REFEREE EXAM EPEE EXPECTED QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
No penalties have been given. Fencer X comes on the strip with their hair loose so that it conceals the
fencer's name on the back of their jacket. The fencer's last name is only on the back of the jacket and
not on the leg. What should the referee do?
A. Allow Fencer X to fence with their hair down as their name is printed on the side of their mask
B. Give Fencer X a YELLOW CARD and require them to tie their hair so that it will not conceal the name
on the back of the jacket.
C. Allow Fencer X time to acquire a hair tie, and tie their hair so that it does not conceal the name on
the back.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). The referee and spectators must be able to see the fencer's name at all times
during competition, while on strip. It is best to inform the fencers that you will enforce that
rule during your roll call of the pool. Relevant Rule(s): t.86.2
Question 2.
Double touches are registered. Fencer Y has clearly hit Fencer X, but Fencer X's touch is doubtful. What
should the Referee do?
A. Annul the double touch.
B. Fencer Y may decide to have the double touch awarded or annulled
C. Fencer X may decide to have the double touch awarded or annulled.
ANSWER
Answer: (B). While refereeing you have a double touch, one you know is valid and the other
doubtful, ask the fencer whose touch you know is valid if s/he wants it to be a double or both
touches annulled. Relevant Rule(s): t.94.5
,Question 3.
No penalties have been given. Fencer X drags the point of the epee along the strip while retreating.
What should the Referee do?
A. Call "Halt!"; Fencer X receives a RED CARD.
B. Allow fencing to continue because the point is being dragged, not pushed
C. Call "Halt!"; Fencer X receives a YELLOW CARD.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). A fencer is not allowed to drag the point on the conductive strip. Doing so is a
Yellow Card. It can damage the strip and the fencer's weapon Relevant Rule(s): t.90.2, t.170
Question 4.
Fencer Y attacks with a jump-flèche and crosses the lateral boundary of the strip with both feet. Before
his feet hit the ground outside of the strip, he lands his attack on Fencer X. Fencer X had started a
counter attack before Fencer Y left the strip. The machine indicates a double touch. What should the
Referee do?
A. Award a touch only for Fencer X. Fencer Y receives a YELLOW CARD.
B. Award a touch only for Fencer X.
C. Award a double touch.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). In this case the "halt" would be when the fencer doing the fleche feet hit the
ground. Since both hits landed prior to that, both touches are awarded. Relevant Rule(s): t.35
, Question 5.
No preliminary weapons checks have been performed at the competition. In the first bout in a pool,
Fencer X presents a weapon with a French grip that is bent at such an angle so that the end of the
handle protrudes 3 cm beyond the bell guard. What should the Referee do?
A. Confiscate the weapon, and have it checked by the experts. If the experts determine the weapon is
illegal, Fencer X receives a YELLOW CARD.
B. Confiscate the weapon, and have it checked by the experts. If the experts determine the weapon is
illegal, Fencer X receives a RED CARD.
C. Give a visual inspection of the weapon on the strip. If the bend appears to be legal, allow Fencer X to
use weapon.
ANSWER
Answer: (A). The referee inspects the wires in the guard every bout. Each wire must have its
own insulation/ spaghetti tubing that is present from the guard to the socket. The fencer with
the nonconforming weapon is issued a group 1 warning (for the bout). Relevant Rule(s):
m.9.1-2, m.17
Question 6.
Two touches have been scored by Fencer Y. After the second touch, it is found that the floor cable
connected to Fencer X's reel has become unplugged. What should the referee do?
A. Annul only the last touch.
B. Annul both touches.
C. Do not annul any touches.
ANSWER
Answer: (A) Only the last touch made before the fault was established can be annulled.
Relevant Rule(s): t.56.1
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
No penalties have been given. Fencer X comes on the strip with their hair loose so that it conceals the
fencer's name on the back of their jacket. The fencer's last name is only on the back of the jacket and
not on the leg. What should the referee do?
A. Allow Fencer X to fence with their hair down as their name is printed on the side of their mask
B. Give Fencer X a YELLOW CARD and require them to tie their hair so that it will not conceal the name
on the back of the jacket.
C. Allow Fencer X time to acquire a hair tie, and tie their hair so that it does not conceal the name on
the back.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). The referee and spectators must be able to see the fencer's name at all times
during competition, while on strip. It is best to inform the fencers that you will enforce that
rule during your roll call of the pool. Relevant Rule(s): t.86.2
Question 2.
Double touches are registered. Fencer Y has clearly hit Fencer X, but Fencer X's touch is doubtful. What
should the Referee do?
A. Annul the double touch.
B. Fencer Y may decide to have the double touch awarded or annulled
C. Fencer X may decide to have the double touch awarded or annulled.
ANSWER
Answer: (B). While refereeing you have a double touch, one you know is valid and the other
doubtful, ask the fencer whose touch you know is valid if s/he wants it to be a double or both
touches annulled. Relevant Rule(s): t.94.5
,Question 3.
No penalties have been given. Fencer X drags the point of the epee along the strip while retreating.
What should the Referee do?
A. Call "Halt!"; Fencer X receives a RED CARD.
B. Allow fencing to continue because the point is being dragged, not pushed
C. Call "Halt!"; Fencer X receives a YELLOW CARD.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). A fencer is not allowed to drag the point on the conductive strip. Doing so is a
Yellow Card. It can damage the strip and the fencer's weapon Relevant Rule(s): t.90.2, t.170
Question 4.
Fencer Y attacks with a jump-flèche and crosses the lateral boundary of the strip with both feet. Before
his feet hit the ground outside of the strip, he lands his attack on Fencer X. Fencer X had started a
counter attack before Fencer Y left the strip. The machine indicates a double touch. What should the
Referee do?
A. Award a touch only for Fencer X. Fencer Y receives a YELLOW CARD.
B. Award a touch only for Fencer X.
C. Award a double touch.
ANSWER
Answer: (C). In this case the "halt" would be when the fencer doing the fleche feet hit the
ground. Since both hits landed prior to that, both touches are awarded. Relevant Rule(s): t.35
, Question 5.
No preliminary weapons checks have been performed at the competition. In the first bout in a pool,
Fencer X presents a weapon with a French grip that is bent at such an angle so that the end of the
handle protrudes 3 cm beyond the bell guard. What should the Referee do?
A. Confiscate the weapon, and have it checked by the experts. If the experts determine the weapon is
illegal, Fencer X receives a YELLOW CARD.
B. Confiscate the weapon, and have it checked by the experts. If the experts determine the weapon is
illegal, Fencer X receives a RED CARD.
C. Give a visual inspection of the weapon on the strip. If the bend appears to be legal, allow Fencer X to
use weapon.
ANSWER
Answer: (A). The referee inspects the wires in the guard every bout. Each wire must have its
own insulation/ spaghetti tubing that is present from the guard to the socket. The fencer with
the nonconforming weapon is issued a group 1 warning (for the bout). Relevant Rule(s):
m.9.1-2, m.17
Question 6.
Two touches have been scored by Fencer Y. After the second touch, it is found that the floor cable
connected to Fencer X's reel has become unplugged. What should the referee do?
A. Annul only the last touch.
B. Annul both touches.
C. Do not annul any touches.
ANSWER
Answer: (A) Only the last touch made before the fault was established can be annulled.
Relevant Rule(s): t.56.1
