Comments for Mid-South Fencers' Club http://midsouthfencersclub.org Olympic Fencing in the Research Triangle Mon, 20 Sep 2010 05:02:01 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Summer Nationals Day 7- Three Events, Three Medals by Jen Oldham http://midsouthfencersclub.org/2010/07/summer-nationals-day-7-three-events-three-medals/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Jen Oldham Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:37:47 +0000 http://midsouthfencersclub.org/2010/07/10/summer-nationals-day-7-three-events-three-medals/#comment-14 Thanks for posting SOMETHING!!! What an exhausting, but wonderful 10 days!!! Not enough time for us to detail all the wonderful things... Great Job everyone! Thanks for posting SOMETHING!!! What an exhausting, but wonderful 10 days!!! Not enough time for us to detail all the wonderful things… Great Job everyone!

]]> Comment on ATL – DAY 1 “Referee Manipulation 101″ by Matthew Cox http://midsouthfencersclub.org/2010/07/atlanta-day-1-referee-manipulation-101/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Matthew Cox Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:56:33 +0000 http://midsouthfencersclub.org/?p=1450#comment-13 There's a distinct need for the FOC to bring up the stronger referees, and to find the right place for the weaker/non-current ones. My experience on the "other side" has been to be the recipient of derision, flattery, and sincere thanks. Some referees will justify their opinions with "But so-and-so likes me," which has merit, in some cases. The best referees have approval outside of one or two coaches. The best referees can rely on more than simple flattery and puffery to back up their opinions. The best referees get peer-to-peer feedback from coaches, like professional discussions. I think that only when there is an opportunity to have that type of professional discussion can we improve our refereeing cadre, and get beyond the referees that are deaf to feedback, the ones that put their ego out front for the sake of protection. I firmly believe that the FOC is trying to change that, slowly. Very slowly. How do we as younger coaches and referees take the reins and create this dialogue at a more productive level? There’s a distinct need for the FOC to bring up the stronger referees, and to find the right place for the weaker/non-current ones. My experience on the “other side” has been to be the recipient of derision, flattery, and sincere thanks. Some referees will justify their opinions with “But so-and-so likes me,” which has merit, in some cases.

The best referees have approval outside of one or two coaches. The best referees can rely on more than simple flattery and puffery to back up their opinions. The best referees get peer-to-peer feedback from coaches, like professional discussions.

I think that only when there is an opportunity to have that type of professional discussion can we improve our refereeing cadre, and get beyond the referees that are deaf to feedback, the ones that put their ego out front for the sake of protection. I firmly believe that the FOC is trying to change that, slowly. Very slowly.

How do we as younger coaches and referees take the reins and create this dialogue at a more productive level?

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