Kinds of Fencing Competitions

National Groupings For Competitions (USFencing)

How old are you?  Think of a  school year instead of a calendar year. Then think how old you are on January 1 of that competitive season. That age on that one day is your age for the entire season.
- YOUTH, Y14 means under 15 on January 1 of the currant season. The other two youth age levels are Y12 and Y10. Sometimes an older format is used. It looks like this, U15, and means under 15 years. It is the same as Y14.
- CADET or youth 16 meaning 15 or 16 on January 1 of the currant season.
- JUNIOR or youth 19 meaning 17, 18 or 19 on January 1 of the currant season
- OPEN means open to anyone wanting to enter who is 13 years old or older. This basically means adults and teens on January 1.
- SENIOR refers to anyone older then 19 .
- MEN'S or WOMEN'S means a competition separated by gender. For example, "WF" is for women foilists. The sport of fencing does not use the words "boys" or "girls" often, (why?, ???????) so MFY14 means boys foil for 13 or 14 year olds but reads Men's Foil for Youths 13 or 14.
- MIXED OPEN is another way of stating no separation by gender. An example is "MxF". Males and females compete together as one group.
- VETERAN is used to signify Senior Age Grouping starting at 40.
 
 

Competitions By Type

- IN HOUSE at MSC - This is an informally arranged meet for club members. There are no equipment regulations and few rules other then dress for normal bouting.
- MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL - These competitions require electric equipment which is not often tested. A great deal  equipment sharing is allowed. Minnesota High School League team dual meets are set up and ran by the coaches. Some high school meets for individual results are organized in addition to team meets. Each year a state high school championship is held with individual and team awards. The age level is seventh through twelfth grade.
- CHICAGO and WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL - Full competition equipment is required. The age level is ninth through twelfth grades. No Junior High School fencers are allowed as in Minnesota. The meets attract three to four hundred fencers.
- USFA - Full competition equipment with a minimum of two weapons and two body cords are required. Equipment is always tested. For national meets fencers must have their names on the rear leg of the knickers or on the back of the lame' (jacket in epee). Membership in the United States Fencing Association is required.
- FIE or INTERNATIONAL meets - These meets require full electric equipment with Kevlar type material in the jacket, knickers, underarm protector and mask's bib. Maraging blades are also required. Not all fencers are allowed to compete in international meets. The national organization must authorize a fencer to compete. Arrangements must be made through the USFA National Office to compete.