This petition is to Modify or repeal the BOD Directive of Sabre Fencers starting with the back on the en garde line.



“To adopt the new FIE test of the Sabre guard line for all sanctioned USA Fencing events effective on August 1, 2016 to coincide with the start of the new season. The new rule is: For sabre, the referee places each of the two competitors in such a way that the back foot of each is 2 m from the center line of the piste (that is, in front of the “on-guard” lines). NOTE: Should the FIE decide to not continue with the new guard line at the end of the testing period (December 2016), USA Fencing will return to using the current guard line in conjunction with the FIE.” From the Minutes of the BOD on April 14th



Deferred proposal of the Russian Fencing Federation Motivation: Reducing the number of simultaneous attacks for sabre. Increasing the number of actions in order to make matches more spectacular. t.17. 1. For foil and épée, theThe Referee places each of the two competitors in such a way that the front foot of each is 2 metres from the centre line of the piste (that is, behind the ‘on-guard’ lines). 2. For sabre, the referee places each of the two competitors in such a way that the back foot of each is 2 m from the centre line of the piste (that is, in front of the "on-guard" lines). ------------------------------ ------------------ Opinion of the working group 2015 (Rules, Refereeing, Promotion Commissions, Coaches Council, Athletes Commission) in charge of reviewing the proposal deferred in 2014: The object of this proposal is to reduce simultaneous attacks at sabre. An ad hoc commission must be nominated by the Executive Committee as soon as possible, with the task to obtain statistics regarding simultaneous attacks during the rest of the 2015-16 season. The working group is in favour of the proposal to organise tests, by introducing the rules proposed by the Russian Federation as temporary rules for all categories at sabre, men and women, during the period from the start of the 2016-2017 season until 31 December 2016. The ad hoc commission will study the tests through comparisons with the statistics from the previous season. It will deliver its opinion at the end of 2016 to the Executive Committee, which will decide if the rule will be applied for the rest of the 2016-17 season. The correct numbering of the articles in the proposal is t.17.2.a and t.17.2.b Opinion of the Refereeing Commission: Not in favour. Opinion of the Promotion and Publicity Commission: Not in favour. Opinion of the Rules Commission: Not in favour. The new sensor should be introduced before any more reforms are tried in sabre. 18 Opinion of the Athletes Commission: Not in favour. The commission thinks that making a closer distance would not directly lead to the effect of reducing simultaneous actions, and rather wishes to define attacks clearly for referees with consistent judgement. Opinion of the Coaches Council: In favour. Opinion of the Executive Committee: In favour of the opinion of the working group: The working group is in favour of the proposal to organise tests, by introducing the rules proposed by the Russian Federation as temporary rules for all categories at sabre, men and women, during the period from the start of the 2016-2017 season until 31 December 2016.” http://static5.fie.org/ uploads/7/38627-9.2%20prop% 20modifs%20reglements%202015% 20ang.pdf

The Referees Commission, The Promotion and Publicity Commission, The Rules Commission, and The Athletes Commission all voted: not in favour.



The US Fencing Association has delayed in other FIE Test, or Rules modifications, or altered from the FIE in various ways in recent memory.



-We did not immediately pass the bib on the foil masks

-We did not immediately require the FIE Glove in Sabre

-We did not mandate that all Sabre Fencers wear the Visor Mask

-We do not mandate that all fencers wear full FIE Uniforms.

-We do not mandate that all fencers use FIE blades

-We differed from the FIE rule of the wires in epee going through the rabbit hole.

-We differ from the FIE rule of the Foil Head Cord being white



There is no reason for us to follow a test event at all levels of fencing in the Unites States to Mirror the FIE when we have shown a divergence over a multitude of issues over the past few years.



We also remember the Hi-Low rule which was quickly disregarded once many saw its inadequacies



The rationale behind this is several fold.

-If this test is not upheld we will be changing how sabre fencers fence. As well as kids will qualify to Junior Olympics and National Championship events under one method of fencing then have to compete under different circumstances. Some during a time period in which they are being looked at by Colleges.



-This will change the process in which Coaches instruct fencing at all levels from beginners to their current competitive members only to potentially have to reverse it in several months.

-This will affect how referees make their calls, as they will need time to adjust to the innovations and tactics employed by fencers and find a new window in a short time, to only have to readjust under such a short time.

Without any data we have no idea on how this will truly affect the calls in the middle, this may lead to more simultaneous calls creating a longer sabre bout which would be an adverse affects to the smooth running of events. Organizers have and use data based upon how long a pool and DE round take, and use this data to Plan their events.

The Proposal is also tiered in various ways to promote the development of Sabre Fencing not only for our elite athletes but for the population in general.

1. That the test is not conducted at US Fencing events until the FIE makes an actual rule.

-If the National Coaches which to conduct a test event at the NACs in which the “Elite” Athletes and top referees are invited they should be granted the ability to do so and given use of the replay machines to provide a benefit to our International Fencers, Coaches, and Referees.

Or

2. Only Senior and Junior Level events at the National level conduct this rule, as these are the only events that the US will be participating in during this testing period on the International Level. If approved it would become the standard starting in the 17-18 season.

-Rationale: the amount of International Fencers that regularly compete in Regional and Below competition is a small number when compared to its inverse.