Referee Seminar w/ Alex Gioiella & Patrick Webster

This is a Certified Referee Seminar and meets one of the requirements for becoming a certified fencing referee for USA Fencing. This clinic is an all-day event open to all ages regardless of membership status with USA Fencing. The cost will be re-evaluated in light of the coronavirus situation and need to conduct the seminar with a different format. The seminar will begin at 10am EST (9am CST) This is definitely something new, and we are trying this out to see how virtual seminars can be utilized effectively when there are serious extenuating circumstances. It’s as new for you as it is for us, but we look forward to experiencing it together. We appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of becoming a referee. :) I am including below the link to the Zoom meeting, as well as a link to the dropbox where the seminar materials are located. Please over the week take a look at these materials, it will make it easier to go through everything if you’ve had a chance to peruse them. You don’t need to memorize them, just have taken a glance, and have them available to follow along on Saturday. It is difficult to stare at a screen for an extended period of time, so we will be taking breaks throughout, and having discussions to give everyone’s eyes a rest. This will be made easier by making sure you have glanced at the materials in the dropbox folder I’m sharing with you. The biggest question being asked is “How do I pay”. PayPal we have found is the simplest solution. The email address above is the one to use. Please make sure your name (or your child’s name) is somewhere in the payment when you send it, so we can track it. The cost per registrant is $30. Attendance will be taken during the seminar, and this attendance sheet will be used to send in as you having completed this requirement, so please be sure to be present. Also, please make sure when you connect via Zoom, you use your name, so we can see who we are talking to. Between the two of us, we might know everyone, but we might not, and having names would be great, and we will be using names to cross-check the attendance sheet. Dropbox Link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wbh6izqwfgm26y8/AACWwaiAtGNzuzTOBIZ2mowza?dl=0 The Zoom meeting link is below, you will need to email us for the meeting password. Zoom Meeting Link Patrick Webster is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/961124801?pwd=MHA5S3ArV1I4WnBTenNrQjdxa0tvdz09 Meeting ID: 961 124 801 Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 961 124 801 Seminar Instructors Patrick Webster - Mr. Webster is currently the Referee’s Commission Vice-Chair for Domestic Referee Development. He has consistently reffed foil and epee at the national level and often serves as a national level assigner and referee coordinator. He has been involved in the sport for over 25 years. Alex Gioiella - Ms. Gioiella currently serves as a member of the Domestic Referee Development Committee, with her primary focus being grassroots referee development as well as specifically saber referee development. Ms. Gioiella referees all three weapons at the local and national levels while refereeing sabre internationally. Before moving to the Midwest, she was instrumental in regional referee development in the NY/NJ/CT area. What To Expect For those looking to become referees, this clinic will prepare the attendee for taking the test and for observation as a referee. For parents and fencers, this clinic will give a better understanding of calls and the rules of the game. Topics Will Include: - Role, Responsibilities, and Duties of the Referee - Rules of the Sport - Analyzing the Action - Exam Preparation - Improving Referee Rating Attendees intending to take the exam and be observed should make themselves familiar with the rules of fencing and plan on taking the exam online. A copy of the rulebook and penalty chart can be found here. https://www.usafencing.org/usa-fencing-rule-book Attendees intending to take the exam should review the National Referee Examination Study Guide The referee examination is a three-step process. Steps 1 and 2 may be completed in any order and must both be completed before step 3. Step 1 is taking the official referee clinic from a Certified Referee Instructor (like this course!) Step 2 is passing the written referee exam online with a score of 90% in the general section and 90% on at least one of the three weapon-specific sections Step 3 is passing a referee practical observation. Referee practical exams are available from CRIs and CRO's at Regional and Local events in and around Region 2 throughout the season. Frequently Asked Questions Will practical observations be given at this clinic? No practical exams will be conducted at this clinic. I have found that unless the candidates are extremely well prepared, and basically only taking the certification course to check off a box, candidates do better taking the practical exam at a different time than the clinic. Also, this will give you time to study the rulebook and take your time passing the exam. I am not interested in refereeing just yet, but I want to know more about the rules. Should I attend this clinic? Absolutely! The official referee clinic is one of the best ways to get up-to-date rules interpretations from an experience national/international level referee instructor. Can parents attend? Yes. Parents are more than welcome to attend.