REFEREE EXAM, EPEE
UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Question 1.
The Referee observes a small hole in the conductive strip while the bout is in progress. What should
the Referee do?
A. Wait until a normal halt and then have the hole repaired.
B. Wait until the bout is complete and then have the hole repaired.
C. Call "Halt!" and have the hole repaired.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). Safety is the highest priority for the fencers. Calling a halt to fix something that is a
trip hazard is important. Relevant Rule(s): t.69
Question 2.
How may the epee blade be bent?
A. Up or down.
B. No bend is allowed.
C. Down only.
ANSWER
Answer: (A). The maximum bend allowed is less than one centimeter, located near the center
of the blade and in one direction (no s-curves) on the vertical plane. Relevant Rule(s): m.16.2
Question 3.
Fencer X is hit and presents his epee for testing. How many times should the Referee press the tip
down for the test?
A. Three times.
B. Twice while bending the blade both up and down.
C. At least once, and/or as often as the referee deems necessary.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). It is not necessary for the failure to repeat, just that it has occurred once under the
referee's supervision. Relevant Rule(s): t.56.6
, Question 4.
What should the referee check about the inside of an epee bell guard?
A. The two epee wires must be soldered to the socket; there must be a security device for the body
cord.
B. The two epee wires must be contained in a single piece of insulated sheath and covered by a
cushion (padding); there must be a security device for the body cord.
C. The two epee wires must be individually covered with insulated sheaths and covered by
a cushion (padding) sufficiently wide to protect the electric wires from the fencer's fingers; there may
be no covering (e.g., tape) on an orthopedic handle that could hide wires or switches; there must be a
security device for the body cord; the connections must be so arranged so that it is impossible for the
fencer to break or make contact with the wires while fencing.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). Every bout the referee needs to look in the guard and under the epee sized guard
pad to see that each wire has its own insulation. There is NO TAPING wires to the guard (clear
tape is ok - you need to be able to see the wire) and no taping or insulating the wires together.
The referee must inspect the entirety of the wires down to the bell guard. Ensure that the
weapon has a body cord securing device (fastener/ bail) present and functions. Relevant
Rule(s): m.31.5-7, m.4
Question 5.
Fencer X attacks, and the Referee clearly sees the machine indicate a good touch when Fencer X's point
is on the blade in front of Fencer Y's guard. An inspection reveals no rust, glue or other foreign
substance on the blade. What should the Referee do?
A. Award a touch for Fencer X.
B. Annul the touch.
C. Annul the touch if the Referee can recreate the situation.
ANSWER
Answer: (B). If the referee clearly sees that the touch was on the guard or the conductive strip,
the referee can annul the point. Relevant Rule(s): t.56, t.94
UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Question 1.
The Referee observes a small hole in the conductive strip while the bout is in progress. What should
the Referee do?
A. Wait until a normal halt and then have the hole repaired.
B. Wait until the bout is complete and then have the hole repaired.
C. Call "Halt!" and have the hole repaired.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). Safety is the highest priority for the fencers. Calling a halt to fix something that is a
trip hazard is important. Relevant Rule(s): t.69
Question 2.
How may the epee blade be bent?
A. Up or down.
B. No bend is allowed.
C. Down only.
ANSWER
Answer: (A). The maximum bend allowed is less than one centimeter, located near the center
of the blade and in one direction (no s-curves) on the vertical plane. Relevant Rule(s): m.16.2
Question 3.
Fencer X is hit and presents his epee for testing. How many times should the Referee press the tip
down for the test?
A. Three times.
B. Twice while bending the blade both up and down.
C. At least once, and/or as often as the referee deems necessary.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). It is not necessary for the failure to repeat, just that it has occurred once under the
referee's supervision. Relevant Rule(s): t.56.6
, Question 4.
What should the referee check about the inside of an epee bell guard?
A. The two epee wires must be soldered to the socket; there must be a security device for the body
cord.
B. The two epee wires must be contained in a single piece of insulated sheath and covered by a
cushion (padding); there must be a security device for the body cord.
C. The two epee wires must be individually covered with insulated sheaths and covered by
a cushion (padding) sufficiently wide to protect the electric wires from the fencer's fingers; there may
be no covering (e.g., tape) on an orthopedic handle that could hide wires or switches; there must be a
security device for the body cord; the connections must be so arranged so that it is impossible for the
fencer to break or make contact with the wires while fencing.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). Every bout the referee needs to look in the guard and under the epee sized guard
pad to see that each wire has its own insulation. There is NO TAPING wires to the guard (clear
tape is ok - you need to be able to see the wire) and no taping or insulating the wires together.
The referee must inspect the entirety of the wires down to the bell guard. Ensure that the
weapon has a body cord securing device (fastener/ bail) present and functions. Relevant
Rule(s): m.31.5-7, m.4
Question 5.
Fencer X attacks, and the Referee clearly sees the machine indicate a good touch when Fencer X's point
is on the blade in front of Fencer Y's guard. An inspection reveals no rust, glue or other foreign
substance on the blade. What should the Referee do?
A. Award a touch for Fencer X.
B. Annul the touch.
C. Annul the touch if the Referee can recreate the situation.
ANSWER
Answer: (B). If the referee clearly sees that the touch was on the guard or the conductive strip,
the referee can annul the point. Relevant Rule(s): t.56, t.94
