FOC Referee Clinic @ Richmond Fencing Club

Virginia Division is sponsoring a full-day referee clinic for all three weapons. On Saturday, Bradley Baker will lead an 8-hour seminar. Observations, feedback, and practical exams will be available on Sunday. Clinic attendance, passing an online written test, and practical exam are required steps in obtaining a referee rating. Bradley Baker is an active FIE-rated referee in all three weapons and former member of the Fencing Officials Commission. Date: Saturday, May 3, 2014 Time: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM with a working lunch. Location: Richmond Fencing Club 3411 Carlton St Richmond, VA 23230 Club website: http://www.richmondfencing.com/ Cost: $50.00 (payable to Bradley Baker) The clinic will be held Saturday, May 3, starting at 9:30am and is expected to continue until approximately 5:30pm. Written tests are now available exclusively online through the FOC website http://fencingofficials.org/test/. If you plan to sit the exam, please make sure that you have adequately prepared by going through the Study Guide: http://fencingofficials.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Study_Guide_6-27-2012.pdf Practical refereeing exams will be available on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the Richmond Fencing Club. Attending an official FOC-sanctioned clinic is a prerequisite for becoming certified as a referee. In addition to attending a clinic, new referees must also take and pass 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 (1-10) can be obtained at a later date by being evaluated in a practical setting at tournaments. Starting with the 2013-14 season, new referees may attend a clinic and pass the exam in any order. The Referee Development Seminar 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 penalties. The Study Guide will prepare you for the written exam. The two together are designed to prepare you for the demands of refereeing actual fencing bouts. There will be a working lunch during the clinic. Please feel free to bring food. Additionally, orders will be taken at the site of the clinic for delivery. Who should attend: 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 Current referees - who need to fulfill their yearly requirement for seminar attendance or further their personal development