The NCDP is a comprehensive, five-level coaching education and certification program designed to help fencing coaches improve their coaching skills, knowledge, and effectiveness. The program offers a variety of clinics, workshops, and online resources to help Coaches in Training (CIT) learn about all aspects of fencing coaching. The NCDP is open to all fencing coaches, from the entry level coach to the highly experienced coach. The program is designed to be flexible, so coaches can choose the clinics and workshops that are most relevant to their needs
Five Levels of certification
The USFCA uses five levels of certification to distinguish a given coach’s knowledge, training, skill, and experience. For Level 2 and higher, coaches earn certifications in each of the three fencing weapons—foil (fleuret), epee, and sabre—individually. A coach might, for instance, be a Moniteur d’Fleuret while also being a Prevôt d’Epee. A coach who has earned the same level of certification in all three weapons replaces the individual weapon names in that level with the term “d’Armes.”
Beginning with Level Two, the CIT must complete a set of requirements including logged hours teaching and learning, attending online NCDP core courses, and fulfilling a required number of hours of participation in face-to-face coaching clinics.
Below are brief descriptions of what each level means. Click the link for more detailed information on and the specific requirements for each level.
The levels are:
- Level 1: Level One Fencing Coach. This is a gateway level where many coaches begin their path to becoming a fencing coach. Coaches at this level only need to have SafeSport certification and a current background check.
- Level 2: Assistant Moniteur. A coach at this level works directly under the supervision of a coach of higher level. They can help the coach run a training class during the warm-ups, games, footwork, basic partner drills, and bouting.
- Level 3: Moniteur. A coach at this level is a professional who typically coaches fencing in club, community, and school programs without direct supervision. They give group classes and individual lessons for beginners up to intermediate competitors.
- Level 4: Prevôt. A coach at this level is a professional who has proficiency with a variety of teaching methods and can train fencers of all skill levels. Further, they may train beginning coaches to become Assistant Moniteurs and Moniteurs.
- Level 5: Maître. Also called “fencing masters,” coaches at this level are professionals who are able to train fencers up to the highest levels of competition. In addition, they work to train fencing coaches up to any level.
For coaches who have some initial level of coaching experience, the Certification and Accreditation Board (CAB) can conduct an Entry Assessment to help enable the appropriate placement into our educational programs. Coaches can receive an initial certification at the L2: Assistant Moniteur, L3: Moniteur, or L4: Prevôt level (and in rare, highly qualified cases, at the L5: Maître level). Entry Assessments for each weapon are conducted separately, and are evaluated on a scored rubric that includes formal education, coaching experience, student results, and sport leadership. Note that after being awarded a certification through this program, seeking additional certifications may require “backfilling” specific coursework.
To request an NCDP Entry Assessment, once you have joined the USFCA, you can log into the website, access the “Members” tab, and navigate to the “Entry Assessment” option, where applications are available for each weapon.
