Does a minute mean a minute?

[jjefferies]

The one minute breaks between periods. Do the fencers have to take the whole minute or for instance after 30 seconds can they say we're ready to continue and begin without waiting for the whole minute?

[edew]

They may. The referee is not obligated to, um, oblige them. Obviously, the referee will not oblige them if they want more than 1 minute.

[Mac A. Bee]

The referee is not obligated to, um, oblige them. Obviously, the referee will not oblige them if they want more than 1 minute.

I use Charles A.'s "Test" call at 50 seconds to expedite. The fencers come on guard at the minute's expiration. A vet fencer insisted he had a full minute to rest.

[damianip]

I use Charles A.'s "Test" call at 50 seconds to expedite. The fencers come on guard at the minute's expiration. A vet fencer insisted he had a full minute to rest.

Which he duly received, correct?

Paolo

[Nolano]

Unless I'm especially bushed, I usually just lie down on the strip for about 50 seconds then stand back at the En guarde line by the minutes end.

[edew]

And if you were totally bushed, you lie down for the full 60 seconds?

[Redblade]

The short descriptions given throughout the Athlete Handbook (beginning with "Competition Format" at 2.10.4) use the verbs "is" and "are." Ditto with the Operations Manual. No hint that the rest period lengths are optionally shorter than a minute, might be, could be, should be, depending on whether the fencers agree to a shorter break. ... Just one minute.

[bigdawg2121]

Which he duly received, correct?

Paolo

Prevailing theory generally holds that the ref can call you back to test etc a little early. If the ref calls at 50 sec, the time it takes you to get back to the line, test weapons and assume an en guarde position will probably take you longer than a minute. If you refuse to kinda mosey toward the center to get things started your ref could be just as stubborn and card for delay of bout or refusal to obey instructions. You get a minute, not more, right?

[seven6ty]

Prevailing theory generally holds that the ref can call you back to test etc a little early. If the ref calls at 50 sec, the time it takes you to get back to the line, test weapons and assume an en guarde position will probably take you longer than a minute. If you refuse to kinda mosey toward the center to get things started your ref could be just as stubborn and card for delay of bout or refusal to obey instructions. You get a minute, not more, right?

You get a minute to do what you please with it. Meaning, you don't have to check bells, weapons, or any other bout related things. At the conclusion of the minute, you are required to comply with weapons checks, etc, but not during that minute.

[Fencergrl]

And if you were totally bushed, you lie down for the full 60 seconds?

No, I suspect he takes a short nap.

[Nolano]

Both correct!

I like lying down on the strip. It's somehow satisfying, and if I'm ahead, it kinda projects a relaxed care free vibe. Which hopefully unnerves my opponent. Or maybe it doesn't do anything.

[wwalkerjr]

You get a minute to do what you please with it. Meaning, you don't have to check bells, weapons, or any other bout related things.

As long as you keep at least one foot on the strip.

[seven6ty]

As long as you keep at least one foot on the strip.

...Until the ref reminds you to keep one foot on the strip.

[Empty Wallet]

Is the minute break just for the fencers, or is it also for the referee?

The ref could need a break for being able to re-focus, having stood up all day, etc. So the fencers could say they are ready, but the ref says wait until I have had my rest.

With the kids I have seen fencers waiting to restart, but the refs sitting, having some water, etc

[oiuyt]

Don't forget using it for a commercial break....

-B

[UlrikeDG]

Don't forget using it for a commercial break....

And the replays.

[KD5MDK]

Is there anything about the expiration of time in a period that makes a challenge more likely than any other time during the bout?

[fencerbill]

Is the minute break just for the fencers, or is it also for the referee?

The ref could need a break for being able to re-focus, having stood up all day, etc. So the fencers could say they are ready, but the ref says wait until I have had my rest.

With the kids I have seen fencers waiting to restart, but the refs sitting, having some water, etc

Is it really a break for the referee? You have to stay alert that fencers don't change weapons. Careless ref is just the opportunity to disconnect weapon from body cord then pick up that special weapon that otherwise wouldn't pass weight test. Or the one that has the real smooth point but only one tip screw.

Or would that be dirty fencing?

[Empty Wallet]

Is it really a break for the referee? You have to stay alert that fencers don't change weapons. Careless ref is just the opportunity to disconnect weapon from body cord then pick up that special weapon that otherwise wouldn't pass weight test. Or the one that has the real smooth point but only one tip screw.

Or would that be dirty fencing?

Being neither a fencer nor a referee, I do not know what is supposed to occur. Having officiated other sports, I do know that I required a break as well as the competitors.

As indicated, I have seen refs sit, have a drink. I have even seen them go over to other strips and chat with other refs. All in the 1 minute break.

[peet]

Is it really a break for the referee? You have to stay alert that fencers don't change weapons. Careless ref is just the opportunity to disconnect weapon from body cord then pick up that special weapon that otherwise wouldn't pass weight test. Or the one that has the real smooth point but only one tip screw.

Or would that be dirty fencing?

Sometimes it is nice to sit down for all 60 seconds. A ref might have a nice little sit-down and still keep an eye on things.

Ref'ing for 12-15 hours in a day can be hell on the feet if you don't sit down as much as possible.

-p