Opinion of the coach. 

Igor Pylnov (Russia, saber). 

Our reference. Igor Grigoryevich Pylnov is the honored coach in fencing. He has trained several generations of prominent fencers, including Michael Burtsev, the double Olympic champion and Elena Nechayeva (saber), the World champion,  with whom he is working on.  

     At the request of the International Charity Fund "For the Future of Fencing", I participated for the first time in the seminar held in Almaty in mid-March of 2007 for professionals from the countries of the Asian region. I should say that in September of the current year there will be 50 years since I am in coaching work, I have accumulated a great theoretical material for training in sword fencing for both, men and women. Initially I tried to convey to my students all necessary skills in a short period of time. But in the course of training lessons, I realized that it was not feasible; it takes several years to teach my trainees all the subtleties of the Russian fencing school, famous not only for its basic techniques, but for tactical details of the fights as well. The incentives of the Fund were different. We needed to bring the knowledge of our fencers, either the beginners or experienced coaches from many countries of Asia and Oceania, to a common system, which would enhance their fencing culture, assist to improve their coaching skills and to disclose new attractive features of fencing. popularization of fencing in the Asian countries, where this kind of sports is being rapidly developed recently.

     An extensive work has been made by the trainers during the seminar. The professional level of the athletes was different; therefore, theoretical and practical sessions were arranged for several groups. Some of trainees had to get acquainted with the elementary fundamentals of coaching in fencing, others needed more advanced level of coaching art.  

     Our trainees turned out to be very diligent students. They listened very carefully to the basic theory, made notes of the lectures, applied theoretical knowledge in practice and asked many questions. The organizers of the seminar applied a right approach to involve highly experienced fencers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. They were good assistants for the trainers, practiced a lot with the representatives from India, Palestine, the Philippines and other countries, what has greatly enhanced the quality of training.

     The closing session was arranged rather efficiently. Boris Fomenko, who has an extensive experience in conducting such events, has developed the system of testing the skills, gained at the seminar. The hall was divided into four zones, in each of them training sessions were arranged in particular skills, which comprised all elements of training exercises : movements, couple sessions, exercises in the fighting on assignment of the coach, individual lessons. Therefore, our students demonstrated how they have mastered elements of the training sessions.

     Of course, as a coach, I'd like such seminars to be arranged regularly and for longer periods, I think.