USA Fencing Equipment Rules and Standards

Rules for fencing competitions in the USA, based on FIE rules.

International Federation of Fencing rules.

Version of the rules adapted for use in the USA.

Rules are reworded for easier understanding.

Significant changes and restructuring of the rulebook.

Primary document for the structure and running of tournaments.

Guidance for interpreting the rules from other languages into English.

Fixing errors from previous versions of the rules.

Foil, épée, and sabre are the three types of fencing weapons used in competition.

Includes the weapon, protective mask, and clothing used in fencing competitions

Equipment used to record and display the points scored during a fencing match.

Process of inspecting equipment to ensure it meets the required safety and competition standards.

Regulations for producing fencing equipment to protect the fencers and ensure fair competition.

A type of fencing weapon where points are scored by hitting the opponent's torso.

A type of fencing weapon where points are scored by hitting anywhere on the opponent's body.

A type of fencing weapon where points are scored by hitting the opponent's torso, arms, and head.

Hold the weapon with the thumb's upper surface aligned with the blade groove (foil/épée) or perpendicular to the blade's flexible plane (sabre).

Fencing must be done with only one hand. Changing hands is not allowed except on Referee's permission for injury.

The fencer called first stands to the Referee's right, except if the other fencer is left-handed. Teams with more right-handed fencers are on the right.

Both fencers are placed centered on the width of the strip front foot immediately behind the 'on-guard' lines.

If a touch is scored, competitors are placed in the middle of the strip. Otherwise, they return to the previous position they occupied before the interruption.

At the start of each fencing period and subsequent minutes, fencers are positioned in the middle of the strip.

A fencer can't be repositioned to place them behind the rear line if they were previously ahead of it before a pause in the bout.

Fencing competitors must be positioned in a way that their blades can't touch each other.

A final touch in fencing when the score is tied after regulation time, with a one-minute maximum.

If scores are equal at the end of regulation time, fencers have a deciding touch.

In épée, during the deciding touch, no points are awarded for double touches; score remains unchanged.

Fencing bout ends when one fencer scores 15 touches.

Fencing bout ends after 9 minutes of effective fencing time.

The fencer with the higher score at the end of a bout or a deciding touch wins.

Sabre bouts may end earlier (8 touches) if a fencer reaches 8 touches before 3 minutes in a period.

A 1-minute break is permitted between the three 3-minute periods in fencing bouts.

A loud audible signal automatically cuts off the scoring and stops the bout

Timekeeper says "Halt" or uses a signal to stop the bout when the clock isn't linked to scoring.

Referee estimates remaining time if the clock malfunctions or timekeeper makes mistakes

Touches registered after the end time are not considered valid with wireless scoring system, even if the signal light is on.

Medical breaks are limited to a maximum of 5 minutes for athlete treatment and the length is determined by the sports medical professional.

The sports medical professional makes the determination for withdrawal based on their assessment and completes a medical withdrawal form that the bout committee then includes in the report.

Fencer cannot request another medical break on the same day due to the same injury.

Only the designated medical professional on duty determines the duration of the medical time-out.

If a fencer's clothing becomes dangerous due to damage (e.g., tear or burst seam), they must replace it with spare clothing that meets the rules. If the spare clothing doesn't have the required name and nationality, the fencer has until the next stage of the competition to get them printed on it.

In USA Fencing competitions, each fencer's last name must be printed in capital letters (8-10 cm high) on either the back of their uniform or lamé between the shoulders, or on the front or side of their thigh.

Any fabric attached to the uniform for name display must be the same color as the part of the uniform it's attached to. Conductive materials must be attached without altering the conductivity of the protective vest or jacket.

Fencer names are required on uniforms at national-level tournaments like the North American Cup, Junior Olympics, and Division I National Championships.

Fencer names are not required on uniforms at regional tournaments, sectional championships, Division Qualifiers, non-National tournaments, non-Qualifier Division Level Tournaments, Sectional Circuit Tournaments, and Regional Circuit Tournaments.

If a fencer violates the name display rules, the referee will issue a Red Card, which means a penalty but the fencer can still continue the bout.

Name display on uniforms helps identify fencers during competitions, especially at larger tournaments.

Acceptable materials for name display on uniforms include fabric sewn securely to the uniform or lamé material. Tape is not allowed.