Wheelchair Fencing Refereeing

Referee Zone > Wheelchair Fencing Refereeing

Some important differences between standing and wheelchair fencing are:

Due to the close proximity of the fencers, far more yellow cards are issued for fencers starting early.
Fencers must keep their feet on the footplates of the chair and must not touch the piste with their feet.
For epee, a lame apron is used to cover non-target area, i.e. from the waist down.
Referee assistants may be appointed to check that fencers are not lifting from the chair.

BF Wheelchair Referee Pathway

Click here to view the BF Wheelchair Referee Pathway.

International Wheelchair Refereeing Pathway

To qualify as an international wheelchair fencing referee, you must follow the three-stage WPF process set out below.

Stage 1: Lecture and seminar with a written theory exam. This can last a full day, as the full process is a minimum of 4-5 hours.
Stage 2: First practical assessment. This can only be undertaken at a training camp before a World Cup, or satellite competition (and can not be assessed by own country’s WPF examiner).
Stage 3: Final practical exam to be taken at a World Cup.

Learning Resources

WPF refereeing resources can be found here.

Referee Classification & Register

Click here to see the Wheelchair Referee Register.

A guide to the classification of the WPF referee qualifications:

Candidate (Ca): a referee who has passed the theory examination but not yet passed either of the two practical examinations for that specific weapon.
Provisional (P): a referee who has passed the theory examination and first practical examination for a particular weapon, but not the final practical examination.
WPF B (B): a referee who has passed the theory examination and both practical examinations for a particular weapon and is registered with IWAS as an active referee.

To find out more or express an interest in becoming a wheelchair fencing referee or examiner, please contact development@britishfencing.com.