2003-2004

REGIONAL YOUTH CIRCUIT

GUIDELINES

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  1. There will be a maximum of four Regional Youth Circuit (RYC) tournaments per Region for the 2003-2004 season.
  2. Non-hosting clubs are encouraged to help with equipment and refereeing.
  3. Entries are open to youth in the host region who are USFA members and any other youth fencers in other regions who are USFA or FIE members.

TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION

  1. For this season we recommend that all RYC hosts use online pre-registration available at www.askfred.net. We also recommend that all hosts use the FencingTime software available for download at this website. The software will automatically download pre-registered youth fencers, make pools, seeding, DE tables, and upload results for Internet viewing after the event.
  2. All events may be mixed (Girls and Boys), but separate regional point totals will be kept for girls and boys and each fencer is given their full point earnings from the mixed events. RYCs, which are designated at Super RYCs, will have separate events for girls and boys in each weapon and will follow the USFA point system for 2003-2004.
  3. The events may be held in all three weapons for the age groups Y10, Y12, and Y14. Events may be held at sepearate locations for different weapons. There will no longer be Cadet events at the RYCs. Organizers are encouraged to host an additional, unofficial "Moppettos" event as well. This would be a foil event for ages 10 and under that would consist of one round of pools only, with no win/loss record kept. All Moppetto competitors would receive a medal/award.
  4. Organizers must award separate prizes for the boys’ and girls’ results. Each event organizer must give awards to the top three boys’ and girls’ in each event. There will not be a fence off for the bronze medal.
  5. Official USFA rules must be enforced at each tournament. Organizers hosting a tournament that need a rulebook or assistance in this area must notify the RYC Coordinator prior to the tournament.
  6. Initial seeding will be posted at least 5 minutes prior to posting pools.
  7. Pools will be posted for all athletes to see.
  8. Weapons will be checked (weights, shims, etc.) during pools and DEs for all events. Y10 weapons MUST BE 0 or 2 blades.
  9. At the end of pools, before athlete leaves the strip they must sign the score sheet.
  10. Before the Direct Elimination chart is posted the results from pools must be posted listing indicators and victories. Fencers and coaches will have five minutes after the posting to request corrections. After the five minutes are up and DEs have begun, the posted results will be final.
  11. All fencers must be USFA members. USFA membership must be offered at the door to all athletes. If the athlete forgets their membership card they must fill out the form and pay for their membership for the protection of all parties. Once their membership is verified the check may be destroyed or money sent back. Keep the money collected for membership separate from all other funds collected.
  12. The cost for athletes will be $20.00 for the first event and $10.00 each additional event. This is a set fee that cannot be altered unless the RYC Coordinator pre-approves a change.
  13. Each RYC tournament organizer must collect a $1 tax from each participant. If a participant enters more than one event at any particular competition there will be a $1 tax for each additional event. These tax funds should be sent directly to the RYC Coordinator and will be used at the end of the year for the final prizes. The tax can be included in the registration fee or added on top of it. This money should be kept separate from all other funds collected and immediately sent to the coordinator following the conclusion of the tournament. If the coordinator does not receive the head tax in a timely fashion it constitutes the hosting club renouncing the privilege of hosting a RYC tournament the following year.
  14. Each hosting organization will pay a $50 hosting fee to the RYC Coordinator. These fees will be used along with the head taxes to purchase prizes at the end of the season.
  15. Seeding at each RYC competition must be based on these factors and in this order:
  1. 1st National Rating i.e. A00, E01, etc.
  2. 2nd Regional Points to date.
  3. 3rd If the athlete has none of the above points or ratings you must go by the amount of time they have been fencing.

An updated regional point standing list will be issued to the tournament organizer prior to the tournament

  1. Organizers must be aware the ages of all the athletes to insure the integrity of the event. The age guidelines are posted every season on the Official WebSite of the USFA.

    2. NOTE - Age standards are based on USFA rules which state age cutoff is as of January 1, 2004 for 2003-2004 season.

  2. Pre-registration is required for RYC organizers. Fliers must be sent to all clubs at least 2 weeks prior to the event (earlier than that is better). Make sure to include the following things; date, registration closing times for all events, a note stating that USFA rules will be followed, proof of USFA membership is required and membership can be obtained at the tournament.
  3. Organizers are REQUIRED to use knowledgeable referees. The fees generated from this tournament easily facilitate the organizer's ability to pay referees. It is very important that the youth, the future of fencing, receive a high standard of refereeing.

POINT STANDINGS

  1. RYC points will be awarded based on the number of entries. The first place finisher will receive as many points as there are entries and the last place finisher will receive one point. Example, if there are ten entries first place receives ten points, second place receives nine points, third receives eight points and so on.
  2. The point standings will be based on the best three out of a maximum of four point scores earned (or two out of three if we only have three tournaments per region) At the last RYC event, the top three point holders in each event will receive awards and recognition. To receive an award the fencer must have attended at least two RYC tournaments. This is designed to reward consistent participation as well as performance.
  3. The nature of the prizes is to be determined each year depending on the amount of funds at the end of the season.
  4. In case of a tie in point standings at the end of the year the following criteria will determine the final ranking:
  1. The fencer who attended the most RYC for that season
  2. If the above results in a tie then the fencer who is attending the final RYC of that season
  3. If a tie still remains the final rankings of the fencers will be determined in a fence off.
  1. As soon as the RYC Coordinator receives the results the updated standings will be either posted on the Sectional/Division Web page or emailed to all contacts on the RYC mailing list. To be placed on the mailing list send a letter to the Coordinator listing a phone number, email address and physical address.