Ref ratings

[fencerontheline]

what's your highest rating as a ref?

I'm just curious to see how many refs are among us

[DJ Apostrophe]

Only taken the epee test so far (probably will take the sabre one this season), I have my 4 as of the last meeting.

-w

[oso97]

the "triple nickle" here (5's in all three weapons). Though I just got an invite to Overland Park and I'm hoping to be observed for a 4, at least in sabre, there.

[acaba]

I took the ref test mostly for education. A 7 in epee is all I need to help out at local tournaments, and I have no real desire to ref nationally.

[Kettu]

I would like to take the referee test for information and low-level use myself, however I know not all the steps involved in obtaining such a test. I've read that one may acquire a sample or practice test from the USFA, must then attend a sanctioned seminar and then be given the test. Does each division or region hold these seminars independently, or would I have to fly to California?

[oiuyt]

I would like to take the referee test for information and low-level use myself, however I know not all the steps involved in obtaining such a test. I've read that one may acquire a sample or practice test from the USFA, must then attend a sanctioned seminar and then be given the test. Does each division or region hold these seminars independently, or would I have to fly to California? :huh:

The practice test is the study guide. Actually the REAL test is basically the study guide (the study guide is a testbank of questions, but it's barely larger than the test (30 out of 32 sabre questions are used in the test, etc.). A newly updated (as of November) is now available on the FOC website.

Clinics are offered by a number of people around the country. There's a list of authorized people on the FOC site. Whether or not there are any being offered in your area depends greatly on where your area is and who there is offering them. Many of the clinic givers schedule clinics when there is enough demand for one. Or someone will get together enough people and coordinate with a clinic giver to hold one.

And, of course, the USFA offers the clinic in two-part sessions twice at summer nationals, once towards the beginning of the week, once towards the end.

Hope that helps.

-B :)

[oiuyt]

Of course I just looked at your location. CT is a good spot.

Candlewood Fencing is hosting a referee clinic March 6th. Talk to Tom in advance if you're interested. Presumably he (or possibly he and Bruce Gilman) will be teaching it.

Periodically clinics are held in Boston, or at other area locations. People in New England that can give the clinic include: Jon Moss, Attilio Tass, Bill Shipman, Dave Blake, Paul Harris, and Tom Ciccarone. Not sure if there are any others, but that's already more than most anywhere else in the country.

-B :)

[Kettu]

Excellent, I'll try and contact Mr. Ciccarone immediately. I thank you greatly.

[Inquartata]

I have heard that there are alternatives to having to take the clinic before testing, such as interviewing with the Right People. True, or is the clinic mandatory for all?

( I have had the clinic but failed the test. Arrogance: what, me, need to study? Pfft! )

[oiuyt]

Officially the clinic is required for all.

I know a fencer who took and passed the test, but hadn't taken the clinic (in theory even sitting the test requires having taken the clinic, but they didn't ask and he's one of those oblivious to requirements types and figured it'd all work out). Whoops. No clinic, guess your test result no longer counts. Had to subsequently take the clinic and then pass the test again. Okay, so he didn't find the Right People to interview with.

Do some people get through without the clinic? Probably. Is it common? Probably not. Is the FOC working to make it less common? I believe so. Probably most such occasions are oversights rather than someone working personal connections for a shortcut.

-B :)

[Katman]

I am a 10 in foil, though I have yet to actually ref foil at a tournament (other than my practical, of course). I really should take the stupid epee test already.