Categories: Your First Class | What is Olympic Fencing | Fencing Resources | Equipment/Gear | Tournaments
Equipment Requirements for Tournaments
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Epee
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Foil
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Saber
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For more details into gear and suppliers head over to our Equipment/Gear page
Tips & Recommendation
- Bring 3 weapons. The rule is to have two functioning weapons on the strip when you start a bout. If you only bring two and one breaks you may be disqualified as you would then only have one functioning weapon. Note: Not all judges will disqualify you for this. More likely at a local or regional event the judge will be lenient. Especially if your team armorer is present and able to repair the broken one before your next bout.
- Bring 3 body cords (& mask cords for foil/saber). Why? Same as above. Also cords are cheap and break fairly easily. Better to have an extra and not need. You may also be a hero to one of your teammates if they have a breakage and you have a spare they can borrow.
- ALWAYS have your armorer test your equipment before EVERY tournament. At least a week before is ideal so there is time for repair or for you to order a replacement and it arrive in time.
- Use the same grip and blade for all of your competition weapons. Grabbing a backup weapon from your bag and having a different grip or stiffer/looser blade etc. can really throw off your point control and movement. Once you start competing a lot get three of the same FIE blades that you like and three of your favorite grip. Ask to try out your teammates blades and grips so you have a good idea of what options there are and what fits you the best
- Inspect velcro and snaps. If your velcro on a jacket or knickers is too worn it may not pass inspection. Same goes for snaps/connectors. Much much cheaper to have a tailor (or skilled person) replace a velcro patch for a few dollars instead of buying a whole new $200+ jacket. Note: local tournaments are not likely to check your jacket and knickers but Nationals will.
- Have Fun! Be ready to loose. Have the mindset to win but you never know who you might be fencing against. The point of a tournament is to fence all kinds of different people with all kinds of different skills and techniques. That's the most fun part. Win or loose try your best and enjoy the fight. Remember, you learn more from a defeat than from a win.
Q: How do I signup for a tournament?
A: Go to AskFred.net (filter by location such as zip 80550 distance 100mi)
Browse through the list and select a tournament to attend
Look for tournaments that say "Unrated" or "C & Under", "D & Under", "E & Under"
Review the details then click Register
(if you do not already have an AskFred account create one. You will need your USA Fencing Competition Membership #)
Quick link for search set to 100 miles from 80550 and Senior age category
For fencers 14 & up you are eligible for tournaments with an Age Category of Senior
Details on Age Categories per USA Fencing rules and regulations
Your coach is always happy to help you find tournaments and answer any questions you may have
Q: How do I know which tournaments to signup for?
A:
Q: What if I don't have two body cords or weapons etc.?
A: When you arrive to the tournament and check-in your USA Fencing membership is checked, you then pay the registration and event fee(s), and then your equipment is tested by the tournament staff Armorer(s). If you do not have the proper equipment or your equipment fails to pass then you will not be allowed to compete .
Usually there is no refund. Sometimes another person will lend you a piece of equipment if they have extra or the tournament facility may (rarely) have gear to purchase there (at a large markup).
Talk to your coach and armorer, they most likely have extra cords/equipment you can borrow
Q: What if I don't have a Competitive membership?
A: You will not be allowed to compete. You could signup online right before you walk in but that's risky. Poor phone reception and tech issues happen. A membership is for a year better to get it sooner than later.
Q: What if my blade bends badly during a fight
A: Ask the ref for "permission to step OFF the strip" so you may unbend it. NEVER use the piste to fix your weapon and never drag your tip along the piste. This is a YELLOW CARD offence. Once off the strip take a breath and carefully bend it back using the ground or your shoe (if very careful). Your adrenaline will be pumping making fine motor control to unbend by hand very tough and may result in a snapped blade.
We love talking about tournaments and want everyone to feel comfortable and have a great time competing. Please feel free to chat with a coach or Armorer Trevor if you have any questions about tournaments, travel arrangements, gear, etc.
A: Go to AskFred.net (filter by location such as zip 80550 distance 100mi)
Browse through the list and select a tournament to attend
Look for tournaments that say "Unrated" or "C & Under", "D & Under", "E & Under"
Review the details then click Register
(if you do not already have an AskFred account create one. You will need your USA Fencing Competition Membership #)
Quick link for search set to 100 miles from 80550 and Senior age category
For fencers 14 & up you are eligible for tournaments with an Age Category of Senior
Details on Age Categories per USA Fencing rules and regulations
Your coach is always happy to help you find tournaments and answer any questions you may have
- National and Regional events you will signup for on USAfencing.org
Q: How do I know which tournaments to signup for?
A:
- If you have not competed in sanctioned tournaments and been awarded a rating then your rating is U (Unrated). This is reflected on your USA Fencing membership card.
- In general you will be looking for tournaments classified as "Unrated", "C Rated or Below", DIV 2, DIV 3.
- Review this chart provided by USA Fencing for age requirements.
- When singing up via USAfencing you will only be allowed to signup for events you qualify for. You will not have the option to register for any others. You also pay for the event during registration.
- When singing up via AskFred be sure to read the event information for details. If a rating is stated as required such as C and under then if you have a U, E, D, or C you can compete. If it states Unrated such as "Unrated Men's/Women's Walk N' Roll" then only those WITHOUT a rating may compete (so if you have a U these are perfect for your first tournaments).
- You obtain a rating for each weapon so an E in Foil does not qualify you for Epee.
- USA Fencing Age & Classification Chart
Q: What if I don't have two body cords or weapons etc.?
A: When you arrive to the tournament and check-in your USA Fencing membership is checked, you then pay the registration and event fee(s), and then your equipment is tested by the tournament staff Armorer(s). If you do not have the proper equipment or your equipment fails to pass then you will not be allowed to compete .
Usually there is no refund. Sometimes another person will lend you a piece of equipment if they have extra or the tournament facility may (rarely) have gear to purchase there (at a large markup).
Talk to your coach and armorer, they most likely have extra cords/equipment you can borrow
Q: What if I don't have a Competitive membership?
A: You will not be allowed to compete. You could signup online right before you walk in but that's risky. Poor phone reception and tech issues happen. A membership is for a year better to get it sooner than later.
Q: What if my blade bends badly during a fight
A: Ask the ref for "permission to step OFF the strip" so you may unbend it. NEVER use the piste to fix your weapon and never drag your tip along the piste. This is a YELLOW CARD offence. Once off the strip take a breath and carefully bend it back using the ground or your shoe (if very careful). Your adrenaline will be pumping making fine motor control to unbend by hand very tough and may result in a snapped blade.
We love talking about tournaments and want everyone to feel comfortable and have a great time competing. Please feel free to chat with a coach or Armorer Trevor if you have any questions about tournaments, travel arrangements, gear, etc.
ASKFRED
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FRED stands for "Fencing Results and Events Database"
FRED, founded in 2002, is a self-serve platform for fencing tournament organizers and fencers to coordinate participation in fencing tournaments. In the 2022-2023 fencing season, FRED was redeveloped from the ground up to ensure its continued stability into the future. |