Educating on Fencing Rules/actions

[cfaustus]

In a recent thread the poster asked what he could do (in FOIL) if someone attack but before delivering the attack they bent their arm and then re-straightened it in another line. Most agreed that the attacking fencer lost ROW upon bending the arm but regained it once the arm was again extending. Discussion ensued about the pluses and minuses of attempting a stop hit/ attack in prep while the fencer's arm was bent but prior to it re-extending.

One thing which I find mildly disturbing is that by all accounts we seemed to agree that it might be possible to perform an attack in prep or some other coupe d'arrette with ROW in one's favor. Yet, as many have experienced, this is most likely to be called as a counter-attack, even if one hits on target and especially if there is a double hit. I have heard numerous lamentations of calls similar to this. Far too many to simply be mistakes made by directors due to the speed of the blades/fencers. It seems to me that there are a great many directors who just plain call actions incorrectly. I know that the USFA tries to train refs and give ref ratings etc, but I was wondering what any of you are doing more locally/regionally to fix this apparrent problem.

Here in Wisconsin, M. Gilham had a clinic a year ago to help people understand the rules better. We had a very good discussion on a number of controversial rules and actions. It helped coaches, refs and fencers alike to better understand the current rules. It was rather informal but still very informative. I thought this might be a good thing to do even several times a year. Would something like this done more often among local fencing groups be 1) beneficial in spreading a proper interpretation of fencing rules/actions and 2) be viable for you in your locations. Also, do you guys do anything else special, perhaps within your own salles, to help all members get a better understanding of the rules and actons? Of course, this forum is an excellent educational venue, but not all fencers are on here.

[oso97]

Here in the Southwest we do this kind of a thing on a regular basis.

[Craig]

Also, do you guys do anything else special, perhaps within your own salles, to help all members get a better understanding of the rules and actons? Of course, this forum is an excellent educational venue, but not all fencers are on here.

We make fencers direct bouts and then point out any 'blown calls' after the bout.

There are two things to do:
(1) Train the fencers to be better referees so that they know the rules and how to properly officiate when they are called upon.

(2) Train the fencers to get one light actions so that there is no room for a blown call.

Not sure which is easier.

Craig