Post by schlager7 on Jun 15, 2004 23:04:25 GMT -6
Just for what it is worth, here is a link to the British Fencing Association's February 2003 "REFEREE’S COMMITTEE GUIDANCE FOR REFEREES" taking into account some of the recent changes the FIE has enacted.
www.leonpaul.com/download/rules/Refs.htm
There are several interesting parts. One I found amusing (and support) reads:
"On Guard
This must be in the classic sixte position with the point in the high line. At foil and sabre the fencer may not be in the “point in line” position. The fencer may have a straight arm at epee. They feel that this is good for the image of fencing and will help the referee concentrate on the position of the hand of the fencer, which is vital at the weapons with conventions.
At the 2001 World Championships all fencers, including epeeists, were required to come en guard in sixte."
But my very favorite reads:
"The Attack
This is the initial straightening of the arm, with the point threatening the valid target of the opponent. In reality this means at foil the first offensive action, at sabre attacks can be with the point or cutting edge.
There was a heated debate at a recent FIE Referee’s Seminar (in Rome prior to the Cadet and Junior World Championships held in Hungary) about how you would attack the back shoulder and it was agreed that the point would need to be raised a little to allow this, but that if it was pointing at the ceiling, with the arm in a vertical position, then this was not an attack. It was added that the attack could be delivered with no foot movements, or with a step forward, a lunge, a step and lunge or a fleche (at foil).
The FIE have asked foil referees to be as strict in their interpretation of the attack as sabre referees. This continues to be a difficult area."
www.leonpaul.com/download/rules/Refs.htm
There are several interesting parts. One I found amusing (and support) reads:
"On Guard
This must be in the classic sixte position with the point in the high line. At foil and sabre the fencer may not be in the “point in line” position. The fencer may have a straight arm at epee. They feel that this is good for the image of fencing and will help the referee concentrate on the position of the hand of the fencer, which is vital at the weapons with conventions.
At the 2001 World Championships all fencers, including epeeists, were required to come en guard in sixte."
But my very favorite reads:
"The Attack
This is the initial straightening of the arm, with the point threatening the valid target of the opponent. In reality this means at foil the first offensive action, at sabre attacks can be with the point or cutting edge.
There was a heated debate at a recent FIE Referee’s Seminar (in Rome prior to the Cadet and Junior World Championships held in Hungary) about how you would attack the back shoulder and it was agreed that the point would need to be raised a little to allow this, but that if it was pointing at the ceiling, with the arm in a vertical position, then this was not an attack. It was added that the attack could be delivered with no foot movements, or with a step forward, a lunge, a step and lunge or a fleche (at foil).
The FIE have asked foil referees to be as strict in their interpretation of the attack as sabre referees. This continues to be a difficult area."