Running the IFCSC OPEN Tournament
- The annual Open is a fundraiser for the Conference. Entry fees are typically $15-$20 per person per event. The Conference will keep the proceeds from entry fees, and will pay for all tournament costs (referees, bout committee, lunches, etc).
- Although the host school does not make money from the Open, the benefit of running the event is that the school does not need to travel, and can therefore have more participants.
- The annual Open is to be run like a USFA tournament. The host school should make every attempt to obtain FencingTime and use that software for event management. The tournament should be posted on askfred.net.
- Note: somebody from the host school should obtain bout committee status on askfred.net.
- The host school is responsible for set-up and tear-down. This includes taping down the strips, arranging for tables and chairs, organizing a bout committee, etc. Try to set up early. Try to get it done the night before if at all possible.
- Visiting schools are responsible for bringing additional strips. Each should should have at least one complete strip (reels, floor cords, scoring machine, etc). If possible, visiting schools should bring more than one strip.
- Host school should have clipboards, pencils and a sharpener, a printer and extra paper, stopwatches, etc.
- Visiting schools should bring extra weights and shims. The host school might need to remind everyone of this.
- When taping strips, use painter’s tape and plan on at least half a roll per strip. Make sure the end lines, two-meter warning lines, and on-guard lines are obvious. Also, make sure the warning zone is delineated from the rest of the strip. For example, the host could tape a giant “x” over the last two meters. Or make the two-meter line thicker or a different color. Also, make sure the side boundaries are recognizable. For more information on how to set up a fencing strip, consult the USFA rulebook.
- Generally, the strips used by the IFCSC are 1.5 meters in width. The minimum width is 1.2 meters. The maximum is 2 meters.
- Make sure there is adequate power feeding each of the strips. It is generally advised to have a single table in between strips where scoring machines can be set. An extension cord should feed each table. If the extension cord does not have a splitter, then you will need power strips. Make sure there is adequate room between the strip and the table. 3 feet is enough.
- Try to set up 12-15 strips.
- Orientation of strips: To the best of your ability, plan ahead for distractions like sunlight.
- Also, plan for a table and chairs for bout committee, and a table and chairs for the armorer.
- Food for the referees: The host school should arrange for coffee (at a minimum) for the referees, and will need to make arrangements for lunch. The Conference will reimburse for these costs.
- Remember: Pencils and clipboards and stop watches and weights and shims.
- Questions or concerns should be addressed to the IFCSC President.
As of 28 May 2015