit, maintaining order on the piste, and recording the results.

(k)  Satisfactory submission of a portfolio documenting the candidate’s fencing experience and completion of requirements.

3. Classical Fencing PROVOST (CFP)
 

(a)  Weapons Taught – Demonstrate proficiency in the foil and either sabre or epee.

(b)  Skill Development Testing – Successfully complete the multiple choice tests for Ranks 7 and 8 of the Classical Academy of Arms Skill Development Program.

(c)  Written Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of the Classical Fencing Provost Course with a passing score on the multiple choice examination.

(d)  Oral Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of an oral examination of fencing knowledge appropriate for trainers at the Provost level.

(e)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in an individual technical lesson with a single skill and its counter. Use either foil or the second weapon.

(f)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in an individual complex response lesson. Use the other choice of weapon from the individual technique and its counter lesson.

(g)  Teaching – Teaching a cumulative minimum of 200 lessons of which at least 75 must have been in the second weapon, with lessons documented with lesson plans.

(h)  Student Assessments – Receive a minimum of 2 detailed student assessments of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct.

(i)  Self-Assessment – Completes a detailed self-assessment of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct.

(j)  Serve as a Member of the Bout Committee – Supervise the management of a tournament, including determination of the event format, the seeding of fencers, and assignments of Presidents and Judges to bouts.

(k)  Portfolio – Satisfactory submission of a portfolio documenting the candidate’s fencing experience and completion of requirements.

(l)  Research Paper – Propose and complete a research paper addressing an issue of significance in the teaching of classical fencing.

4. Classical Fencing MASTER (CFM)
 

(a)  Weapons Taught – Demonstrate proficiency in the foil, sabre, and epee. 

(b)  Skill Development Testing – Successfully complete the multiple choice test for Rank 9 of the Classical Academy of Arms Skill Development Program.

(c)  Written Examination – Requires satisfactory completion of the Classical Fencing Master course with a passing score on the comprehensive multiple choice examination.

(d)  Oral examination – Requires satisfactory completion of a comprehensive oral examination of fencing knowledge appropriate for trainers at the Master level.

(e)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in an individual silent lesson with any of the three weapons.

(f)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in a tactical lesson with any of the three weapons.(g)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in an eyes-closed lesson with any of the three weapons.

(g)  Practical Examination (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in an eyes-closed lesson with any of the three weapons.

(h)  Non-dominant Hand (individual lesson) – Demonstrate teaching competence in delivering a lesson with the non-dominant hand.

(i)  Teaching – Teaching a cumulative minimum of 300 lessons of which at least 75 must have been in each weapon with lessons documented with lesson plans.

(j)  Student Assessments – Receive a minimum of two detailed student assessments of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct. 

(k)  Self-Assessment – Completes a detailed self-assessment of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct.

(l)  Portfolio – Satisfactory submission of a portfolio documenting the candidate’s fencing experience and completion of requirements.

(m)  Thesis – Propose, complete, and defend prepare a thesis based on original research addressing an issue of significance to classical fencing.

5. Classical Fencing MASTER TRAINER (CFMT) – special designator 

(a)  Teaching How to Teach Lessons (group lessons) – Demonstrate competence in teaching a candidate for the rank Classical Fencing Instructor, Classical Fencing Provost, or Classical Fencing Master how to teach an individual lesson appropriate for that rank, in person or submitted as video.

(b)  Teaching How to Teach Lessons (individual lessons) – demonstrate competence in teaching a candidate for any rank how to teach a group lesson, in person or submitted as video.

(c)  Clinic or Course Teaching – Teach classical fencing in an instructor clinic or online course for a minimum of 16 hours using topics in the syllabus of the Classical Fencing Demonstrator, through Classical Fencing Master courses.

(d)  Student Assessments – Receive a minimum of 2 detailed student assessments of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct.

(e)  Self-Assessment – Completes a detailed self-assessment of individual teaching and fencing skills and professional conduct.

(f)  Contribution to knowledge – Make a substantial contribution to knowledge of teaching classical fencing through any combination of: development of teaching guides for a specific weapon and master; publication of articles, manuals, or guides to general methods of teaching classical fencing skills; or development of media presentations to assist developing instructors improve their teaching skills.

Competencies

Based on contemporary sources, current issues in teaching and training athletes, and national and international standards for coach development the Academy has prepared a list of competencies for classical fencing trainers.  These serve as a framework for the composition of our credentialing programs.  A current competency list is included in the Academy’s Program Manual.

Credentialing Process

At each professional level, candidates for the rank are required to complete written and practical examinations.  The following documents are used in the credentialing process and are supplied to candidates on request:

• Credentialing Checklist for Candidates
• Portfolio for Professional Ranks
• Instructions to Examiners
• Practical Examination Metrics for Evaluation of Candidate Performance
• Practical Examination for Professional Ranks Examination Form
• Discussion Questions for Oral Components of Professional Examinations
• Oral Examination for Professional Ranks Examination Form

Research

The Classical Fencing Provost and Classical Fencing Master ranks require completion of written papers.  The Classical Fencing Provost requires a research paper dealing with a significant technique, tactic, training system, or issue in classical fencing. Classical Fencing Master rank requires a formal thesis. 

Trainer Insignia

Individuals holding rank as instructors may wear a patch on the lower non-weapon arm of the fencing jacket or on the upper back of a teaching jacket or plastron.  Patches are pictured in the right hand column.

Reciprocity

Individuals certified in modern fencing as Animateur, Aide Moniteur, or Assistant Moniteur, Moniteur, Prevot, or Maitre d’Armes (or the equivalent ranks) by the Academie d’Armes Internationale or the International Fencing Coaches Association, or by a recognized National Academy of Arms (for example, the British Academy of Fencing, the Akademie der Fechtkunst Deutschlands, the United States Fencing Coaches Association, etc.) may be granted reciprocity to the equivalent ranks of Classical Fencing Demonstrator, Classical Fencing Instructor, Classical Fencing Provost, and Classical Fencing Master.  Full requirements for reciprocity and for recognition of prior learning are contained in the Academy’s Program Manual. 

Continuing Education

Holders of CAA ranks of Classical Fencing Instructor, Classical Fencing Provost, and Classical Fencing Master are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education each calendar year to retain certification.  Details of the Academy’s continuing professional education program are available on our Continuing Education page.

Requirements for First Aid and Athlete Protection Training

The Classical Academy of Arms highly recommends, but does not require, completion of first aid training as part of the credentialing process.  However, classical fencing groups should evaluate the requirements for first aid skills appropriate to their locality and the applicability of  requirements for sports coaches in other sports, and establish requirements for first aid training for appropriate members.  As a minimum any classical fencing program should have on-site at any time fencing activity is being conducted at least one individual who has the following training and current certification:

• First Aid (standard first aid from any recognized training source is acceptable, preferred is a sports specific first aid course)
• Basic Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
• Concussion recognition and response

The Classical Academy of Arms highly recommends, but does not  require, completion of athlete protection training as part of its credentialing process.  However, any classical fencing group that has members under the age of 18 or potentially vulnerable adults should require all adults serving as instructors or in any other position of authority to complete the United States Olympic Committee’s SafeSport training or its equivalent for modern fencing groups in other countries.