What US Fencings says it will do about NAC "no shows" in 2022/2023
NAC ‘no shows” have been an issue at NACs since the adoption of the new system that sets pools at 5pm the day before the event. Despite a hefty $250 fine, fencers continue to “no show” at NAC events and at Summer Nationals. According to US Fencing, despite the consequences, many fencers simply don’t pay their fines!
See: NAC “No shows” are a problem the $250 fine has not fixed.
Many parents have suggested that US Fencing revert to the old system of seeding and setting pools at the close of registration on the day of the event. That old system worked very well.
No going back to the old system
In several conversations with US Fencing officials, it is very clear that US Fencing will not go back to the old system. The view is that the benefit of convenience to coaches who can plan their strip coaching assignments ahead of time and the benefit of less crowding around screens at events apparently outweigh the costs to competitive fairness due to the “no shows.” It is doubtful fencers would agree with this viewpoint but US Fencing calls the shots here.
“No Shows” skew competitive fairness
The “no shows” skew the pools and their failure to notify US Fencing before 5pm the day of the event drives unfairness in many ways. Here’s a sample of the feedback that FP has received from parents on the issue:
“many fencers who are marked as “failed to appear” are later marked as “medical withdrawals, this makes no sense!”
“The “no shows” not only disadvantage those in their pool, they also throw off the competitive balance in the event. Top fencers who have a short pool end up seeded lower than they would normally be, impacting the tableau, some fencers who otherwise would make the cut may end up one win short, etc. It is just another factor making pools more random.”
“The impact is actually greatest on the up and coming fencers. A top fencer can make up for a short pool by winning all of the bouts, which just means that the indicator is lower. Even losing four points on the indicator will only move a fencer down a few spots if the fencer won 100% of the pool bouts, so established fencers are not impacted that much. But for a fencer who has a couple of pool losses, going to a short pool can be huge.”
“…the difference between the post-pools seeding of a two-loss fencer in a six-person pool and a two-loss fencer in a five-person pool is often forty spots or more at a typical NAC. This is a huge gap that sharply changes the chances of that fencer lasting until later rounds in DEs. Thus, the assignment of pools is especially unfair to younger fencers and those who are not yet established as top competitors. Thus, the assignment of pools is only going to discourage newer fencers, whom we should be encouraging to stick with the sport. To have this kind of huge competitive impact, ENTIRELY due to the timing of the pool creation, makes no sense.”
Surely US Fencing cannot be prioritizing the convenience of coaches and the avoidance of crowds around screens over competitive fairness!
What are the “no show” rules?
In May 2021, the Board approved a “no show” fee of $250 on any fencer who failed to notify US Fencing of their intention to withdraw from a national event by 5pm the day before. Exceptions would be made for medical emergencies and force majeure.
Since the implementation of the “no show” fine, large numbers of fencers have had medical emergencies that excused them from having to pay a fine.
US Fencing has clarified with FP that only fencers who experienced medical emergencies preventing them from notifying US Fencing by 5pm the day before would be excused. If a fencer had the flu and was not going to fence, that fencer would not be excused from a fine.
It is a great mystery why so many fencers have suffered medical emergencies as defined by US Fencing since the imposition of the fine!
And many more fencers have simply opted to not pay the fine and skip national tournaments from which they are barred if they fail to pay the fine.
Here’s what FP suggested to US Fencing in June 2022
USA Fencing issues another notice to all members reminding them of the "no show" rules and the $250 fine. (Some fencers are still not aware as publicity around the "no show" rules have been minimal since their implementation)
Clearly define what is a medical emergency that will excuse a "no show", and include this definition in the notice
Make clear that the fine will not be excused if the proffered excuse was not something that would have placed undue burden on the athlete to notify USA Fencing they would not be at the event.
Send an email to every NAC registrant reminding them of the above 3 points prior to every NAC.
Create a pop-up during the NAC registration process requiring fencers to acknowledge the "no show" rule and the $250 fine if they fail to comply. A fencer cannot complete their NAC registration without this acknowledgement.
Here’s what US fencing says it will do for 2022/2023
Not much new apparently!
The $250 fine will remain in place for the 2022/2023 season. Since those who fail to pay the fine are members not in good standing, they will not be allowed to:
renew their US Fencing membership
register for tournaments, national, regional and local
practice and train at their member clubs
US Fencing also plans to further monitor the situation!!!??? US Fencing has had a year’s worth of “no shows” and the experience that fined fencers don’t pay up, they simply stop competing. What else is US Fencing waiting for before they take action?
Apparently, US Fencing will also be working to communicate and educate fencers on the impact of “no shows.” Something to look forward to!
