AF Vol 27 Num 3

New Year's resolution for 1976 Courtesy of Martin Brandeis - Hobbit Press. avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries EDITORIAL I1JJlfHJCJ1Jl At the risk of seeming redundant, we must again stress the vital importance of Volume 27 the safety rules. This time it's the under fEJ1CJJ1J) by Steve Sobel Number 3 <&:1976 Amateur Fencers arm protector. League of America, Inc. On June 19, 1975 by Executive Order a ability to hire an Executive Di Official Organ of the At a large and important tournament Amateur Fencers League of America Commission on Olympic Sports was estab other paid employees to promote held recently at a first class university, we Dedicated to the Memory of lished to "conduct a full and complete through adequate television covera were appalled to find that in all four events, JOSE R. deCAPRILES, 1912-1969 study and evaluation of the United States bership drives, and fund raising I women's and men's foil, saber and epee, Second Class Postage Olympic Committee, its activities, and its Paid at Westfield, N.J. 07090 many of the fencers did not have an under Although it is too early to dra'.l present and former membership groups on and at additional mailing offices arm protector. finite conclusions, an analysis of a sport-by-sport basis as they relate to Publisher: W. L. Osborn vember hearings is most encoura the effectiveness of United States teams Editor: Ralph M. Goldstein Incredibly, they seemed surprised to has raised the hope of many of I in international competitions in the Olympic Assoc. Editor: Richard Gradkowski learn that we had to refuse to officiate un national sports governing bodies'll sports". The Commission was directed less they compl ied with these most elemen lems similar to ours. Senator Johl Feature Writers: Irwin Bernstein, among its responsibilities "to study methods tary safety rules. While their coaches may ver, one of the eight Congressiona I Dan Lyons to assure adequate financial support for our be overworked and harried at times, don't of the Commission, stated "Why Historian: Alex Solomon Olympic teams and other amateur athletic they consider the great hazard of fencing show some respect for sports I Editorial Staff: Marilyn Masiero teams participating in international com without the full legal protection? The prob hockey, speed skating and cyclin, Policy Board: Stephen B. Sobel, Chairman, petitions in the Olympic sports". The Com ability of serious injury is greatly increased the anti-American feelings might R. M. Goldstein, I. F. Bernstein, W. mission has already sent detailed question L. by ignoring such a basic requirement. if we got involved in some of tho' naires to each national sports governing Osborn, H Goodman other nations respect". Advertising Correspondence: The host university had the fencers sign body, assigned a research associate to each 33 Leland Ave., Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570 a waiver of responsibility. We are not legal sport to conduct a detailed study, and has Every effort is being made by j conducted preliminary hearings. More hear to provide the Commission with t~ Printing and Advertising Plates: ly trained, but we seriously doubt the valid ings are scheduled later in the year. In tial facts and information about fe R. Gradkowski ity of such a wa iver. accordance with Presidential Order, every is encouraging to realize that our Box 274, New York, N. Y. 10010 Fortunately there were no accidents. But effort is being made by the Commission to also exist in the other sports whic Published six times a year. Subscriptions for non-members of the AFLA is $4.00 in the U.S. and what if there had been a fatal ity? Where prepare a comprehensive study of all the receive substantial income through $5.00 elsewhere. Opinions expressed in signed ceipts and media coverage. Cleal articles do not necessarily reflect th views of would the guilt have been placed if it de problems, and to provide detailed recom American Fencing or the AFLA. veloped that the officials had permitted mendations to the President of the United "outside" help is needed by all Copies of American Fencing in 16 and 35 MM sports in the United States if thE Microfilrn are available from University Micro the fencers to fence without proper pro States based upon this study. Although the films, !nc. 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan tection according to the fencing rules? time will probably be too short to have any survive and prosper in these diffiCL 48106. Prices on request. It is through the Commission that CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE: Articles, results positive results prior to the 1976 Olympics of competitions, letters to the Editor, photos and The fencers themselves must learn to in Montreal, this Commission presents the place our hope to attain outstandi cartoons are cordiaiiy solicited. AI! manuscripts national teams without sacrificing must be typewritten, double spaced, on one side know better. No coach should permit his greatest hope for a complete overhaul of of the paper only, with wide borders. Photos charges to fence in an unsafe and illegal ucational advantages of competitiv should be glossy finish and with a complete cap all amateur sports during the next quadren tion. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned m3nner. Let us hope this warning is not in nial in preparation for the 1980 Olympics. the values of amateurism, and the unless submitted with a stamped self addressed independence in a free society. n envelope. No anonymous articles accepted. vain. The AFLA, in reply to a question "What enormous burden and an awesome Send all contributions to: are the major problems facing your sport ibility. Yet for the first time in mal Ralph M. Goldstein in amateur competition" indicated that the 397 Concord Road the importance of this concept Yonkers, N.Y. 10710 major problem is money, stating "The high recognized, publicized, and treated President: Stephen B. Sobel, 18 Beverly Road cost of travel and training for international Cedar Grove. New Jersey 07009. dignity and responsibility it deserve CHRISTMAS PRESENT competitions results in the loss of many Secretary: ~:~~fj~id~~~~t~~~s~~9 o~~~~. Place, outstanding athletes and our teams are For all underdeveloped amateur, DEADLINE FOR 1976 ISSUES With some close cooperation between constantly at a competitive disadvantage the United States, an oasis has , Closing Date Mailing Santa Claus and the Stork, EI izabeth Gio competing against the 'amateurs' of other been created in the middle of a Issue Date for Copy Date vanna was del ivered to Jean and John countries who are often in full time train desert. It remains now to be cultivi Mar./April Feb. 10 Mar. 31 Nonna on Christmas Day, 1975. American ing under fully paid national coaches". made available for all in critical MaylJune Mar. 10 May 31 July I August June 10 July 3 Fencing extends its sincere felicitations. Other problems mentioned included the in- the new resources it can provide. Page Two AMERICAN FENCING AMERICAN FENCING AFLA RULES COMMISSION Class 1 A: The written examinations which the Rules with respect to the commands " DEVELOPS FENCING OFFICIALS This ranking is conferred by the Executive Commission administers measure the knowl "halt" and where with relation to t by Richard Gradkowski Committee of the division, upon the candi edge of the rules which a candidate pos Does he reconstruct accurately, d date's having fulfilled the conditions set sesses. However, it is well known that the who made the attack, the parry , The existence of a corps of competent forth above, and upon verification by the fencing Official must perform on the strip or counter riposte, or stop hit? I fencing officials is very important to the U.S. Rules Commission. The U.S. Rules a task much more complex than could be terpret the difference between an development of U.S. fencing. Good officiat Commission will furnish a written exam to indicated solely by a written examination. a preparation, a timing action , ing at all levels bears a profound influence the division and will grade the exam when it In many fields a PERFORMANCE EVALUA timing action? on both the quality and style of fencing is taken. Class IA Directors are accredited TION is utilized to give a better all round A performance evaluation form actions. Those of us who have had the ex to officiate on the divisional level. The ex idea of a candidate's capability. The Per developed by the Commission on , perience of being subjected to incompetent amination for this level concentrates on formance Evaluation will be administered of these criteria is rated, with or indifferent officiating understand only fundamental concepts and procedures and by, wherever possible, a minimum of two for general comments by the exar too well how poor directing can disturb is straightforward and without trick ques commission examiners, each acting inde one's fencing efforts. Such incompetent If U.S. fencing is to progress t, tions. The examination content is steered pendently. Each examiner will observe the officiating can be especially crucial to the to which we would like, we must for insuring that the director has the basic candidate for the following qua I ities and novice fencer at the high school or colle ficient high quality officials. equipment to begin his career as a sound rate him according to a scale of 1 through giate level. An inconsistent or incorrect in people who are willing to dedic official. The test consists of forty multiple 5 (five being the best). Candidates prepar terpretation of the rules or of the right of selves to the study and applicat choice questions, a separate exam being ing themselves for examination and officials way can permanently mar the learning of rules, and who are serious in it given for each weapon.

Load more