Junior Olympics

[Hpotash]

My daughter is a first timer going to the JO's in Colorado in February. Anyone having any experience or info about the format of the tournament , any tips, etc. - we'd love to read about them!

[fencerwallet]

Stay warm, have fun. Don't eat every meal at the hotel.

[oiuyt]

Formats for all national events are given in the Athlete's Handbook.

Tips -- enjoy 16th St.

-B

[brtech]

There is a lot of info on this forum, search for it. 99% of the people you will find at JOs are nice, and helpful. When in doubt, ask anyone, they're likely to be very helpful. JOs is a big tournament, with thousands of kids and parents and coaches and staff. It's really easy to get lost, literally and figuratively.

The real important stuff: know when you need to register and be in line on time.
Get equipment checked the day before if at all possible. Get your coach to check all equipment before you go. Masks, cords and lames are checked and MARKED at the armory.

Listen for the announcements and check the bulletin boards when strip assignments are posted. Get to the assigned strip immediately with all equipment.

Pay attention to your number in the pool and listen for the announcements of when you are in the hole or on deck. Check the pool sheet so you know when your next pool bout will be. Don't leave the strip until the pool is over, and then SIGN THE POOL SHEET.

Rules are enforced, probably more uniformly than local tournaments. Know the rules and be ready. For example, they ALWAYS make you go back to the on guard line and salute.

Of course, the number one rule is: have fun!!!

[Li'l Bebe]

Be sure to go explore the city some! Some of my best times at tourny's have come from just wandering around, seeing what there is to see.

[oiuyt]

Be sure to go explore the city some! Some of my best times at tourny's have come from just wandering around, seeing what there is to see.

Yeah, definitely check out the hotel, the convention center, AND the airport. Be a waste not to see it all.

-B

[KD5MDK]

There's usually at least one chance to have dinner elsewhere than a concession stand! Well, for most of us. Some even get two.

[pacer]

IF you have any questions about Denver I'll gladly do the best I can to answer them. As one of the locals who are working on/at the JO's I'll provide more information about local things as I get it.

[brtech]

IF you have any questions about Denver I'll gladly do the best I can to answer them. As one of the locals who are working on/at the JO's I'll provide more information about local things as I get it.

Ahem.

Best beer/brewpub in walking distance from venue? Armorers gotta have fun.

Other dinner suggestions within walking distance?
Closest Starbucks or equivalent?

Gonna have us a large LOC crew for the event itself? You gotta a high bar coming off the Albuquerque LOC.

[alan swan]

JO's is a very big tournament. Very big! It might be a little overwhelming. You need to pay attention to announcements and postings of the pools and DE's. Don't be afraid to ask someone who looks like they know what's going on. If you can, get there the day before to get your weapons/mask/body cord/lame checked. It will also help to see the venue and how crazy it can be.

[remise]

My daughter was so overwhelmed by all of the fencers and the sheer numbers of people there (she never competed in a large tournament). She was placed across from fencers far more experienced - so make sure your child is aware of the high level fencers at these events. Some fencers are screamers and my daughter was unprepared for that. The incessant screaming from one opponent and the yelling from the sidelines unnerved her.

Be prepared to run into some competitors that are very intense, that yell, and bring a gallery of yellers with them. My daughter lost her bout 5-2, and her opponent and gallery shouted vigorously after the bout. The ref went over to the fencer and her coach and said,"You know, this was her (gestures towards my daughter) first big tournament." Both coach and fencer approached my daughter and congratulated her on her efforts at that.

For some kids, the experience is sensory overload.

[RebelFencer]

The ref went over to the fencer and her coach and said,"You know, this was her (gestures towards my daughter) first big tournament." Both coach and fencer approached my daughter and congratulated her on her efforts at that.

For some kids, the experience is sensory overload.

That was very cool of them.

[eac]

Second the sensory overload idea. It takes a very peculiar taste to enjoy a guy trying to run you down, poke you and scream in your face, a ref carding you for things you don't understand, and people outside the pod screaming for and against you, while you try to hear what your coach is yelling for you to do.

[Mo]

Be prepared to run into some competitors that are very intense, that yell, and bring a gallery of yellers with them. My daughter lost her bout 5-2, and her opponent and gallery shouted vigorously after the bout. The ref went over to the fencer and her coach and said,"You know, this was her (gestures towards my daughter) first big tournament." Both coach and fencer approached my daughter and congratulated her on her efforts at that.

For some kids, the experience is sensory overload.

There are a few teams out there whose cheering for their teammate is more "jeering." I feel like it is really bad sportsmanship. There is a team from Chicago that is particularly bad at doing it.
When kids are fencing each other, the loud, rude and obnoxious yelling should just not be allowed. That is one thing that really annoys the crap out of me.
They are kids, fencing kids or people, fencing people. The activity should stand on it's own. Polite heartfelt clapping at the end of a well fought bout is always in good taste.
Supportive cheering is also good but everyone knows when it crosses the line into rudeness. Grrrrr

The Momster

[keropie]

Well, the problem is that not everyone knows when it crosses the line. There reaches a point where everyone will agree that it's rude, but take 10 people, and you'll probably get 4 different opinions about where, exactly, it has crossed the line.

Only once as an official did I ever reprimand spectators who were cheering. It was at a collegiate event, where evidently part of the traditional cheer was something along the lines of 'Go Us, <expletive_deleted_that_starts_with_f> You.' They actually tried to argue that it was simply their cheer, and I said 'I don't care, because I have enough Grp 3 red cards for all of you.' At least they didn't do it again.

[Squall_Leonhart]

Part of competing in any sport is learning and utilizing the mental strength to face any obstacle, even if it's rude.

[RebelFencer]

'Go Us, <expletive_deleted_that_starts_with_f> You.'

Ahhh, the beauty is in the simplicity.

[Phaeton]

Why don't we just sticky a JO thread? There've been scores of these resently, that or I can't remember what I've just read.

[oiuyt]

PM Criag or Gav with the suggestion.

Should probably also sticky a Columbus thread and one of the Atlanta threads while they're at in.

-B