Tournament Preparation

            This particular interim CT - and yeah, there will be a few - will focus on tournament preparation. 

            For the intents of this slightly disjointed but nevertheless important missive, we will focus on two things:  The competing fencer and the official.

            If you’re competing, you’re most likely pretty nervous.  You’ve done drills and fenced the same group of people enough that you feel confident enough going to a local tournament.  But how do you prepare for it?

            This can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry.  The first thing to do is make sure that your gear is in working order.  This can be done very easily the night before, though I would recommend getting your testing done at least 3 days before so you can effect any repairs or replacements that are required.  You will need the following things at a BARE minimum:

• Mask
• Glove
• Legal jacket (either back zip or having the zip on the non-weapon side)
• bodycord
• weapon
• sweatpants or knickers
• underarm protector NOT plastron
• lame’

            I would HIGHLY recommend (and only ‘recommend’ because I can’t think of stronger language to emphasize this) taking at least two bodycords and two weapons.  For a team using communal weaponry, take at least 2 bodycords and weapons per fencer plus 2.  You should also take along at least two extra lames.

            If your weapon doesn’t pass inspection or breaks, you will need a replacement.  If you have no replacement, you forfeit the bout.  This will continue until you find a suitable weapon or run out of bouts.  Please, please, please take extra weapons and spare parts. 

• Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before registration closes. 
• Make sure you’ve gotten at LEAST 7.5 hours of sleep the night before.
• DO NOT get drunk the 3 days before a tournament.
• Make sure you’re well hydrated, but not to the bursting point.  There are few things more annoying than having to make a bathroom run when you’re in full electric gear.
• When you arrive, establish a central meeting point where you can all store your gear.  Make sure there are at least two people watching over the gear the entire time.  The actual chance of someone messing with your gear is pretty slim, but better safe than sorry.
• Bring lots of water and non-sugary foods.  Fruits like bananas are best, in my experience.  Trail mixes are good too.  Try to avoid heavy meals and things you know will make you sick.
• By this point you should have a stretching routine almost committed to memory.  Go through it once after arrival and once after you’ve suited up. 
• Fence a couple practice bouts with your team mates just to loosen your muscles and get rid of anxiety.

If you’re going to officiate – in any sense, either as a fulltime ref or helping out between your own bouts, there is a far greater burden upon you.  To aid with this, in the weeks before the tournament get as much practice directing as you possibly can under tournament conditions (IE with an electric machine if at all possible). Additionally, you get your own list of bullet points:

• Read the rulebook backwards and forwards.  Twice at least but more if needed. 

•    Be familiar with both the technical rules (how to weight-test a foil) and the practical rules (what constitutes attack?) as you will have to defend your decisions.

• Announce the actions leading up to your decision.  Don’t just say “point to the left.”

• Be firm but fair.  Remember, on strip your word is law.

• Dress professionally if you’re going as a full timer.  You’re not the fencers’ buddy, you’re the director.  A certain level of professional detachment should be maintained in order to maintain your authority.

 The importance of mental preparation CAN NOT be overstated.  Whether you are directing or fencing, it helps to get yourself in the proper mindset before you even step in the door of the venue.

            The key here is rehearsal.  For the fencer, take some time in the days beforehand to fence some opponents in your head.  If it’s someone you’ve had a hard time beating then think it through, see what they do and how they get you.  Envision yourself defeating said opponent by countering their attacks and tricks and scoring touches.

            For the director, watch a lot of bouts in your head.  They can be yours or involving two other people.  Judge out Right of way, parries, and most importantly the passing of fencing time.  That’s the trickiest thing since it changes from bout to bout and WILL decide who wins.  As a hint:  Very rarely is there such a thing as a true simultaneous action.

That’s everything I can think of off the top of my head.  As always, if you have any questions ASK, because the only truly stupid question is the one you DO NOT ASK.

Addendum:

- When you are directing, call what you see and not what you think should have happened!!
- You do not have to explain your calls to anyone except a more senior director if there is a protest.  You should call the actions, however.
- When you are directing, if a fencer argues with you THEY GET A YELLOW CARD the first time and RED CARDS from then on.  Anything less undermines your authority as director and encourages them to mouth off more.  Yes, you can repeat giving them red cards until the bout is over.  Then, just walk away.
- If you're not sure, or it was sloppy, throw it out.
- In foil and saber, he who hits first does not always get the point.  Remember "fencing time" and apply it. 
- You may refuse to direct for a fencer you find particularly annoying, distasteful or combative.

Lastly and most importantly, if at any time someone you're directing for gets too much for you to handle LET ME KNOW.  The sooner, the better, so I can handle them appropriately.