The important thing about presiding is to make a quick decision and to be able to phrase the fight. If the action is messy and both fencers hit do not give the point either way. Listed below are the most common things to look out for with the answers to give to the fencers.

'si vous etes en france vous pouvez utiliser le francais mais quand vous etes en Angleterre ?'

1. Attack (left) counter attack (right).

Decision. The attack is from my left.

2. Attacks together simultaneous.

Decision. The attacks are simultaneous. (Together)

3. Attack left Parry riposte right.

Decision .The attack from my left is parried, the riposte is good.

4. Attack left Parry riposte right, attack continues (Both fencers hit)

Decision. (Looking at the attacker) Your attack is parried the riposte is good, you continue out of time.

5. Attack left with a bent arm. While arm is bent not moving forward Right executes a stop hit.

Decision. Looking at left .You have a bent arm therefore the stop hit is in time.

This decision will normally result in some sort of argument about current interpretation of the rules.

6. Both fencers charged in hoping for the best it’s a mess) they are both looking at you waiting to find out which way it is going to go.

Decision. Polite. There is no clear right of way En guard.

Decision. Not so polite. It’s a mess En guard.

There could be many more examples but these will be adequate for club fencing.

You need a good understanding of fencing time, to be able to look for breaks in the attack and delays in ripostes etc. This takes much practice and the best way to practice is in club time when your decision is not the end of the world.

You must give a confident analysis of what has happened.

Do not:

Look at the floor when giving a decision.

Use ambiguous words like 'I think.'

Do Use:

the words En guard, ready, play .To start the fight and leave a gap between ready and play in case the fencers are not ready.