Kinds of 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 youth age levels are Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet or Y17, and finally Juniors or Y20. The next two age levels are Seniors (older then 20) and Veterans (40+ years old).
- 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
Types of Competitions
- OPEN means a competition open to anyone wanting to enter who is 13 years old or older. This basically means adults and teens on January 1 of the currant year.
- SENIOR competition refers to anyone older then 19 but anyone older then 13 usually may enter.
- 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. Men and women compete together in one competition. An example is "MXF". Males and females compete together in a foil competition.
- VETERAN is used to signify Senior Age Grouping starting at 40 but is for 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old fencers.
- YOUTH, Y14 means under 15 on January 1 of the currant season. The youth age levels are Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet or Y17, and finally Juniors or Y20. The next two age levels are Seniors (older then 20) and Veterans (40+ years old).
- 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
Types of Competitions
- OPEN means a competition open to anyone wanting to enter who is 13 years old or older. This basically means adults and teens on January 1 of the currant year.
- SENIOR competition refers to anyone older then 19 but anyone older then 13 usually may enter.
- 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. Men and women compete together in one competition. An example is "MXF". Males and females compete together in a foil competition.
- VETERAN is used to signify Senior Age Grouping starting at 40 but is for 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old fencers.
Other Ways To Classify A Competition
- 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 some electric equipment. 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 for individuals and teams. In Minnesota 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 per competition.
- USFA competitions - Full competition equipment with a minimum of two weapons and two body cords are required. Names must be promenently placed in specific places. Equipment is always tested. Membership in the United States Fencing Association is required.
- National Meets - They are at various skill levels (Div 1, Div 1a, Div 2, and Div 3) age grouped (Y10, Y12, Y14, cadet, junior). Division 1 meetsare only for top national ranked fencers. The high light of national meets are (1) the Junior Olympic Championships( National Championships) for Cadets or Y17 and Juniors or Y20 year old fencers, and (2) the National Championships covering the age groups not in the national championships. In addition there is a paraplegic fencing event at the National Championships.
- FIE or INTERNATIONAL meets - These meets require special 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.
- MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL - These competitions require some electric equipment. 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 for individuals and teams. In Minnesota 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 per competition.
- USFA competitions - Full competition equipment with a minimum of two weapons and two body cords are required. Names must be promenently placed in specific places. Equipment is always tested. Membership in the United States Fencing Association is required.
- National Meets - They are at various skill levels (Div 1, Div 1a, Div 2, and Div 3) age grouped (Y10, Y12, Y14, cadet, junior). Division 1 meetsare only for top national ranked fencers. The high light of national meets are (1) the Junior Olympic Championships( National Championships) for Cadets or Y17 and Juniors or Y20 year old fencers, and (2) the National Championships covering the age groups not in the national championships. In addition there is a paraplegic fencing event at the National Championships.
- FIE or INTERNATIONAL meets - These meets require special 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.
Links to Other Competition Pages
Ready to Compete?
Arriving at a Meet
Eating at Competitions
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