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.
- CADET means 15, 16, or 17 on January 1 of the currant season.
- JUNIOR means 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 1of the currant year.
- 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 events. 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 five 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.
-
National Meets - They are at various skill levels (1a, 2, and 3) age grouped (10, 12, 14, cadet, junior). There are also Division One meets for only top
national ranked fencers. The high light of national meets are (1) the
Junior Olympic Championships for up to 17 and 20 year old fencers, and
(2) the National Championships covering all age groups, skill abilities
and paraplegic fencing. A fencer should compete regularly in local and
regional meets before fencing in national meets.
- 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.
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