Cobra Challenge SYC, RCC and Y8

There is free garaged parking adjacent to the venue. Parking is allowed in all spaces, even if marked "reserved." There is no spectator fee. There is no Wi-Fi in the venue; internet access is via your cell phone or other provider. Please respect our venue and place all trash in trash receptacles. Photography is allowed, however NO FLASH photography is allowed near active fencing. We suggest arriving at least 1 hour prior to close of check-in for your event. Venue opens at 6:30 a.m. Lines for equipment check will be long, especially on Friday. We encourage Saturday/Sunday fencers to come to the venue on Friday (before 5:30) to have equipment checked. The NY Giants have a home game on Sunday at 1 p.m.; plan travel time accordingly. Fencers, Coaches, Parents, and Spectators must conduct themselves according to USA Fencing Code of Conduct [USA Fencing](https://www.usafencing.org/codes-of-conduct). USA Fencing black card policies will be enforced. Photography is allowed, however NO FLASH photography is allowed near active fencing. No one is allowed inside the pod during pool round except the fencers. During the DE round each fencer is allowed one person (coach, parent, teammate) in the pod with them, and that person must remain at the back of the strip and not interfere with the referee aisle. WEBSITE: Live tournament seeding, strip assignments and results: http://www.fencingtimelive.com. ================================================================================================================================================================== SYC Competitions award national points to the top 40% of the field. https://www.usafencing.org/syc-resources RCC events award regional points to fencers residing within Region 3. https://www.usafencing.org/rjcc-resources Y8 are not official USA Fencing events; they are non-regional and no points are awarded. ================================================================================================================================================================== Bout Committee: George Janto, Cheryl Delaney Head Referees: Charles Greene/Mary Frye Armory: Armory services available (for fee) REFUND POLICY USA Fencing will issue refund to credit card used for the registration. Must send notification of withdrawal and request for refund to cherylfencing@gmail.com. FENCERS WHO WITHDRAW THEMSELVES WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND. Registration fees and USA Fencing fees are nonrefundable. Requests for event fees refunds will only be honored if received prior to midnight on November 22, 2019. There will be no exceptions to this policy. On tournament day, fencers arriving after close of check-in will not be allowed to compete. One announcement over the public address system will be made for missing fencers, after which time they will be withdrawn from the competition, and no there will be no refund of entry fees for any reason. No refunds issued to no-shows, for any reason. Friday 8:00 - Y14 ME 8:15 - CMF 8:15 - CWE 12 noon - Y14 WF 12 noon - CMS 1:00 - Y8 Mixed Epee 1:00 - Y10 MF 3:15 - Y10 MS 3:15 - Y12 WS Saturday 8:00 - Y14 MF 8:15 - Y10 ME 8:15 - CWF 12:30 - CWS 12:45 - CME 12:45 - Y10 WF 1:00 - Y8 MS 1:00 - Y8 WS 2:00 - Y12 WE 3:30 - Y14 MS Sunday 8:00 - Y12 MF 8:15 - Y10 WE 8:15 - Y12 WF 12:00 - Y14 WS 12:15 - Y14 WE 12:30 - Y8 MF 12:30 - Y8 WF 1:00 - Y12 ME 3:00 - Y10 WS 3:00 - Y12 MS ================================================================================================================================================================== SPECTATORS: Unless reporting errors, please keep questions directed to the Bout Committee to a minimum. The BC is usually extremely busy ensuring the efficient running of all events, and any questions directed at them can cause delays in tournament flow. Discuss proper tournament procedures and etiquette with your coach prior to the tournament. Answers to almost all questions can be found on this info page or posted at the venue; if not, please wait until you notice a seemingly quiet time and then any member of the BC will be happy to answer any of your questions We will adhere to the USA Fencing code of conduct for athletes, parents, and spectators. Everybody present in the venue must remain orderly and not disturb the smooth running of competition. No one is allowed in the strip enclosure during pool round. During the DE round each fencer may have 1 person inside the enclosure, and this person (coach, parent, teammate, etc) must remain at the back of the strip, and all other spectators outside the draped rail. At no time is anyone allowed to criticize the Officials or their decisions, to insult them or to attempt to influence them in any way. Coaches and spectators are allowed to give advice to fencers, but must not disturb the order of the bout. The Referee and/or the Bout Committee on their own authority, or at the request of an official, can decide to expel from the venue, with or without a warning, any person who by gesture, attitude or language disturbs the good order or smooth running of the event. ================================================================================================================================================================== Blue Gauntlet Fencing Gear will be on-site for equipment purchases. Armory services (for fee) will be available. Food concession is provided by the Expo Center. Menu includes: Sandwiches (varies) Paninis (Italian or Turkey) Pizza (cheese or with toppings) Garden Salads (option with chicken) Hot Dogs Pretzels Nachos Fruit cups Popcorn Bagels, muffins, or danishes Candy (variety) Chips and cookies Hot Coffee or Hot Chocolate Bottled Soda/Drinks Bottled Water Juices (Orange or Apple) Energy drinks (Redbull) ================================================================================================================================================================== WHERE SHOULD I GO FIRST? Scan USA Fencing membership card at the self-check-in station, then have equipment tested by the Armory. Print membership card on-line at http://www.usfencing.org/membership. If you wish to take advantage of the age verification process, see the staff member at check-in and provide a copy of passport, birth certificate or other government-issued identification. After checking in, verify your seeding information on-line or on the monitor tower and report any discrepancies to the Bout Committee (BC) before close of check-in time for your event. Do not bring your bag into the armory line. Find a location for your fencing bag inside the venue (do not block doors, aisles, walking areas, or fire exits). Equipment control will test foil and saber lame, masks, 2 body cords, 2 saber mask cords, saber cuff. Masks that do not pass the 12-kg punch test will be impounded or given a visible mark to signify that the mask is “not approved for use.” In foil, the use of a conductive bib is required in all competitions. Padded Chest Protector is required for all female foil fencers. Have your lame right side out and zipped up. Untangle and straighten body cords and mask cords, and remove any tape from previous tournaments. Equipment check can be done by someone other than the fencer. CHECK-IN All times are close of check-in. We strongly encourage you to arrive at the venue at least 1 hour before close of your event registration. Venue opens at 6:30 a.m. Fencers failing to check-in by the published deadline will be removed from the event and refunds will not be issued. Fencers must check-in each day they fence. WHEN WILL I START FENCING? Each event consists of 2 rounds (pools and then direct elimination (DE)). Typically pools begin approximately 15 minutes after close of check-in, tournament conditions permitting. Occasionally there will be unforeseen delays, and if this should occur we appreciate your understanding. To avoid delays resulting from incorrect seeding of pools, it is vital you verify all information after you check in and report errors (misspelled name, wrong club, wrong rating/ranking) to the BC before close of check-in time for your event. HOW DO I FIND OUT WHERE I WILL BE FENCING? Listen for announcements, and shortly after check-in closes pool strip assignments will be posted on-line at https://fencingtimelive.com and on monitor tower located near the Bout Committee. There is no wi-fi in the venue; internet access is through your cell phone or other provider. Take spare weapons and body cords with you when reporting to the strip for your bouts. USA Fencing Rules apply (https://www.usafencing.org/usa-fencing-rule-book). WHAT DO I DO AFTER MY POOL IS FINISHED? After finishing all your pool bouts, the referee will show you the pool score sheet. You must check scores for accuracy, then sign the pool sheet and thank the referee. If there are any errors, do not sign until the error is corrected. Once the pool sheet with fencer signatures is submitted there will be no changes made. When ALL pools for your event are completed the results for the entire field are ordered by best to poorest (highest ratio of victories vs. bouts fenced, touches scored vs. touches received), and the DE round is seeded from these results. Once pool round results are posted you must again check these for accuracy and report errors immediately to the BC. Do not leave the venue after the pool round, as there is 100% promotion to the DE round. The DE tableau will be posted and you then report to the strip(s) indicated for your event and listen for the referee to call you. Notify the referee if you need to leave the strip area for any reason. You are allowed 2 calls to the strip, then if not present at the 3rd and final call you will be scratched. The DE round continues as winners advance until the final bout. Medals will be awarded to Top 8 finishers. Medals are awarded at the Medal area near the Bout Committee. ==================================== TOURNAMENT FORMAT/RULES ==================================== • USA Fencing rules apply. https://www.usafencing.org/usa-fencing-rule-book • Equipment check required (mask, lame (as appropriate), sabre cuffs, head cords, and body cords). 800N Saber Glove is Mandatory. Armorer will be on-site for repairs (for fee). Fencers only need to have their equipment passed once for the duration of the SYC/RCC. • Must have at least two working weapons and two body cords when reporting to the strip. • Full USA Fencing regulation uniform required. Name is NOT required on jacket/lame. Foil mask with conductive bib required. Rule regarding chest protectors for FOIL fencers: https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/922236. Fencers arm, equip and clothe themselves and fence at their own responsibility and at their own risk. Fencers are responsible for ensuring arrival at the strip with working equipment. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Fencers arm, equip and clothe themselves and fence at their own responsibility and at their own risk. • Uniforms (jacket, pants, knee-high socks, fencing glove): Standard fencing uniforms; cannot have any rips, tear, or holes. Warm-up pants or jeans are not allowed. Fencing glove must cover half of the forearm. 800N Saber Glove is mandatory. • Plastrons (underarm protectors): Standard fencing plastron; required with every uniform • Chest Protector: Required for females. All women's FOIL fencers are required to wear a padded chest protector. Men are not required to wear a chest protector; however, if they do, it must have acceptable padding. All chest protectors must be worn under the plastron. Rule regarding chest protectors for FOIL fencers: https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/922236. • Masks: 12K punch test; sewn in bib. Conductive Bib in foil is required. Elastic strap at back of mask is required • Blades: The maximum blade length permitted for Y8/Y10 competitions is 32.5 inches. For Y12, Y14, Cadet competitions, standard blade length of 30-35” permitted. • Weapon Handle: Any attachment to a weapon’s handle must fix the hand in one position such that the top of the thumb is no more than 2 cm from the inner surface of the guard. • Names on Uniforms: Not required at SYC/RCC • Ratings can be awarded, however youth events do not use the E1 or D1 classifications. This means that these events are NR until they achieve C1 level or higher. See USA Fencing classification chart at: https://www.usafencing.org/classification-chart • SYC Competitions award national points to the top 40% of the field. https://www.usafencing.org/syc-resources • RCC events award regional points to fencers residing within Region 3. https://www.usafencing.org/rjcc-resources • Y8 events are not an official USFA category and do not award points. • Medals awarded to 8th place. Medals presented at the Medal area adjacent to the Bout Committee. • Photography and filming is allowed, however NO flash photography is allowed near ongoing competitions. Withdrawal during tournament: • Withdrawal during pools: The pools must be fenced through the last bout. A fencer who withdraws, or who is excluded, is scratched from the pool, and his results are annulled as if he had not taken part. • Withdrawal during DE: When for whatever reason a fencer cannot fence or cannot complete his bout, his opponent is declared winner of that bout. A fencer who withdraws does not lose his place in the overall classification of the competition. SYC EVENT INFORMATION https://www.usafencing.org/syc-resources RCC EVENT INFORMATION https://www.usafencing.org/rjcc-resources The Athletes Handbook (https://www.usafencing.org/athlete-handbook) is the definitive reference document regarding points and qualification paths. Results, points and ratings earned at this event are not official until processed by USA Fencing National Office. USA Fencing Rule Book https://www.usafencing.org/usa-fencing-rule-book •** Liability waiver - Upon entering this tournament you agree to abide by the current rules of USA Fencing and other applicable rules instituted by Cobra Fencing Club. You acknowledge you are entering this tournament at your own risk and release USA Fencing and its sponsors, Cobra Fencing Club, Meadowlands Expo Center, and referees/staff from any liability. With entry you give consent to tournament organizers to obtain medical care from any licensed physician, EMS personnel, hospital or clinic for any injury or illness that may arise during activities associated with this tournament. Photography, filming, recording, or any other form of media of the athlete during the tournament can be used by Cobra Fencing Club and USA Fencing. Those wishing to opt out of media coverage must inform the Bout Committee.** Cobra Fencing Club and Meadowlands Exposition Center are not responsible for any lost or stolen property.