Referee Seminar with Greg Domashovetz (Zoom and In-Person)

This is an official USA Fencing referee seminar for those wishing to become certified referees with USA Fencing. Greg Domashovetz, a Certified Referee Instructor with USA Fencing, will lead the seminar.

This seminar will be available live and over Zoom.

This seminar is one part of three required to receive certification alongside an online exam and practical observation. The online exam may be completed at any time (see below).

You may have your practical observation within one year of completing this seminar. We are offering the chance to be observed at the D&Under at SDFA taking place the day after the clinic. To arrange observation, please use the "Contact the Organizer" button to arrange as such with Greg. If you cannot arrange immediate observation, you can be observed at any appropriate tournament.

For Colorado Division members, the division will reimburse you the $40 seminar fee after you are observed within the 2023-24 season. Please contact Andrea Etchell to receive reimbursement after your observation.

Time: 5p-10p mountain.

Cost: $40/person (scholarships available upon request). Cash, check, card, and Venmo accepted.

Zoom link and payment information will be sent out via email the week before and day before to all pre-registrants.

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Prerequisites:

* Please download a copy of the rulebook here: https://www.usafencing.org/usa-fencing-rule-book

Required reading is as follows:

• All of "Book 1: Technical Rules" (pp 1-66)
• Part C of "Book 2: Organization Rues" (pp 90-109)
• Emphasize general structural rules over rules specific to international events.
• Chapters 1 and 2 of "Book 3: Material Rules" (pp 114-142)
• 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/referees-process

* Please read the following articles, even if you are not an aspiring foil referee:

https://www.quarte-riposte.com/foil-priority-for-newbies/

https://www.quarte-riposte.com/basic-foil-actions-with-examples/

https://www.quarte-riposte.com/foil-priority-rules-of-thumb-with-examples/

* Spend a little time practicing using either the referee test or just grind through several actions: https://www.quarte-riposte.com/category/uncategorized/ (Foil only. Epee and Saber should practice using videos from https://www.youtube.com/c/FencingDatabase)

* Optionally, take the online exam which is found here: https://www.usafencing.org/referees-process. Please note that while you have unlimited attempts, you only have 48 hours from 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 qualifies you.

*** (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 THE DAY AFTER THE SEMINAR. This process, especially the background screen, occasionally takes a week or two.) ***

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This seminar is not intended to immediately transform attendees into professional referees. It is intended to serve as the first "Big Step" in a long process of referee growth and development. We will cover the most frequently applied rules as well as address the "soft" skills that referees use to arbitrate fair bouts. Additionally, we will go over the various organizational expectations of a referee, from filling out bout sheets to dress code and more.

We will cover foil, epee, and saber by demand. Material is prepared for each weapon and we will determine which to cover based on participant demand.

Please direct questions to Greg Domashovetz at greg@roaringforkfc.com or 970.924.0459.