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Well, I decided to bite the bullet and attend a referee seminar this fall in Durham. I’ve been reffing unofficially at local tournaments so I figure it’s about time to get my rating. In order to prepare I’ll be doing lots of studying, and will post study information and resources here.
The primary source for the U. S. rulebook and study guides is at the Fencing Officials Commission website. I’ll be hitting the rulebook hard as the last time I was really into it was over 10 years ago. Calling epee is fairly straightforward as the scoring box does most of the work. Foil is more challenging. I can usually award the point correctly but calling the action is another story.
The first post of my personal referee study guide. Rules are referenced by paragraph but may be paraphrased.
(t.13) The playing field or “strip” in fencing is 1.50 to 2 meters wide and 14 meters long.
(t.17) If a fencer has crossed the lateral boundaries of the strip, he may be put back on guard at the correct distance even if this places him behind the rear line and causes a touch to be awarded against him.
(t.18) A fencer may only leave the strip in exceptional circumstances and with permission. Leaving without permission incurs a penalty (first group offense, yellow card->red card).
(t.26, t.103) Having one foot off the strip is OK. Crossing the lateral boundaries of the strip with both feet incurs a halt, any touch scored while off strip is anulled. Touches received are not annulled if they are before the halt.
(t.27) Crossing the rear boundary with both feet results in a penalty touch.
(t.28, t.102) Crossing the lateral boundary with both feet results in one meter of ground (one step forward) being awarded to the opponent.
(t.28, t.29, t.116) Crossing the lateral boundary in order to avoid a touch results in a penalty, (first group offense, yellow card->red card) while crossing it accidentally incurs no penalty.
(t. 46, t.61, t.70, t.116) pushing or dragging the point of the weapon is forbidden during fencing, and placing the point on the strip to straighten it at any time is also forbidden and penalized (first group offense, yellow card->red card).
(t.87, t.116) Under no circumstances may fencers remove their clothing on the strip, even to change their bodycord. (first group offense, yellow card->red card)
The comic page will be up a little late this week, but I’ll get it up as soon as possible. I had the privilege this weekend of attending a fencing director’s clinic given by the esteemed Derek Cotton of the Fencing Officials Commission (FOC). Derek is not only a highly knowledgeable referee but also an entertaining speaker. Unfortunately I found out quickly that this was not to be a test-prep lecture. In addition, my strategy of studying the rulebook systematically and waiting until the week before the test to start with the study guide proved faulty. But as I was told by many others, most of whom were simply there to get their annual requirement fulfilled, the test is designed not to pass the first time. So really, it’s less of a test of what you know than a “teaching” test. I will admit however that knowing the penalty chart a little better will help. I’ll be ready for the next attempt, and hopefully I can share some more useful study techniques.
This was also my first time at Mid-South Fencer’s Club. This club has a great coffeehouse feel (besides the upstairs coffeehouse) that makes it a place you want to hang out in. With exposed brick walls and artwork by owner Matt Cox, it’s the kind of club you’d want if you had your own club. It doesn’t hurt that it has air conditioning, either, a boon if you understand how hot and humid North Carolina can be in the summer. Matt and Jen were very hospitable and I’m looking forward to attending a tournament (and re-taking my exam) there in the future.
After observing the practical portion of the lecture on Sunday, I swung by the N.C. Museum of Art on the way home for some inspiration. My usual method of going through a museum, is to walk by every piece stopping only at the ones that catch my eye or leave me with a question which can only be answered by closer observation or reading the placard. While I admire the obsession with detail of the Renaissance masters but I look at them much like I look at classical fencing; pretty, but inert. For representational art I prefer the more graphic look of medieval icon paintings, ancient Egyptian reliefs and more primitive styles of illustration. Modern art in contrast to classical reduces form to the basic details without sacrificing feeling or sense of motion. My goal as an artist, particularly as a graphic artist, is to find a way to express in line and color a representational image without losing the big picture; the heart and feeling of the subject. As those readers who fence understand, fencing is all about heart, a fact that I hope you will come to appreciate throughout the course of my story.
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