Strip Length for "Local" competitions

[erik_blank]

All these years I've never taken a good look at the USFA Ops-Manual, and thus have alsways been reading the rule book. I know that many years ago, the strip length was extended to the official 14 meters, but I never realized that the USFA had a multi-step length/width requirements depending on the 'level' of competition.

Frankly, I don't like this. It means that when fencing in local competitions I may be forced to work on a strip much smaller than what I will be using in divisiona/national venus.

5) A sanctioned tournament or competition must meet the USFA Rules of Competition,
including the layout of strips in the facility. Minimum requirements for such strip
configuration are divided by the level at which the competitions are held. See
Appendix N for strip specifications.
a. Local: Fencing strips need to be at least 1 meter wide and 12 meters long, with
adequate run-off. They need not be grounded. Scoring apparatus can be
located at a reasonable position along the strip, ensuring clear visibility for the
referee’s line of sight to the fencing; with placement at the center of the strip
optimal. The final two meters of the strip must be clearly marked. In regards
to the run off, if the facility does not have the means for exact compliance,
accommodations must be made in how the strip usage is handled. For
example, if there is insufficient room for the proper length of the strip, then
the fencer must be given opportunity in use of the strip to have an equivalent
amount of strip during the bouts.

b. Regional/Qualifier: Fencing strips need to be at least 1.2 meters wide and 14

meters long, with adequate run-off. When possible, finals strips should be
grounded. Scoring apparatus must be clearly visible from either end of the
strip with placement at the center of the strip optimal for the referee. The final
two meters of the strip must be clearly marked
c. National: Fencing strips must conform to the FIE rules regarding length, width
and placement of the scoring machines at the center point of the fencing strip.
All strips at national USFA tournaments are required to start the tournament
with FIE standard scoring machines equipped with visible bout timing and
scoring. This motion is effective November 2006. [BOD, Sept. 2006].

[oiuyt]

I believe that the shorter strips rules were added to the Ops Manual as part of the revisions made a year or two ago. I don't recall them being in the 2000 edition (the previous version).

I'm decidedly not a fan, but also recognize that many divisions simply don't have access (or have limited access, such that qualifiers are okay, but not enough for a full schedule) to venues that can accomidate full strips.

That said, I, personally, am unlikely to return to a second tournament in a venue where shortened strips are used.

-B

[Jay Kominek]

What constitutes "adequate" run off?

[edew]

1.5 to 2 meters of free space behind the end line.

[KD5MDK]

I agree with oiuyt that it's just not worth going to tournaments with undersized strips.

[schlager7]

This is actually a topic that has provoked MUCH heated debate within my own division.

There have been tournaments at some clubs with 10- and 12-meter strips and only inches of run off where the end terminates at a wall. This provoked some dissatisfaction by fencers visiting from other clubs.

It came to a point that our Division EC began work on a Divisional Ops Manual which would be somewhat more strict that the National Ops Manual with regard to strips. Of course, opponents point to the National Ops Manual to counter.

At least one club, just to avoid the heat, ran only youth events (well under C1 events) so that the question of whether a 10 meter strip event should be sanctioned or not never came up.

Then there are coaches and parents of rival clubs attending tournaments who just start measuring a host club's strips to see if they can catch them short.

Personally, I think they should all be 14-meters, but it also just seems to give the more arguementative factions one more thing to beef about.

[bigdawg2121]

I, on the other hand, tend only to fence at local tournaments with shorter than regulation strips and find them to be considerably more worthwhile than others with regulation strips...

[Goldgar]

In its current location, my club has nice, full-size strips, but for many years it was in a location where the strips were decidedly short. But it was the only place to fence in quite a large area, so people coped.

I agree that short or narrow strips are not optimal, but I think the ops manual's wording is appropriate to the real world.

[Jay Kominek]

1.5 to 2 meters of free space behind the end line.

Ah, I should've looked at the ops manual instead of just relying on the excerpt. I didn't realize it had a copy of the diagram from the rules indicating 1.5 to 2 meters.

There have been tournaments at some clubs with 10- and 12-meter strips and only inches of run off where the end terminates at a wall. This provoked some dissatisfaction by fencers visiting from other clubs.

The lack of run off seems, to me, especially disconcerting. It effectively eliminates the ability to back your opponent off the strip, which is a part of the game, however infrequent.

[mfp]

The lack of run off seems, to me, especially disconcerting. It effectively eliminates the ability to back your opponent off the strip, which is a part of the game, however infrequent.

The lack of run off can also allow a fencer to back up and avoid certain types of attacks. I've found that a brick or glass wall 12 or so inches from the end of a strip can strongly discourage fleches.

[KD5MDK]

I call it my "Tactical Barricade".

[MyrddinsPrecint]

I see a lot of narrow strips and not many short ones. Thoughts?

[Goldgar]

I see a lot of narrow strips and not many short ones. Thoughts?

Which I'd prefer, short vs. narrow, is going to depend heavily on how short, and how narrow. For the way I fence, 1 meter is usually plenty wide enough, and I'd rather have that width and a full length.

I've certainly fenced people who like to use the full width of the strip. Those people might well prefer a full width at the expense of some length.

[epeemike81]

I, on the other hand, tend only to fence at local tournaments with shorter than regulation strips and find them to be considerably more worthwhile than others with regulation strips...

I assume you're talking correlation and not causation here and that the local club which runs the best tournaments happens to be the one with shorter than regulation strips...

You're not saying that they're better BECAUSE of the short strips, right?

-m

[Neinteen]

I agree with oiuyt that it's just not worth going to tournaments with undersized strips.

Yeah, like a lot of tournaments around me have really short strips where if you're pushed off, you're already on another strip.

Sucks in foil where you can just extend your arm and get a touch.

[Craig]

I, on the other hand, tend only to fence at local tournaments with shorter than regulation strips and find them to be considerably more worthwhile than others with regulation strips...

But if the ops manual ever designated how much a fencing room was allowed to smell...

[seak]

hahahahahaha................................yeah

[Neinteen]

But if the ops manual ever designated how much a fencing room was allowed to smell...

Don't take allergy medication before a tournament. Just let it run!

( love that song! )

[the ancient one]

Strip too short?

Just make it into a circle, say 6m OD and 4m ID.



No. I am not serious.

[acaba]

The lack of run off can also allow a fencer to back up and avoid certain types of attacks. I've found that a brick or glass wall 12 or so inches from the end of a strip can strongly discourage fleches.

I remember fencing in a Mid-west sectionals many years ago where the strips were set up in an upper story (7th or 8th floor?) of an old warehouse. I remember that one of the strips backed up to a wall, and just offset from the strip was a door that opened onto a fire escape with a many story drop. Kinda makes you wonder how strong the reel cord is...

Aaron