Classical Academy of Arms

 The Classical Academy of Arms is a non-profit organization that studies fencing in the period 1880-1939 and provides training and credentialing to the standard of the National Standards for Sports Coaches and internationally recognized coach development standards of the International Sports Coaching Framework for trainers who wish to teach classical fencing.  Our self-paced programs are available for enrolment at any time and are conducted completely online using a current teaching platform, Moodle. We award the credentials of:

Classical Fencing Demonstrator (CFD) - a coaching assistant capable of assisting with group lessons and other instructional tasks.  The Classical Fencing Demonstrator is expected to be capable in the foil. 

Classical Fencing Instructor (CFI) - a coach capable of teaching group and individual lessons for beginners and intermediate level fencers.  The Classical Fencing Instructor is expected to be capable in the foil.

Classical Fencing Provost (CFP) - a senior coach capable of managing the teaching and training programs of classical fencing clubs.  The Classical Fencing Provost is expected to be capable in two weapons (foil and sabre or foil and epee)

Classical Fencing Master (CFM) - a master coach capable of teach the full range of lessons, designing training programs, strategic planning for training over multiple training cycles, and training new coaches.  The Classical Fencing Master is expected to be capable in all three weapons (foil, epee, and sabre).

If you are looking for:

• a portable credential not based on your association with a specific instructor or program,
• taught and tested in a 4 rank structure,
• focused on the actual technique of the foil, sabre, and epee as taught by Fencing Masters of the day and documented in their writings,
• that meets current standards for coach development, and
• is achievable by distance instruction and testing ...

... then please read through this site, ask questions, and decide if our rigorous program is for you.

... who wants to broaden your skill set?  Classical fencing has a rich lexicon of blade technique in all three weapons, techniques that are too complicated for the modern sport but that have significant value for training, as well as techniques that expand the fencer's understand of offense, defense, and counteroffense.  Classical fencing masters used a wide variety of teaching methods, adaptable to lessons for beginners to those for elite fencers.  And classical fencing offers a new product line for your club, program, or salle that can be attractive to fencers of all ages who fence recreationally.  Consider adding a credential in classical fencing to your modern certification.   

The Classical Academy of Arms is a member of the United States Center for Coaching Excellence and is accredited by the National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education as a Level 5 Sports Skills and Tactics coach development program.  The Academy is also a member organization of the International Council for Coaching Excellence.  The Academy is recognized by the United States Fencing Coaches Association's Professional Development Committee and the International Fencing Coaches Association as a source for training for fencing coaches.  Our Classical Fencing Master diplomas are eligible for reciprocity with the United States Fencing Coaches Association's Maitre d'Armes Historiques diploma. 

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Celebrate our sport.  There are many ways to fence, and we support the athletes and trainers who train and compete in modern fencing as well as those who fence classically.

The Classical Academy of Arms's coat of arms was granted by the American College of Heraldry.  The blazon is checky sable and argent, two crossed swords gules their points in chief.