A Complete Guide

for Fencers and Parents

Complete 8 weeks of regular classes

Attend open fencing

Blades curriculum and testing◦ Pass 1st Blade Test: Body

Coach’s evaluation/permission to compete

Knowledge of rules and tournament etiquette

Compete in a WFA in-house tournament

Private lessons are available

Confidence in your abilities

Positive attitude

Goal setting

Realistic expectations

Winning with honor

Handling defeat

Have Fun!!

2+ working weapons

2+ body cords, mask cords (saber)

Complete uniform◦ Mask◦ Jacket – last name required for national/international◦ Lame – if fencing saber or foil◦ Knickers◦ Plastron (underarm protector)◦ Chest protector (women)◦ Glove◦ Long socks◦ Court (e.g., volleyball) or fencing shoes

Basic armory kit*Equipment should be your own, not club rental or borrowed

Where to buy◦ www.absolutefencinggear.com◦ www.thefencingpost.com◦ Some offer “starter kits,” club discounts – be sure to ask!◦ May be easiest to call when ordering 1st time◦ Vendors available at regional & national events

Type of uniform◦ FIE required only for

international

Show your club colors!◦ WFA warmups◦ WFA “Online Boutique”

Basic armory kit includes the following:

Small screwdriver (jeweler’s flathead)

Large screwdriver (flathead)

Contact springs

Pressure springs

Screws (Leon Paul)

Tips (2)

Wires (2)

Super Glue

Bag/small “tackle box” to hold everything

Keep equipment in good working order

Know how to inspect and test weapons◦ Be sure to check day before tournament!

Know basic repair or who can repair for you◦ Replace tip screws◦ Tighten/replace bell guard

If purchasing used equipment, must be inspected by club armorer or coach prior to use to ensure safety

Armory classes offered periodically◦ Contact rachel@washingtonfencing.com

Listen in class/ask coach

Read whiteboard(s) or other postings at club

“AskFred” – www.askfred.net

USA Fencing Web site◦ Nationals – USA Fencing Summer National

Championships

◦ ROC – Regional Open Circuit

◦ NAC – North American Cup

◦ JOs – Junior Olympics

USA Fencing Membership◦ Required for all tournaments, except in-house◦ 2013-14 season fee $70/yr◦ www.railstation.org/usfencing/MembershipRegistration.asp

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Preregistration◦ www.askfred.net◦ www.usfencing.org

Registration fees/deadlines◦ Variable◦ Some require pre-payment at time of registration◦ Fees can double or triple if past deadlines!!

Pre-qualification◦ Required for Junior Olympics, Nationals◦ Certain ratings required for events (e.g., Div I, Div 1a, Div II,

Div III as well as age requirements (youth, cadet, junior, vet)

Age Groups◦ Youth (10-12-14), Cadet (U17), Junior (U20), Senior (13+), Veteran (40-50-60-70+)

Gender◦ Women, Men, Mixed

Classifications◦ U, E, D, C, B, A

Divisions◦ Div III (D & under), Div II (C & under), Div Ia, Div I◦ National points affect seeding and ranking

Able-bodied and wheelchair

Individual and team competitions◦ Team competition requires assembling three- or four-person teams for events

Types◦ In-house, Local, Divisional, Regional, National, International

Be well-rested

Hyper-hydrate beforehand

Bring with you:◦ Complete uniform

◦ USA Fencing membership card

◦ Proof of registration (digital on smartphone is OK)

◦ Complete set of equipment

◦ Basic armory kit

◦ Water bottle, snack, sports drink

◦ Towel

◦ Notebook & pen/pencil

◦ Warm-up jacket or sweatshirt

◦ Extra T-shirt, change of clothes (for afterwards)

◦ Music for warm-up (optional)

Expectations◦ Tournament time posted =

“close of registration,” notstart time

◦ Arrive at least 1 hour before close of registration

◦ Be sure to check in

◦ Understand how information will be conveyed –bulletin boards vs. monitors vs. PA system

◦ Understand strip layout, numbering

◦ Tournaments will last several hours

◦ You will encounter all sorts of different styles

◦ Things will be faster, be ready!

Equipment Check/Armory◦ Mask (conductive bib, if foil)◦ Lame (saber, foil)◦ Chest protector (women)◦ Body cords, mask cords (saber)◦ Epee wiring (may be done on strip)

Warm up◦ Fence 2 pool (5-touch) bouts prior to pools

On strip◦ Weapons check - weight & shim test, epee wiring◦ Uniform check – required pieces present, in good repair

Make sure socks are pulled-up, hair is tucked, etc.

Bring to strip: weapons, cords, mask, water bottle, tool kit, notebook & pen/pencil

First tournament◦ In-house event, last Tuesday each month

Next steps◦ Local Youth events◦ Local Senior “U” or “E and Under” events◦ Local Veteran events

Moving up◦ RYC – Regional Youth Circuit◦ SYC – Super Youth Circuit◦ Local/Regional Senior Div III, Div II, or Open events◦ WWD qualifiers

Competing nationally◦ NAC – North American Cup◦ JOs – Junior Olympics◦ Summer National Championships

Pool round◦ All fencers included◦ Know strip assignment◦ Know your order number and number of fencers in your pool◦ Bout format: 5 touches or one 3-minute period◦ Keep score on personal pool sheet/notes◦ Pool sheet – confirm score/sign

Direct Elimination (DE) round◦ Some events have 80% cut after pools◦ Single-elimination (out after 1 loss)◦ Know strip assignment◦ Bout format varies:

Sr, Jr, Cadet, Y12/14:15 touches or three 3-min periods Vet:10 touches or two 3-min periods Y10: 10 touches with 1 min break after 5

◦ Bout sheet – confirm score/sign

Call to strip◦ May be by name or number◦ “On deck” and “in the hole”

Referee’s instructions to fencers at start of pools

Equipment and uniform check◦ Plastron, chest protector◦ Mask stamp, body cord inspection tags◦ Equipment in good repair (no holes in gloves, etc.)

Salute & handshake

Knowing how to stop the bout correctly and clearly if there’s a problem

Respecting rules

Club/team members support others when not fencing

Support and encourage BETWEEN touches/bouts, quiet while fencing

Let the coach do the coaching

Model good sportsmanship

Stay positive, help keep perspective

Learn basic equipment

repair

Provide water bottle, snacks

Fencing is a polite and

honorable sport for both

fencers AND spectators!

Policy to protect athletes & USA Fencing members, especially for youth

Defines areas of misconduct

Expands background checks/screening

Outlines “best practices”

Provides a pathway for reporting

All coaches, staff, company shareholders, and any others in regular contact with athletes (esp. minors) are required to have a “professional” membership

Membership can be competitive or non-competitive

All fencers—including at satellite programs—must have at least a basic ($5) membership in USA Fencing

WFA policies echo Safe Sport guidelines, standards, and “best practices.”

Registration fee

Event fee(s)

Strip coaching fee◦ Varies based on Local vs. Regional

vs. National

Personal travel expenses◦ Meals◦ Gas◦ Car rental◦ Airfare◦ Hotels

Coaches’ travel expenses (cost is shared among fencers attending event/receiving coaching)

USA Fencing official homepage www.usfencing.org Renew USA Fencing membership, register for NACs, Junior Olympics, or

Summer Nationals. Find information about rules, national tournaments (deadlines, qualifications, travel, etc), and national tournament results.

Western Washington Division website http://www.wwdfencing.org/ Includes the season calendar of events, rule and policy updates

USA Fencing SafeSport policy http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/892379-safe-sport On July 17, 2013, the USA Fencing Board of Directors adopted the USA

Fencing SafeSport policy, which outlines new requirements for all individuals who have frequent contact with minors. This includes coaches, referees, division officers, bout committee members, etc. Everyone is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the policy.

AskFRED – tournament registration and results http://askfred.net/

Fencing.net – forums, shopping, informaton www.fencing.net

USA Fencing Rules http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695208-rulebook

USA Fencing 101 http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695211-fencing%20101

USA Fencing Athlete Handbook http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695206-athlete%20handbook

Parents’ guide to fencing http://www.fencing.net/downloads/ParentsGuidetoFencing2007.pdf

Washington Fencing Academy Web site

http://www.washingtonfencing.com

Information, schedules, online boutique, links

Washington Fencing Academy Facebook page

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