Remote Referee Clinic with Mark Stasinos

Mark Stasinos is a Certified Referee Instructor with over 50 years of experience in the sport and a Fencing Master in all three weapons, having been certified in Switzerland in 1988. He has been an active Referee nationally and internationally and an instructor for the past 36 years. He has served in numerous leadership positions within USA Fencing, including Chairman of the National Tournament Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Referee Commission, and Vice-President of the Fencing Organization, as well as Head Referee for NCAA Fencing.

This remote Referee Seminar is for those seeking to referee and improve their personal game through a greater understanding of concepts and rules from the FIE; parents wanting to understand actions and applications in support of their fencers and clubs.

To be a certified referee, one must:

1. Complete the seminar, 
2. Take the online exam, 
3. Pass the general section and weapon section(s) by 90% and 
4. Have a practical evaluation and observation. If over 18, one must pass the SafeSport training and background check before they can referee or be observed. It is recommended to do these before the seminar and observation.

The seminar will cover Foil. Epee and Sabre, competition protocols and rules, right of way, penalties, field of play rules and responsibilities, and an overview of Wheelchair refereeing.

This seminar will be available remotely over Google Meet. Google Meet link and payment information will be sent out via email the week before and the day before to all registrants.

Time: 10 AM - 3 PM Mountain Standard Time.

Cost: $30/person. Cash, check, AppleCash, Zelle, CashApp, and Venmo are accepted.

Helpful links:

* Please download a copy of the rulebook here: https://www.usafencing.org/rules-compliance#USA_Fencing_Rulebook_csec

Required reading is as follows:

1. All of "Book 1: Technical Rules" (pp 1-66)
2. Part C of "Book 2: Organization Rues" (pp 90-109)
3. Emphasize general structural rules over rules specific to international events.
4. Chapters 1 and 2 of "Book 3: Material Rules" (pp 114-142)
5. Please do not spend significant amounts of time memorizing too many details from the material rules, but instead focus on the practical applications of those rules.

* Read and be familiar with the study guide found here: https://www.usafencing.org/become-a-referee

* Spend a little time practicing using the actions form Fencing Database in the weapon(s) of your choice: https://www.youtube.com/c/FencingDatabase

* Optionally, take the online exam, which is found here: https://www.usafencing.org/become-a-referee. Please note that while you have unlimited attempts, you only have 48 hours from the time of purchase to pass the general section and any weapon-specific sections in which you enroll. The exam is "open book," and it is advisable to reference the rulebook while taking the exam. You may also take the exam after the seminar.

* Optionally, add the +CheckEd option to your USA Fencing membership. This enrolls you in SafeSport training and a background screen. You must be +CheckEd compliant to referee competitions. If you have a +Coach membership, that already includes +CheckEd. This requirement only applies to referees 18 years and older.

*** (While not a strict prerequisite for the seminar, you must add +CheckEd and pass the training/screen before working your first event as a referee, INCLUDING THE OBSERVATION EVENT. This process, especially the background screen, occasionally takes a week or two.) This is not required for referees under 18 years old.