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In order to harmonize practice and theory at the conventional weapons, the FIE president and Executive committee have made proposals to modify some articles of the Rules. The FIE has asked the opinion of five specialists of international notoriety. |
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Dear
president of the FIE!
Dear René.
Your
efforts directed at the development of fencing throughout the world, are
extremely important. The realization of suggestions regarding the modification
of several articles of the rules will allow:
a)
To specify and simplify the definition of "fencing time" that will
better facilitate refereeing of foil and sabre bouts
b)
Will make it easier for spectators to understand the results of fencing bouts at
competitions;
c)
Will simplify TV coverage and will make fencing understandable for TV viewers;
d)
Will facilitate better understanding of the efficiency of the fencers’ actions
during training bouts.
e)
Will make the scoring apparatus a better tool to be used in training; thus
speeding up the improvement of the
fencer’s professional skills in foil and sabre.
All
of the above mentioned points will eventually increase the number of fencers
participating in foil and sabre and will raise the level of many fencing teams
around the world, which do not in the mean time have enough qualified coaches
and referees.
In
response to your questions, let us state certain facts, which are the result of
much research as well as analysis of fencing bouts at competitions.
1.
Does foil fencing have unique characteristics or are these characteristics being
lost?
In
the mean time foil fencing retains the basic elements of fencing culture
regulated by the rules. However the development of fencing is constrained by the
following factors:
а)
The tendency to use attack with a series of coupes
instead of attacks by disengagements, especially in
the case of an attack executed from long distance
(4 meters) as it is easier
to avoid the opponent’s blade ( parry),
b) With the increased intensity of fencing in a bout and maneuver on the
piste,
c) Breaks during the bouts caused by hits to the shoulder, mask or leg
occur far to often and do not allow fencers
to continue the fencing phrase with
a riposte or a
d) The technique of executing hits by using excessive flexibility of the
blade is
2.
Shortening of the "blocking times" for the scoring apparatus.
The shortening of "blocking time" is only meaningful
as a definition of “fencing time” (time of successful counter attack or
remise) to facilitate refereeing, and also to give the fencers an objective
criterion for judging their own actions in the fencing phrases. Therefore "blocking
time" of 250 milliseconds for the foil bouts is unsuitable.
The
estimation of “fencing time” by qualified referees in foil fencing is within
the limits of 150 -180 milliseconds. In sabre
- “fencing time” is estimated by qualified referees
“Blocking
time” within the limits of 200 milliseconds, causes disputes between referees
and fencers in judging actions during bouts.
3.
The definition of the rules for the duration of contact of a tip of a foil with
a conductive jacket of the opponent is advisable. However, research must be done
to establish the correct time. A testing period of this new regulation during
training and competition is vital.
4.
The reduction of the distance between fencers
at the beginning and at the resumption of the bout from 4
to 3 meters is necessary for many reasons:
а)the
existing distance (4 meters) at the beginning of the bout allows a fencer
to attack from the “running
approach”, increasing the speed of attack by using a series of steps or jump
and a lunge.
It is well known, that in track and field athletics the standing jump is
three times shorter than a running jump. Additionally the speed of a runner is
slowest immediately after the start and is greatest once he has accelerated and
reached maximum speed after the initial period of acceleration.
b) A fencer who starts an attack from 4 meters after the referee has said
"play" has an advantage over a defending fencer as his blade is still
very far from the blade of opponent. And if the defending fencer intends to
determine the sector where the attack will land and then to parry this attack it
then becomes very difficult for him to keep the intensity of attention because
of the long duration of the attack.
c) The distance of 4 meters causes the high incidence of simultaneous
attacks and reduces the number of phrases using parries and ripostes. This data
has been obtained following recording and analysis of many bouts and
competitions.
Changing
this article of the rules will allow the referee to stand closer to the
participants, will increase the size of the image of the fencers on television
screens. Besides, bouts on a shorter distance (2.8 - 3 meters) have been used in
training for the purpose of mastering techniques and tactics for a long time.
5.
The cancellation of white lamps in foil fencing will not change the tactics of
the bout.
The
reason being, that hits on the arm, leg or mask are not executed intentionally
and are the result of a mistake in the fencers’ reactions caused by rapid
changes of distance. Thus if together with a cancellation of white lamps the
valid target is increased to half of the sleeve (the shoulders of both arms) the
number of disengages in the out side sector (shoulder) will increase, and arms
cannot be used with a view to protecting the
trunk against attacks or ripostes of the opponent.
6.
The crossing of the legs during the forward movement in a foil attack only in
part complicates refereeing and the tele-comment of fights. Before reaching a
decision regarding the forward crossing of the legs, research must be carried
out and trial competitions conducted for the analysis of objective data on the
consequences of possible (probable) changes.
David and Gennady Tyshler |
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