Fencers might not be familiar with video replay on the local or regional level, but we are fortunate enough in the USFA to have this system in place at every NAC.
Having a second referee (and usually, a crowd) on your strip can be intimidating and overwhelming. Here are the basics you’ll need to know about video replay and the rules that go with it so you can be prepared going in!
When You Will See Video Replay:
In points events (Div 1, Junior, Cadet), video replay ALWAYS starts in the top 16. In the younger age categories (Y14, Y12, Y10), they will at least be in the top 8 bouts.
Ranking events (Div 2, Div 3, Div 1A) typically do not see video until top 4, though recently this has expanded in some events to top 8 (for Div 1A) given strip availability.
Video replay is used in 15 touch DE bouts (or 10 for Veterans/Y10 fencers) and never in 5 touch bouts with exceptions for college championships (NCAAs, Ivy League, ACCs). It is also used in 45 touch team finals.
The Rules:
You are given 2 WRONG video challenges in the bout. If you challenge a call and it gets changed, you KEEP your challenge. This means you could theoretically have 100 video challenges if the bout is incredibly difficult or the referee struggles. Team matches allow one wrong challenge per each of the 9 matchups.
The referee is allowed to look at the video replay on his/her own with no penalty to either fencer. They may do this as much as they want as it is in everyone’s interest to make the correct call, but obviously the athletes’ and coaches’ confidence in the referee’s ability wanes with the number of times it is checked.
At the deciding point (14-14, 9-9, 44-44, or in tied priority overtime) the referee MUST look at the video before making the call. This applies to both two light AND one light calls in case there was a penalty like covering / crossing feet in saber, or one fencer was off the strip.
After the Bout:
The fencers and coaches may not look at the video replay DURING the bout, but after the match is over (provided there is not another one starting), you may go back and peruse the touches at your leisure. I HIGHLY recommend this, whether you win or lose, because it is immensely developmental and helpful.
The replay ONLY records the few seconds before a light goes off, so the endless bouncing around in between epee and foil touches is condensed to just when the action happens. If you have a USB, with permission, you may download the touches for your own viewing.
Now…
Now that you are familiar with the basics of video replay, you’ll be better able to handle the responsibility! Keep practicing so you can make it into those video rounds and use your newfound knowledge!