The dry bout (a bout fenced without electrical scoring equipment) represents a significant challenge for the referee and judges: how do you ganjanetic both fairly and accurately assess the results of the fencing so that the better fencer in the bout wins? The answer is a mix of several factors, including organization with well defined responsibilities, training, and the ability to recognize fencing actions and hits. This series of articles examines the referee's role in the bout.
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In the not so distant past, referees were called Directors or Presidents of the Jury. Both of these titles capture what the referee does in ways different than the modern title of referee. Director implies that the official directs and controls the operation of the contest, an organizational role with clear responsibilities. President of the Jury acknowledges the role of the referee as part of a voting body that recognizes the actions, interprets them, and sees the hits. These two roles are critical to what the referee does and to the efficient, accurate, and fair conduct of the bout.
When we think about the role of the referee, it is vital to understand that the bout is about the fencers, not the officials. The referee and judges create a structure for determining who wins, but that structure should never obscure or diminish the actual combat between two fencers. The officials facilitate, not dominate.
The referee in the dry bout manages a team of 5 people, himself as referee, and four judges. Two judges stationed behind the fencer on the referee's left watch the target of the fencer on the right to observe whether a hit arrives. Two judges stationed behind the fencer on the referee's right watch the target of the fencer on the left to observe whether a hit arrives. The referee watches both fencers' targets for hits, and determines which fencer has the right of way (in foil or sabre) or which fencer arrives first on target (in epee).
To do this effectively the referee must move with the action so that the two fencers remain centered in front of him or her. Ideally the referee should be as far from the strip as practical - 10 feet is a good starting point. This distance allows the referee to easily see movement on the part of both fencers, key to establishing priority of actions. The reality in many clubs and venues is that as many strips as possible are packed into as small a space as possible, with the result that referees work within 3 feet of the strip edge. Not only is this unsafe, but it virtually ensures that the referee's calls often will be influenced by whichever fencer moves in the restricted field of view.
Two other officials complete the set of officials for a strip, although the functions of one or both are often subsumed into the job of the referee. A timekeeper runs the clock of fencing time used between the commands "fence" and "halt." A score keeper maintains the score sheet, recording touches awarded and any warnings or penalties. If at all possible, these two positions should be staffed, as the added burden detracts from the referee's ability to manage the activity on the strip.
The referee thus has a responsible job. A good referee with competent judges creates the conditions that allow good fencing with the fencers being satisfied that they have had a fair chance to win. Bad officiating unfortunately creates the opposite, bad fencing and frustrated fencers. Every referee has a moral obligation to continually work to better understand the job and to give the fencers the bout they deserve.
Breaking 1992 down into the biggest political, sports and entertainment news; here's what happened...
The queen had both an expensive and an embarrassing year; early on announcing that she would bow to public pressure and pay income tax (the first time a British monarch had done so for over 50 years) and, at the end of the year, having her Christmas speech leaked to and published in 'The Sun' ahead of the big day. It was also a bad year for Manchester after the IRA exploded two bombs in centre of the city; injuring 64 people and causing millions of pounds of damage.
Politically, the government, led by John Major, made themselves unpopular on two fronts, by firstly signing Britain up to the 'Treaty on European Union' (many saw this as a loss of Britain's identity); then secondly announcing it's plans to close a third of Britain's deep coal mines, with the loss of 31,000 jobs.
In terms of sport, 1992 saw Barcelona hosting the Olympic Games; it being the first time in 20 years that every country had been present (with no boycotts or bans in places). Linford Christie was the star of the event by becoming the oldest ever Olympic 100m champion (at 32 years old!). The year also saw 'The Football Association' launch the new 'Premier League', no-one at the time quite realising the revolutionary effect that it would have on the game.
Entertainment wise, the quirky, fast paced breakfast TV programme 'The Big Breakfast' made its debut. There was plenty of chaos and disorder on the show; Chris Evans being the one to lead the fun, games and competitions. The BBC were far, far less successful with their attempt at entertaining the public with 'Eldorado'. Focusing on a community of ex-pats living in a Spanish fishing village, it was slated for its wooden actors and uninspiring storylines (later to be axed after just one year).
The big movies of the year were 'Wayne's World' and 'Reservoir Dogs'. The first being about Wayne and Garth's battling it out with a hot-shot TV producer to save their own low-budget TV show (and also win the heart of the lovely Cassandra!). The second being Quentin Tarantino's story of a botched robbery and the hunting out of the 'rat' (was it Mr. White, Mr. Orange, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Pink, Mr. Brown or Mr. Blue?).