This area contains links to resources available from the United States Fencing Association (USFA) and basic information about tournaments, ratings, weapons, and other equipment.

Resources from USFA

For information about fencing, including schedules, documents, lists of equipment vendors and more, visit the USFA web site.

The following are useful references available for free download from the USFA:

• USFA Rule Book
• USFA Membership Application (required for most tournaments)
• USFA Classification Chart
• USFA Qualifications Path to National Events
• USFA Score Sheets
• USFA Penalty Chart
• USFA Operations Manual
• USFA Newsletters

 

Tournaments

Tournaments are competitions between fencers. A tournament is made up of a series of bouts where two fencers compete to see who can score the most touches. Tournaments are divided into two phases: round-robin pool bouts and direct elimination bouts. In the first phase of a tournament, fencers are divided into pools of five to seven fencers, where each pool has about the same distribution of high-rated and low-rated fencers. Each fencer bouts every other fencer in their pool (bouts to five touches) to earn a seeding in the direct elimination (DE) bouts. The DEs are ordered so that the top seed fences the last seed, the second seed fences the next to last seed, and so forth. The object of this arrangement is that the fencers of roughly equal strength are seeded in the middle and bout each other. As the DEs proceed (bouts to 15 touches), the losing fencer is eliminated from the tournament and the winning fencer advances. The winner of the tournament is the person who wins all their DE bouts. Fencers earn ratings based on their place in the tournament and that tournament's rating.

Ratings

Ratings measure the skill level of fencers. Ratings are earned by competing in tournaments and include A (highest), B, C, D, E, and U (for "unrated"). Each tournament has a rating level depending on the fencers who compete in that tournament. The following rating classification chart explains how tournaments are rated. When a user wins a rating, the year is included, so, for example, a D02 is a D rating earned in 2002. Ratings are earned for three years, after which the fencer, if they have not re-earned (called "confirming") their rating, becomes a U again. Ratings are earned separately for foil, epee, and sabre.

 

Weapons

The three weapons used in Olympic fencing are foil, epee, and sabre. Each weapon has slightly different rules. Foil, for example, is a light-weight weapon where the fencer scores by poking his opponent with the tip of the weapon anywhere on the torso, front or back. Epee is heavier than foil where the fencer scores by poking his opponent with the tip of the weapon anywhere on the body or mask. Sabre is both a cutting and point-touch weapon where the fencer scores by hitting his opponent anywhere above the belt, including the mask. Foil and sabre also have the notion of right of way where double-touches (where both fencers touch at the same time) are awarded to only one fencer. In epee, both fencers are awarded points on double-touches. Touches are determined by an electric scoring machine. Each fencer's weapon is connected to wires that run to the scoring machine. When a fencer touches on a valid target area, a colored lamp (usually red or green) indicates the touch. When a fencer touches off target, a white lamp indicates an invalid touch. The action stops when a lamp lights. At Royal Arts, we currently instruct in foil and epee and will be adding sabre in the future.

 

Equipment

Fencing in tournaments requires the following equipment: mask, weapon, lame, body cord, jacket, plastron, chest protector, glove, knickers, cup, socks, shoes. (Information about beginners' fencing needs is found below.) The following describes the equipment in more detail:

• The mask completely encloses and protects the head and throat. The front of the mask is made from a mesh of heavy-gauge steel. The sides and bib, which protects the throat, are canvas. The back is open to allow the entry of the head. Masks are usually inspected at the beginning of each tournament to ensure they will adequately protect the fencer.
• The weapon is either a foil, epee, or sabre, and is either an electric weapon which can be connected to a scoring machine or a practice weapon used for "dry" fencing. When fencing in tournaments, fencers must have two working electric weapons with them.
• The lame is a light jacket made of conductive threads used in foil and sabre fencing. Touches made on the lame are scored as valid hits.
• The body cord is an electrical cord that attaches both the weapon and the lame to the scoring machine.When fencing in tournaments, fencers must have two working body cords with them.
• The jacket is made from canvas or other heavy material (sometimes Kevlar) and protects the fencer's neck, arms, and torso.
• The plastron is made from canvas or other heavy material (sometimes Kevlar) and is worn under the jacket to help protect the chest, ribs, and underarm against bruising and accidental puncture in the event a weapon breaks.
• The chest protector is a plastic shield worn under the jacket and either over or under the plastron. The chest protector is designed to provide extra protection to the chest and breasts.
• The glove is worn on the weapon hand to protect it from the opponent's weapon. The non-weapon hand is usually bare.
• The knickers are knee-length pants made from canvas or other heavy material (sometimes Kevlar) which the fencer wears to protect their legs.
• The cup is a plastic protector worn by male fencers to protect them from strikes to the groin. The groin is a valid target in foil and epee.
• Socks are, well, socks that are long enough to go up past the knees and help protect the shins from leg strikes.
• Shoes are special fencing shoes that provide better traction on the strip. Many fencers use tennis or running shoes, but if you become actively involved with fencing, it is recommended that you purchase fencing shoes since they make a noticeable difference in mobility. The cost is similar to running shoes ($70 to $150).

Royal Arts has some equipment new fencers can use to ensure they will enjoy the sport before buying equipment. After deciding to continue, fencers must purchase their own equipment. The cost of equipment varies depending on quality and completeness. The cost for a beginner's dry foil fencing set (mask, weapon, jacket, chest protector, glove, and carrying bag) is usually less than $175. For details on purchasing equipment, please speak to Julia Richey.