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Preacher · 05-12-2006, 11:12 AM

This was just a quick question on how many years a letter rating is good for before it is down graded to the letter before? Does it go by competitive year or is it done by the actual year?

RebelFencer · 05-12-2006, 11:12 AM

Four actual years.

Philistine · 05-12-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelFencer

Four actual years.

But what does that mean?

As I understand the question, the issue is does it revert to the next lowest letter on January 1st, the beginning of a new calender year, or on August 1st, the beginning of a new "USFA" year. (E.g. an A02 becomes a B07 on Jan. 1, 2007 or a B06 on Aug. 1 2006).

I used to know the answer, but I've forgotten--but I'm thinking it's most likely Aug. 1st.

Anyone know the actual time?

--Philistine

DJ Apostrophe · 05-12-2006, 11:28 AM

It drops at the changeover of membership year... Someone who earned thier A in 2002 (doesn't matter if it was January 1, 2002 or December 31, 2002) will become a B2006 on August 1, 2006 if they have not renewed it by then.

-w

RebelFencer · 05-12-2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philistine

But what does that mean?

As I understand the question, the issue is does it revert to the next lowest letter on January 1st, the beginning of a new calender year, or on August 1st, the beginning of a new "USFA" year.

I used to know the answer, but I've forgotten--but I'm thinking it's most likely Aug. 1st.

Anyone know the actual time?

--Philistine

*sighs* It means four years. Four seasons. Four one year membership cyclings. All regardless of your competitiveness. Just renew the rating and don't worry about it.

Philistine · 05-12-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelFencer

*sighs* It means four years.

Actually it doesn't mean 4 years. It's anywhere from 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 years, depending on when it was earned.

Quote:

Four seasons. Four one year membership cyclings.

That's the problem with your answer. 4 "years" does not equal 4 "seasons" (or even membership cyclings). As a result of the fact that ratings are earned as per the calender year, but lost by membership year.

Not a big deal, but it is confusing.

Quote:

Just renew the rating and don't worry about it.

Smacks forehead. Of course! Silly Preacher. Just go out and re-earn your rating.

--Philistine

fencingfrog · 05-12-2006, 04:26 PM

ok, i don't have a rating, and im not very smart about them, so please don't get all sarcastic at my question. if you earn a C for example, and at your next tournament get a D, does your rating drop, or do you keep the higher one?

epeemike81 · 05-12-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fencingfrog

ok, i don't have a rating, and im not very smart about them, so please don't get all sarcastic at my question. if you earn a C for example, and at your next tournament get a D, does your rating drop, or do you keep the higher one?

the rating is a high water mark measure. you keep the higher one.

-m

DJ Apostrophe · 05-12-2006, 04:31 PM

Ratings are high water marks... meaning they show your highest placing in the past four years. The only way they go down is with time.

-w

fencingfrog · 05-12-2006, 04:44 PM

thanks lots! that actually does make the most sense.

mrbiggs · 05-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelFencer

Four actual years.

Four years each. So if you were an A00, you'll be an E16 eventually, and you won't be a U until 2020. It's kind of a weird setup, but whatever.

tbryan · 05-12-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbiggs

Four years each. So if you were an A00, you'll be an E16 eventually, and you won't be a U until 2020. It's kind of a weird setup, but whatever.

Then again, if you've ever met an competitive A or B who took 5 or 10 years off and then showed up at your gym one night....it's fairly accurate. If they've maintained any sort of conditioning, they're often competitive with the Cs in the club after just a couple of practices.

HDG · 05-12-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbryan

Then again, if you've ever met an competitive A or B who took 5 or 10 years off and then showed up at your gym one night....it's fairly accurate. If they've maintained any sort of conditioning, they're often competitive with the Cs in the club after just a couple of practices.

If this A let his or her membership lapse, does their rating terminate with the lapse so that they would come back as a U?

tbryan · 05-12-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDG

If this A let his or her membership lapse, does their rating terminate with the lapse so that they would come back as a U?

Good question.

Having done it myself (letting my membership lapse, not earning an A), I don't think so. If I remember correctly, the USFA looked up my old membership info and reactivated my old membership ID when I signed up again. I don't remember whether I had to do anything special to get them to do that. I still had my old, expired card and knew my membership number. Of course, in my case, I was only out of the sport for 3 or 4 years. I have no idea how long the USFA attempts to keep records.

oiuyt · 05-12-2006, 11:05 PM

IIRC the USFA will know about you if you were ever a member after (I THINK) 1994. Of course with a common name, after a change of address, and marking "new member" one might slip through.

-B

MyrddinsPrecint · 05-13-2006, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epeemike81

the rating is a high water mark measure. you keep the higher one.

-m

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Apostrophe

Ratings are high water marks... meaning they show your highest placing in the past four years. The only way they go down is with time.

-w

two posts from two people in the exact same minute using the exact same icon with the exact same phrase.

do you think the two of you might spend some time together?

hell, people might start thinking the two of you live together or something............

larkmaj · 05-13-2006, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

two posts from two people in the exact same minute using the exact same icon with the exact same phrase.

do you think the two of you might spend some time together?

hell, people might start thinking the two of you live together or something............

They often seem to post on the same thread at about the same time. Though this time they both answered the same question with the same answer. Usually one just agree's with the other's post.

Frank Pratt · 05-13-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

two posts from two people in the exact same minute using the exact same icon with the exact same phrase.

do you think the two of you might spend some time together?

hell, people might start thinking the two of you live together or something............

Perhaps we should get Craig to check their IP addresses to make sure they are not actually one in the same.

KD5MDK · 05-13-2006, 12:36 PM

Wouldn't do any good, if they live behind a NAT device of any kind, including most home "routers".

Preacher · 05-13-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Pratt

Perhaps we should get Craig to check their IP addresses to make sure they are not actually one in the same.

Looks that way don't it...I mean look at their profile...I'm mean both think they can fence sabre and epee.

Just kidding guys....they are two different people....they do live together..but thank god they don't share the same bed...