Foil information

[ShadyLane]

Hi,

This is my 4th year fencing foil and I was wondering where would I start to look to get more information about rules and such. I have done judging for maybe a few times in the club (regular matches) when asked, even though I suck at it. I can sometimes but not always tell who has right of way since it goes too fast for my eyes to see as well as who hit who first, etc. I haven't learned much about how to ref, only SOME basics. Where would I look to find out more on what constitutes right of way and how long would a person have right of way if they extended their arm for quite some time, etc.

Oh yeah, I'm from BC, Canada so I'm not sure if rules in the US is the same as Canada.

Thanks!

[mrbiggs]

The best way to learn is to watch good directors direct.

For information, there are three places that work:

1. The rulebook--it doesn't have anything wrong in it, unlike #2 and #3. But it doesn't include interpretations of the rules, and I can't imagine someone reading through it to learn to direct. (Also, I don't know if there's an equivalent to the referee's handbook in Canada; I'd think there is.)
2. Other people--rated directors and your coach can answer your basic questions. Sometimes they're wrong, and sometimes they're hard to access, though.
3. Fencing.net--it contains some wrong information (though if you know who to listen to, it's quite possible to separate the right from the wrong). Also, most of the discussions here are pretty high-level.

I hope this helps.

[SJB]

The CFF website contains each and every rule pertaining to Canadian fencing.

Granted, the rule book isn't a thrilling read.

[esskreemr]

I recommend getting some dvds of high-level fencing action. Watch, rewatch, rewind, pause. See why the director calls it the way he/she does. It will help you start getting 'feel' of how a certain action is called when it takes place at high speed.

[remise]

I also began watching bouts and seeing how the ref called them versus how I would have called them. By doing this, if what the ref is calling matches what you thought the action was, you know you're improving.