Referee Seminar with Charles Astudillo
Registration closes January 11, 2025
Online Payments Not Accepted
In the coming seasons, USFA will be requiring certified referees for all domestic tournaments. If you are interested in becoming a referee, or want to learn more about the sport, we welcome you.
Location: San Diego Fencing Center
Email counterriposte@hotmail.com
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Start Time: 2:00 PM (Pacific Time) (Approximately)
End Time: 9:30 PM (Pacific Time) goal
This is a one day seminar, lecture only on January 11, 2025. Referee Observations (included) will be held at the UCSD Scrimmage Tournament the following day. Participants who referee the scrimmage will have the seminar fee waived. USFA Membership is required to receive credit for the course.
Cost: $75 per person payable by checks in the mail, Venmo, PayPal or Zelle to Charles Astudillo. The fee includes evaluation at tournaments where Charles is refereeing.
Charles Astudillo is a Certified Referee Instructor from San Diego, CA. Charles has refereed nationally for over 20 years, and has been a regular fixture at North American Cups. Charles has refereed several Division I matches, Gold medal bouts in multiple age categories, and collegiately including the NCAA semifinals in Mens and Womens Foil in 2009, and acted as head referee of multiple Regional and Collegiate events. Charles is the current Vice Chair of USA Fencing's Grassroots Referee Development Committee.
About the Referee Development Clinic
The Referee Development Clinic will provide you with a broad understanding of the role, responsibilities, and duties of a referee, as well as refine your sense of right of way, timing, and application of the rules.
Attending an official FOC-sanctioned clinic is a prerequisite for becoming a certified USA Fencing referee, along with successful completion of a written exam. Once a passing score (90%) has been achieved on the written exam (both the general section and one or more weapon-specific sections) a referee receives a rating of "P" in each weapon passed. Further ratings improvements (P-N1) can be obtained by being evaluated in a practical. You must take and pass the written examinations prior to the practical exam.
Written Exams
The written test is now offered online and typically taken shortly following the clinic, though it may be taken in advance: (on this page) scroll down...
If you plan to sit the exam, please make sure that you have adequately prepared by going through the Study Guide:
Southern California Scholastic Fencing League
(SCSFL)-Richard Lee Referee Development Scholarship https://schsfence.org/
Parents and Students attending league schools are eligible for scholarships toward certification as USFA referees. If you are interested, please apply here:
Who should attend:
This clinic is recommended for:
- Aspiring referees - who want to learn how right of way and rules are being applied at a national and international level;
- Athletes - who want to improve their games and get a more complete understanding of their sport;
- Coaches - who want to maintain their grasp of current interpretations and rules updates;
- Parents - who want a better understanding of tournament format and the basics of sport fencing for their children; and
- Current referees - who need to fulfill their annual requirement for seminar attendance or further their personal development.