Become a Referee:
Refereeing Registration Form 2024 (Word) (PDF)
Referee Development Program Info (Word) (PDF)
Register by December 1, 2023
Starting December 7, 2023
Description:
This program is designed to certify individuals for provincial-level officiating, in addition to providing the foundation for national, and international officiating. Theoretical teaching as well as practical training will be incorporated.
Who Should Attend:
- Aspiring referees who want to learn how right-of-way, and rules are applied at a local, national, and international level.
- Athletes who want to improve their fencing and get a more complete understanding of the sport.
- Coaches who want to maintain their grasp of current interpretations and rule updates.
- Parents interested in bettering their understanding of tournaments and the basics of sport fencing.
- Current referees for further personal development.
Eligibility:
- Must be at least 12 years of age.
- Open to coaches, athletes, parents, referees, and other MFA members.
Cost:
$120 per person (this includes registration fees and course materials)
Where:
Theory examination
Certification:
Certification involves 2 components:
- Theory examination
- Practical examination
Note: Both components require a grade of 70% or more to pass.
Theory Examination:
- General knowledge of fencing rules.
- Specific knowledge of a single weapon (of your choosing).
Practical Examination:
Only candidates who pass the theory exam are eligible for the practical examination.
The candidate must officiate at the 4 local competitions where he/she will be observed by an evaluator. Program participants will receive feedback for his/her work following each tournament.
Refereeing at a regional tournament, such as the Militia Open in Saskatchewan, may also be a required and will be included in the syllabus if applicable. The overall practical performance at these tournaments will decide the result.
Characteristics of Practical Evaluation:
See details in the Evaluation Document
- Attitude of the candidate (/10)
- Decision making (/40)
- Hand signals (/10)
- Applying the FIE rules (/20)
- Phrase d’armes (/20)
In cases of evaluation conducted through Video Arbitrage the candidate will:
- wear a classic suit for his or her exam
- face the Video Arbitrage that will be shown on-screen
Fencing actions will be played to the candidate, once in real speed, and once with a 10 second review in slow-motion:
- preside 4 to 6 bouts of 15 hits
- preside over specific/unique fencing situations
Teaching Plan:
Practical portion to be conducted during the fencing season.
| Content | Time |
| Theory | 4 hours |
| Practical using Video Arbitrage | 6 hours |
| Practice (see recommendations) | Training at club – Provincial Team training – Training at camps |
| Theory Exams | 2 hours |
| Practical Exam | Local competitions or online by Video Arbitrage – Golden Boy competition – Regional competition (as required) |
Areas covered in course:
- Classification of fencing actions
- Terminology
- Characteristics of the three weapons
- Piste (surface of play)
- Formula of competitions
- Offences and their penalties
- Refereeing and judging of hits
- Video Arbitrage
- Practice
Post-Program Recommendations:
- Practice at your club at least once a week
- Take opportunities to practice at the provincial level (a good referee must continue to practice refereeing – more practice ensures better results)
- Officiating at least two provincial team camps
