The future of fencing

[Dragon46]

A lot of considerable changes have been occured in fencing for the last 15-20 years. As all living, this kind of sport is constantly developing. Regulations of holding competitions are updating and correcting, aslo the principles of judging of the fencing bout is changing, there are also some changes in the equipment of the athletes, e.t.c. In my reasoning and suggestions i will stick to two principles, which, from my point of view, are the most important.:
1) not to harm
2) to create conditions for: a) the best holding of the fencing bout (technical equipment of the fencing piste, competent refereeing with accurate and standart following all the rules. b) for the best holding of the competitions of different levels according to the technical task, regulations and rang. c) for the best perception of the fencing bout both for athletes, coaches and for spectators.
There are some kinds of sport with a history of many years – popular and kinds of sport which are not mass. Name them small-scale.
Tennis – is a centuries-old history kind os sport. For the period of all its history the competition rules have not changed. It never came to anybody’s mind to change the size of a tennis court or a ball. Or to change the scoring system from 15-30-40 to 1-2-3-5 or to give them a new term – POINT (score). Dressage – is also a centuries-old history kind of sport. Nobody managed to use camels instead of horses, and I am absolutely sure they will not do it. In archery they do not use rules of a trendy paintball.
That is - the foundations are stable for more than 10 years or even centuries but in such a not very popular sport as fencing huge changes have been made. I would like you to pay your particular attention – FOR THE LAST 15-20 years.
Yes, it is necessary to make changes but very carefully, step by step, analyzing all the actions, because, adding something new (minor) one can affects and possibly make worse the foundations (major). It is necessary to test constantly updating equipment and apparatus. They should check the changes in the rules and organization of the competitions in a test mode of the competitions. For example, electrification in saber has been introducing for a long period of time, steadily, on different tournaments in training mode, in unofficial tournaments for one and a half of the Olympic cycle. Holding of the Grand-Prix with the use of the video refereeing system which entailed cardinal changes in the principles of the organization and holding of the competitions started 3 years ago, practically from scratch.
In many kinds of sport the rules, their interpretation – the main principles of holding of the competitions do not change for tens of years. In basketball – travelling, foul (touching of an opponent), block, pass, end and side lines. In tennis – number and rules of serving, sets, games, score. In football – playing with the hand and time of the match. Please, notice, that even the role of the head referee prevails over the filming and photography. There is no doubt, that technical progress, advanced technology influence positively on sport – the quality and of holding of the competitions, their attractiveness. However, I think, that, we should never overpass a certain line, to simplify competitions, to adapt them to spectators in order to please them.
Most people will say: those who does not work, do not make suggestions – they do not make mistakes. I agree with it. But we do not have any right to make mistakes! It is necessary to remember that these are athletes, their work and enormous efforts. Introducing anything new into fencing (rules, equipment, refereeing, competitions) we should not forget about the main characters – fencers. Experiments and tests are necessary and useful but not during the official competitions where the price of each hit is very high; there where the athletes participating in the competitions and stand on the piste have years of trainings and lessons in methodological, technical and tactical aspects behind which have not been changed each year: where the refereeing is transparent and understandable and is not a subject for making any changes or correctness.

We have became the witness of the controversy in the fencing world during the last several years. Is it the right course FIE heads its ship? A lot of questions have been touched but unfortunately, FIE gives answers to these questions without any wish, excessively politicizing the problems and does not express a desire for taking criticism (very often, in my opinion, fair).
The main mistakes are the following:
- Everything which was in the past – is bad and must be updated, fencing needs improvements for better.
- they should improve situation as soon as possible.
- Coaches and their methods are out of date and do not fit with the time.
- Only FIE governing body and only it knows how to do, when to do, what to do for fencers to show qualitative, modernized fencing of XXI century.
- FIE – is an organizational monster, providing a total control in the fencing world
- Rashness and unreasoning in making decisions.

I think, it is necessary to analyze coldly and clear the events which have happened in fencing for the last years with understanding of which decisions have been taken what it resulted in. It is necessary to make for drawing conclusions and making amendments.

[DavidX]

wtf? why is the most important part of fencing the wiccan rede?

You cannot take on the FIE - their necromancers will turn you into a french zombie that eats electrified bibs.

[Dragon46]

Foil

In 1972 during the World championships in Rome a fencer Vladimir Smirnov was tragically died. The reason is insufficient protection of the fencers’ equipment plus the increased physical conditions of the athletes – fencing becomes more athletic. Smirnov, Stankevich, Barella, Cherioni – are powerful, physically gifted athletes. During several years FIE held a laborious task concerning the protective equipment of the fencers. The results of the FIE technical commission were the appearance of the masks with a more tough mesh, fencing costumes on the basis of “Kevlar” material and also blades made from “Mareydging” steel – service life of such blades increase and they reduce the risk to receive injury. The process of stabilization has been occurred during several years. In spite of the fact that the equipment has risen in price it was a well thought-out and right decision. A method of testing the quality of the protective equipment has been worked-through. No serious incident has been registered from the beginning of the use of the new equipment.
In 1995-1996 an event which from the first point of view seemed not very notable but, in my opinion, very important one took place and later it influenced the developing of fencing in the world. In connection, of the opening of the new laboratory for certifying blades, under the guidance of Mr. Ussareck (France), and the new methods of testing of the blades (different from the method, approved by FIE and held by Mr. Rameo (Italy)) new blades different of their linear parameters from the blades produced earlier. Blades were difficult in controlling but very flexible (standing a great amount of flexures). It was difficult for athletes , sticking to established school, to fence with such blades. It became impossible “To play” with the opponent’s blade. But finally, safety prevailed. During 5-6 years fencers had changed their approaches, coaches started to change the methods of trainings. It was useless to teach athletes to hit straight. They should teach him to “throw arm” and using large amplitude possibilities of the blade to make hits even in unprotected parts of the opponent. The hole generation has been brought up thanks to it. Fencing masters, many leading coaches sounded the alarm. Only one small negligence caused such a negative influence on foil fencing in the world. The absence of complex scientific and fencing approaches in producing of the fencing blades has led to this. Having realized this (not the reason) – FIE started to correct the situation rapidly.
The decision concerning the changing of the blocking of the fixation of the hit has been taken. Different changes and amendments to the rules (impossibility of using of the hard men protections, substitution of the chips in electrification of the hits).
Foil fencing started to remind “itself”. Certainly, any changes are painful. Making any amendments, it is necessary to work out the question thoroughly and to reduce as much as possible the process of completion, and present explanations.
And now, several words about the use of the wireless system of fixation of the hits. 1979 is the wireless system birth day. The place of birth – the USSR. It is a very good idea. The important thing is a good implementation. Taking into account the specifications of this system, it is important to include into the rules and approve the term of the electrification, using in the wireless fencing. In the system, worked out by STM company, electrification was in the mask of the fencer. Electrification near the piste – is the repeater of the signals.
Proposals:
1. Taking into consideration a “logic” of the foil fencing in no way we should not exclude “white lamp” from the fencing bout.
2. Not to increase the hit area at the expense of bib of the mask. This suggestion had been working for a number of years. As far as we know, new masks will be used on the official FIE senior competitions starting from the 1 st of January 2009.
3. To increase the hit area at the expense of the extension of the sleeves of the electric jacket. It is a topical question in women foil fencing (armed arm – up to the elbow, unarmed arm up to the hand). It will be resulted in reducing of the attempts to make the hit with the fixation close to the white lamp. A number of the attempts to defend with the unarmed arm will be reduced.
4. To reduce a number of hits in the direct elimination round from 15 to 10 (with an 1 minute break)
5. Taking into account a possibility of the more extensive media coverage I think it is reasonable to add into the rules of one technical break in individual events.
30 seconds for each of the athletes (in team competitions – for each of the team during the team match within the bout limits of each participant of the team match)

[Dragon46]

Saber
Taking into account certain circumstances saber is the most “wounded” kind of fencing weapon. Saber as a kind of fencing had been changed greatly for the last several years. I will make not the first and not the last attempt to understand – what happened with saber?
If the veterans of epee fencing speak about the changes to mobility, the veterans of foil fencing speak about the termination of the decline and returning to the traditional classic fencing, and veterans of saber fencing are unanimous in their incomprehension of what happens on the piste.
Saber is the last fencing kind where the electrification has been introduced. This process took 8 years. Thanks to the laborious work of FIE it was successful. Specifications and logic of saber fencing have been kept. There is no doubt that objectivity in judging of the fencing bouts has risen. Leaders kept their positions. This process has not influences on the alignment of forces in the world saber fencing.
FIE cancels FLASH! Because it harms saber fencing – FIE explained.
Than there was another blow – hit detector in saber had been abolished. Saber is the only kind of fencing where you can hit and thrust. (Principe of touching of the hit area with the blade is interpreted as PASSE and is not considered as correct one.)
Perhaps, these two decisions are the “poison” which little by little kills saber fencing. During a very short time athletes had been adapting to the new conditions and those conditions were not the best ones. Attacking actions have become too simple in their performance and it resulted in termination of use of the feints, defense and action on the blade were very rare. It became very difficult to perform them. And it led to the reduction of the arsenal of the actions. In the connection of the absence of the detector which registers the hits fencers started to use actions which reminded epee or foil. Logic of fencing phrases started to disappear, and also there is no dialog between sabers in whole.
Athletes thought up a JUMPING FLASH (the jump, reminding flash in whole, but without crossing the legs).
Everything has resulted in refereeing of the fencing bouts have become very complicated. To whom give preference? To that athlete who “shoots” his arm with an enormous speed counterattacking of the attacking fencer or to the athlete who uses the preference of the attack?
A few conflicts and controversial interpretation of the fencing phrases were registered in the period of 2001 – 2005.
Again FIE has interfered “professionally” and has taken a Solomonic decision – to make fencing more understandable and objective, has changed the blocking of the time of lighting of the lamps in saber fencing without changing the rules (FIE explanation).
According to my convictions – it is a false way! Fencers are in hard conditions. Sabers will have to learn again. Now, we are speaking about the existing of the saber as a kind of fencing. Drastic measures are needed.
Suggestions:
1) To allow the use of FLASH only in the moment of making the hit with a one-time crossing of the legs. Crossing of the legs while moving forward by steps or lunges is not allowed.
2) To study in a short period of time a technical possibility of setting of the hit detector in saber fencing. Several words about hits and thrusts in saber fencing:
I would kindly ask you to pay your particular attention on the fact that saber is a cut and thrust kind of weapon. In connection of the absence of the detector which registers hits saber fencing gradually becomes similar to cutting kinds of weapons - while making attacking or counterattacking actions fencers started to use hits with a little touch of the valid area but not thrusts. Taking into account the fact that the blocking of the signal in saber is 0.12 ml/sec and it is logical. The lamp, registering hit (thrust) is lightened. Also they use touching of the blade to the valid area during making remises and reprise of attacks refusing from counter defenses and counter ripostes. Amplitude of the blade while making a hit – is the time which the fencer loses while making thrusts and feints – that is why I think that in a short period of time most of the technical saber actions will disappear. Nowadays they discuss the question concerning the increasing of the time of register of the hits and thrusts in saber from 0.12 ml/sec to 0.25 ml/sec. – in my opinion it will neither do any harm nor improve the situation in saber fencing. In connection with the fact that in saber 85-90% of the resulting attacks or counter attacks must be made with the use of thrusts detector registering of the hits is very necessary.
There is a technical possibility of producing such detector. the detector should be produced on the basis of detectors worked out by certain companies (Allstar, Ullhman, Prior) and modify them taking into consideration the use of the new technologies.

[Dragon46]

Arbitration
For the last years we have become witness of the sharp discussion in the fencing world concerning the interpretation of the rules, work of the referees, video refereeing system, exams for referees – and the referee of the bout is in the center of these questions.
Fencing is living. It is varied. It is a technically-difficult kind of sport. Fencing is one of the “medal” kind of the Olympic program.
Referees and their work is an integral part of our kind of sport. Our aim is to make their work as much as possible objective, transparent and in methodological point of view absolutely identical. We have always demanding from them and will continue demanding from them objectiveness and professionalism.
However, we still do not understand why the interpretation of certain moments of the fencing bouts is differ from the interpretation of the same actions from the athletes’ and coaches’ point of view.
In my opinion, the answer to this is hidden in the decisions which FIE had been made for the last 20 years. I would like to mention that a great number of decisions is correct – the ideas are good but the implementation is poorly thought out, non professional.
Additions and improvements of the rules and regulations in all kinds of sport – are necessary. If there is a foundation you can always add something. But one must not break the main constructions!
What do we have now? 3 kinds of weapon – 3 fencing disciplines – there is no unification of the rules.
- Foil, epee – you need to make an effort of 500 and 750 gr in order to register a hit. In saber any touch without any effort is considered as a hit or thrust.
- Foil, epee – the use of the transparent masks in these kinds of weapon does not lead to any changes in the rules. Saber – reducing of the valid area (according to the rules in saber fencing the mask is a valid area). In World Cups we can see the following: the athletes fences in the transparent mask, his opponent in standard one – the conditions are unequal.
- Foil, epee – steps forward with crossing of the legs, flash attack – is permitted.
- Saber – no!

I think, the process of new interpreting of the rules and terms of the fencing bout is wrong. Everything what is written in the rules and had been used in practice for 40-50 years interprets in a new way and gets a new interpretation on referees’ part. FIE heads were carried to the point of absurdity by demonstrating fencing actions on video. A lot of contradictions with a real bout have been revealed. All these empty words on coach and referee meetings holding in different formats caused a lot of damages to all the saber society. But if there are new approaches so that sufficient corrections to the rules should be added. However, we do not have them. And the discussions between athletes’ coaches will be continuing for an uncertain period of time.
In my opinion, the quality of refereeing has been reduced for the last years. The process of making decisions reminds TV talk-show.
Coaches and specialists are now puzzled – how to train athletes in future? “The wave” of new interpretations of the rules, additions, explanations baffles them. Instead of concentrate their attention on training of young fencers according to the ‘school program’ , they are forced to practice those actions and tactics.


Video arbitration

The usage of video arbitrating for acquiring better impartiality in fencing is a good idea. As Mr. Roge said on the opening of FIE bureau: it is the 21st century style. The latest Olympics in Athens witnessed an incident that became the departing point in the usage of video arbitration. Team China versus team Italy match. There are various opinions on what actually happened there. Many specialists claim that political aspect dominated over professionalism.
This technical method has been broadly used in many kinds of sport for the last 10-15 years. There’s no need to numerate the kinds in which video arbitration is used in one form or another. It is utterly important to understand why video arbitration is necessary in fencing.
FIE's position is as follows: this kind of arbitration is useful for providing more objective results of fencing duel and better apprehension of the duel by the audience. This point of view is shared by everyone. The two aspects of the single problem.
1. What is the organization and the functioning (technical issues)
Unfortunately there is no manual containing the parameters of the system such as:
• What camera is used?
• What is the preferable angle of installation?
• What is the preferable height of installation?
• How far away from the fencing piste shall it be installed?
• What is the preferable illumination?
These are jus few technical issues that arise.
2. Arbitration with video.
Duel manager (i.e. the judge). This is the only person in charge with making decisions, on the basis of his own duel apprehension. His decisions must be quick and precise. With the appearance of videoarbithrarion the situation changed dramatically.
Now as he uses displays judge checks and rechecks his own decisions again and again. He may take a break and consult with his assistant. It should be mentioned that a member of the arbitration board of the FIE has the right to insist on making a particular decision and the judge has to take his opinion into consideration.
The fist assistant is a camera (a display), which monitors the duel in different angle and with different apprehension than the judge. For now it is technically impossible to display the same signal that the judge’s visual analyzers (eyes) receive. For many years on many competitions I’ve been noticing that in many cases cameras were unable to reproduce even 50% of what actually happened in the moment of cut or hit because of the wide angle that allows to fix only the back of the attacking fencer while the judge almost always stays between the two fencers.
Assistant – judge with a display. Unfortunately this observer sees what happens on the fencing piste only through the display in front of him. In most cases his place is to the side of the fencing piste.
To my mind he should have different functions.

Review of the phase d’armes in SLOW mode
This is utterly important and indispensable for fencing duels with 3 weapon types used.
Highlighting is indispensable for reviewing the following:
- exceeding the front and the side lines
--- touches and hits after the command STOP
--- piste touches
---- Core-a-core
--- protection of the attacked surface with unarmed hand
--- pushes and falls
In no case should attack, defense and counterattack actions be interpreted using SLOW mode. This technical possibility is just one of the methods of rebuilding the whole situation. And it should not be principal in fencing. There is a vast difference between the reception of the whole scene via the eyes of the judge and video.
The “OPTIMISTS” happily rub their hands!!! Complete objectivity!
But I say, this is a big mistake which might turn into replacing fencing arbiter with a smart machine!
Since the first introduction of video arbitration 3 years ago it’s rules have been changed constantly.
Where, when and under what circumstances did the video arbitration tests take place?
Who, when and how worked out the rules for this new system?
There are lots of questions. Far more than the answers there are. We’ll have to admit that once again a good idea is not worked through well enough!
It’s a pity that all the answers for the questions above we get from fencers during official competitions. Which leads to decrease in the quality of arbitration and arbiters’ fear of responcibility and making decisions.


Suggestions:

1. Minimize the quantity of the questions connected with the technical aspect of video arbitration.
Endorse and approve the technical parameters of video arbitration.
2. Senior judge mustn’t consult the display while making decisions. The display must be removed.
3. Senior judge’s assistant should only stay behind him and observes the duel under the same angle as the senior judge if possible.
4. In case there are doubts (at a pinch) senior judge may consult his assistant . the decision should be made only by senior judge.
5. Assistant has the right to invite senior judge before the display to watch the current episode once again (3 times in real time mode and twice in slow mode).
6. Assistant watches the duel same as senior judge (using display only in case of doubts)
7. Assistant cannot be a member of judiciary – only a member of arbitration board.
8. Neither a sportsman nor his coach has the right to demand showing them the video from the judge or his assistant.
9. The audience may watch the video rewind in real time mode or in slow mode (in case there is a demonstration screen) only after senior judge makes the final decision.
10. In case assistant has doubts about the decision made he must turn to the senior judge at once (giving him a sound or visual signal).

[Dragon46]

FIE arbitration board
Structure
Elections
FIE judges examination method


1. Members of the FIE arbitration board must not be elected on the FIE congress.
Their appointment must be confirmed there. The aspirants to the board must be nominated by the Continental Federations (on the proposal of the Federations).
As for now the FIE consists of 128 federations. The last world championship showed the actual situation and unfortunately almost a quarter of all the federations of the FIE didn’t take part in it. For now taking into account the development of fencing on different continents and contributions of different countries into the process and their possibilities I consider it reasonable to suggest the following:

- The board should consist of 8 members + 1 chairman
Europe -3 (sabre, foil, epee)
USA - 2 (sabre, epee)
Africa – 1 (foil, epee)
Asia - 2 (saber, epee)
The leader should be elected by secret ballot on the FIE congress on the proposal of the continental federations (each represented by 1 member)
The chairman of the board must be equally competent in all the three weapon types.



FIE judges examination method.


I am strictly against using video observation during the practical part of the examination.
It is only necessary during the theoretical part.
1. I suggest that we return to the natural course of testing.
In real duel the judge undergoes a lot more interference, audience pressure and huge visual as well as psychological load. It is necessary to design difficult situation during examination duels and use a lot more interference. All of this lets the candidates apply their theoretical knowledge in practical judging.
2. I consider it indispensable to bring in a continental testing institute. The candidates that have successfully passed the tests on their continents will be then directed by the continental federations to take FIE examinations.
3. The continental aspirants for the FIE license should be quartered.
The continental candidates should be committed to carter for satellite tournaments and cadets and juniors competitions.
4. Now there are about 540-560 FIE licensed judges (with open and non-open licenses). I suggest that we review the lists of the judges with the FIE license. The licenses of the judges with no practice during a year (at minimum 2 tournaments) should be suspended with the following reexamination.
This must be done by the continental federations.
5. Some comments and ideas on the formation of the judiciary for the most important tournaments (the world championship grand prix and world championships).
It should be taken into account that more than 50% of the judges are immediately relevant to fencing in one manner or another (coaches , representatives). Fencing is an amateur kind of sport. For many representatives of the judiciary coaching is bred-winner while judging is a hobby. All the speculations about judges being unable to participate for being coaches should be put to an end. Only a person with good theoretical and practical basis can become a good judge.
Grand Prix should be maintained by 3 to 6 judges from a single country. 1-2 for each weapon type.
Rotation is indispensable.
The judges should be appointed according to the lists of candidates presented annually by continental federations.
Transparent masks


The decision of using transparent masks was dictated rather by the possibility of making it possible for the audience to see fencing duel as a show. Unfortunately many vital issues were omitted.
Let me numerate the advantages and the disadvantages of this innovation.

Disadvantages:
1. Considerable mask ventilation decrease. Constructional peculiarities of the mask do not permit to enlarge the surface necessary for normal ventilation.
2. The mask is made of thick plastic. As a result of exposure to the opponents’ blades and guards there appear chips and scratches. There is also the dim glass effect noticed. Fencers are forced to change their masks too often.
It may affect the sight. (I would like to draw attention to the medical data received by the doctors who work with Russian fencing combined teams. They claim that lately they began to receive complaints of visual impairment from the sportsmen between 20 and 30 who have been using transparent masks for 4 to 5 years)
3. The inner side of the mask may grow misted during the duel.
4. Side vision is important in fencing and because of the transparent mask construction side vision is decreased greatly. The fencers can no longer see so called lower sectors.
5. For now it is impossible to achieve absolute conductivity of a sabre transparent mask which decreases the surface of the valid area and is against the rules.
6. The price of a transparent mask is 2.5 times higher than that of a conventional one.

Advantages:
1. The possibility for the audience to see the sportsman’s eyes. Though it is virtual and only available on TV during short slow motion period while the audience gets to observe most of the emotions expressed by the fencer only when he takes his mask off when it is permitted by the rules.


Suggestions:

1. Stop using transparent masks.

[Dragon46]

The course of competitions and the calendar

Recent years have shown the growing tendency for total monopolization of the competitions by the FIE. And the tendency acquires quite certain shapes.
All the continental championships are entered in the list under the aegis of the FIE. This concerns both invitation of judges, appointment of commissars and representatives of the arbitration board and competition, tossing and request rules. Now the plot thickens. Beginning with the season 2008-2009 the FIE will be appointing commissars and junior competition arbitration representatives on all the continents.
The FIE also influents many decisions made by continental federations.
Here are a few comments on annual calendar competitions. There are lots of competitions organized by many countries. There are also many tournaments aspiring for category A ranking. It is obvious imbalance in levels of organization and holding competitions on many continents. And this is real! I think that we must draw our attention to the quality of holding the tournaments and work through the contestants mechanism. That will help answer the question why does the A category tournament gather 18-25 people, while satellite where half of the contestants are represented by the organizing country only, 15÷åëîâåê. The position of the FIE concerning the competition calendar terms during the season is also questionable. World championship – the main season start is held in october. Category A tournaments and Grand Prix are held in December and January so often that sportsmen do not even have time to change and mangers – to buy tickets and book a hotel. There are 20 tournaments between January and July. 5 of them are Grand Prix, 2 are satellites and 13 are category a competitions. About 18 of 20 tournaments have a certain coefficient and influence on the sportsmen’s classification (by the FIE).
It is necessary to:
1. Hold only 5 Grand Prix tournaments in each weapon type:
• Europe -2;
• USA -1;
• Africa -1;
• Asia -1.
= October, November – 1 tournament;
= December, January -1 tournament;
= March -1 tournament;
= May, june -1 tournament;
= July -1 tournament.
2. Hold 5-6 World cup tournaments on 5 continents as well with the possibility for the sportsmen from foreign continents to participate in 2 tournaments at a time.
Those are 10-11 ranking tournaments.
All the rest tournaments must be held in accordance with the principle of rotation (with annual change of the organizing countries). This policy must be applied to all the tournaments with no exceptions.
1. Continental tournaments must not be held under the aegis of the FIE. It must only appoint the commissar of the competitions. The members of the arbitration board must be nominated and appointed by continental federations.
2. World championship must be held in late July - August.
3. Grand Prix tournaments should be held in couples:

sabre (women and men);
foil (women and men);
epee (women and men).

This will allow us to decrease financial costs of the organizers and the FIE, improve technique of the competitions, comply with all the organization principles and standards, stated in the competition documents more strictly.
4. Simplify the system of requests for Grand Prix and category A tournaments.
5. Provide for receiving the payment for participating in the Grand Prix tournaments in the beginning of a season in connection with sorting the tournament schedule (prepayment principle). Make final mutual settlement of accounts by the end of each season taking into account all the circumstances of participation of delegations, force majeure, traumas etc.

A few words about the principles of holding Grand Prix
A few years ago Grand Prix tournaments were included into the international practice. To all appearance the leaders of the FIE decided to change the format of these tournaments willing to highlight their exclusiveness and special meaningfulness as well as increase attendance and watchability. Only 4 pistes are used. Later it was decided to include video arbitration and use it even at the initial stages of a tournament. To my mind the idea was a no go. It didn’t bring any additional popularity, meaningfulness or objectivity to our sport. What it did bring was a whole load of organizational problems, which were left for the organizers and competitors to settle.
Example: all the tennis tournaments in the world are held identically. The Grand Slam tournaments in tennis are probably the same as Grand Prix in fencing. The rules have been followed strictly for many years. So why don’t we try and make our own Wimbledon or Rolan Garosñ? I’m convinced that Grand Prix tournaments must be held according to the standard scheme of helding category A tournaments. Video arbitration should only be used since the board 64 phaze and with wireless system of fixing cuts and hits.

[Dragon46]

Television and broadcasting
1. Recent years witness fencing racing for TV and shouting “Show us, we’re ready for almost everything”. We must get rid of the obtrusive idea of fencing for TV.
I think it should be the opposite – TV for fencing
I think television has enormous possibilities for better broadcasting of fencing competitions and duels. Using 3-4 fixed and 1-2 movable cameras and slow mode we may greatly improve the perception of fencing duel. Using all the express interviews available we may broadcast not only the beauty of fencing phases but also thoughts and emotions of the fencers after the duels and during preparation for decisive matches.
In some cases skeptics might speak of the rules that do not permit television company representatives in some cases during competitions.
I think it is more reasonable to change some points those rules than to change fencing rules concerning the vital logic and essence of our sport as we do to please television.


Tsoukhlo E.

[MdA]

Foil
In 1972 during the World championships......

I was bored half-way thru Part 1....what is this....a history lesson? If you are practicing creating a thread and making posts....you can be sure that it works...and you probably discovered the character limit for individual posts.

[pillow]

I was bored half-way thru Part 1....what is this....a history lesson? If you are practicing creating a thread and making posts....you can be sure that it works...and you probably discovered the character limit for individual posts.

You got to cut the poster some slack (just a little) as English is obviously not the first language.

However, after skimming all the posts above, I cannot disagree with the suggestion to stop using visor masks.

[Gav]

My opinion is that an essay of this length (which I've not read yet) should be posted as an abstract with an attachment. Also; the OP may wish to consider forwarding this document to his own federation... and submit it for publication in fencing magazines.

[pillow]

My opinion is that an essay of this length (which I've not read yet) should be posted as an abstract with an attachment. Also; the OP may wish to consider forwarding this document to his own federation... and submit it for publication in fencing magazines.

How about directly to the FIE?

[Gav]

How about directly to the FIE?

Unless the author is part of his country's federation - or has it's ear - then this is not likely to work. He could submit it to Escrime but I am not convinced it would get printed unless he had a contact in the right place. I've allowed my FIE licence to lapse so I've not read Escrime recently. Consequently I don't know if the editorial 'standards' have improved.

[Purple Fencer]

I was bored half-way thru Part 1....what is this....a history lesson? If you are practicing creating a thread and making posts....you can be sure that it works...and you probably discovered the character limit for individual posts.

It would also help if he was accurate....Smirnov was '82, not '72.

[eac]

I only read foil so far, but is it really true that flicking got way more prevalent when they introduced a different blade-testing method in the 90s? And, are all the dates accurate? I thought flicking went crazy in the 80s, and then stayed crazy later until 2005, but maybe took a while to trickle down to all levels.

People who were around at the time should chime in.

Also, is this a translation of an article in another language? It reminds me of a Google translation of something.

[Wetmelon]

Also, is this a translation of an article in another language? It reminds me of a Google translation of something.

Being that Dragon46 is in Russia, that is very possible. And I am unable to help translate from original language like I could if it were French...

Either he is quite decent in English, or Google Translator from Russian has gotten much better recently xD (Ever try Facebooking with a cute Russian girl when you can't read Cyrillic?)

[touchefriend]

A lot of great points, especially about visor masks and saber blades and saber fencing in general

[Inquartata]

A lot of great points, especially about visor masks and saber blades and saber fencing in general

Ah...no. Just---no.

Let's take a look.

veterans of saber fencing are unanimous in their incomprehension of what happens on the piste.

Sorry. I am such a "veteran". I understand modern sabre perfectly well. There goes "unanimous incomprehension".

– hit detector in saber had been abolished.

By this I take he is pining for the capteur. Good riddance to the worthless little nuisances. Also note that the box has been provided with a setting which works about as well as the capteurs ever did, which is to say erratically and inscrutably...

According to my convictions – it is a false way! Fencers are in hard conditions.

Yes, we know that the Russians don't like the present timings. Get over it, and leave well enough alone.

Sabers will have to learn again.

If they change the timing and the rules yet again, you mean. Yeah, we'll all have to "learn again" then. There is no good reason for it.

Drastic measures are needed.

No, they aren't.


I do agree with the animus against Lexan masks, though.

[touchefriend]

Well some of the points.....but I really do think sabre blades should resemble sabre blades and be able to score touches only on the cutting edges and point. And thats as "classical" as I get. Although I like epee and foil, I will fence sabre if neccessary to feed my habit.

[aragorn0424]

This is a translation of an article from www.rusfencing.ru written by a referee
E. Tsuchlo ( Cuchlo )