Ref'ing

[jspierre]

If you want to become a ref, what's the right path?

Can anyone outline the steps? Assume US domestic leading up to international level (and assume 1 weapon).

[Purple Fencer]

Step one: Get a REALLY thick skin!

No, really! You have ot put up with a lot of crap when you direct. In one respect, you have to NOT care about who wins, just care about applying the the rules. I make a distinct effort to toss my club affiliation out the window when I direct...and have screwed my own teammates in the process.

Contact your local divisional reps and see if a referee's clinic is coming up. When Derek Cotton runs his out in L.A. it's an 8 hour course, followed by a written test. Pass and you get your 10 rating. Anything from a 5 on up only comes after being observed at a large event like a NAC (and not botching it, like I did!)

[Peach]

Practice refereeing at your club, and offer to referee at the divisional level. Download the rule book and the referee study guide from the USFA web site. Take the referee seminar when it's offered in your division, and take the test.

If you pass the written, take your "practical," a supervised refereeing stint, which may be offered at your sectional championships, or you can do it at a Division II/III NAC or at Summer Nationals. When you take your practical, you will be refereeing real pools and real DEs, and be warned, they will use you past your ability level both to stretch you and to see how far you will go. Do not assume you will get a 5 (national) rating the first time you take your practical. You may be removed swiftly your first day and still offered a chance to do it again the next day. Prepare to have coaches and fencers complain about you and have you removed, even if you're doing a good job. Take the suggestions of the supervising referee. Ask for more suggestions. Watch the refereeing of others, and attend any referee seminars that are offered. Take the practical again. Get yourself a mentor or two, someone who is a good referee and explains himself or herself.

Don't assume you will be allowed to do only one weapon if you want your way paid to NACs. Pick up another weapon. Epee is very tough to referee because of how attentive you have to be for such a long time, but won't screw up your perception of right-of-way in foil or sabre.

You will gradually be used at a higher and higher level as you gain expertise and avoid making yourself unwelcome. Others will work with you and encourage you to take the next step if you are interested in gaining national and international experience. It will take a long time.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

You may also consider volunteering during NAC's and keeping score. You will then get to be right on the side line and have an excellent opportunity to follow and learn how the refs are calling. It is good practice to call it in your mind and see if the ref agrees.
There are some refs who explain almost all their calls which is excellent for would be refs as well as the fencers.
You can tell who is going to get the point by seeing him explaining to the fencer who did not get the point.
Be patient and be humble.

[oiuyt]

You can tell who is going to get the point by seeing him explaining to the fencer who did not get the point

That's a really bad habit that a lot of refs have. The ref should make the call to the scoring box.

-B :)

[Peach]

I agree that watching a referee who explains clearly can be very useful. Explaining doesn't mean talking, mind you. I like watching Vitali Nazylmov direct, for instance, because he makes it very clear what happened, but he barely says anything.

Sometimes, though, I like to watch a referee who may be less advanced than Vitali, but who explains more.

[sallearmourer]

You need to be able to direct two weapons if you what to get hire for NACs. My Daughter as her 5 in sabre and 4 in epee and 5 in foil at 17 but as the FOC told me she a kanck for it. But we required our kids to referee even in class in practice bout and we discussed the rules and give the test to our kids a least once a month. My wife mainly does epee but she also as tested and pass all three weapons. I myself is a rated referee in sabre and epee I do it mainly on a local level but has been requested to keep my coat in my booth just in case. I unusally don't ref at NAC because the FOC consider my repair booth as import to the smooth run of the NAC less weapons faillling . But the key to getting a National rating is practice at the local level get use to using the handed signals as well.

Tim

[Capt. Slo-mo]

I love a referee who will explain what the action was, or wasn't, when asked calmly. As in...you do a beat attack...the ref says parry riposte for the other guy. Now, did the ref completely miss the initiation of blade movement, or did you beat on the forte?

If he'll explain, you'll know how to fence for him just a little better on the next touches.

Now on the other hand...a referee that takes it upon himself/herself to explain (unsolicited) to your opponent what they did wrong to lose an undisputed touch....