European Fencing Division
Divisions:
Men & Women (Boys & Girls) will compete in the same divisions, the only separations will be based on age and rank.
We will hosting Epee divisions only this year.
Governing Rules:
We will be using USA Fencing Rules for this division. We may modify a few rules for our tournament, so please see below. For complete details please refer to USA Fencing Rules. Rules written here will supersede any USA Fencing Rules.
Judging:
All Fencing divisions will have at least one center ref and as many qualified corner refs as are available.
Match time:
Matches will be 3 minutes in time. Time will run continuously during the match unless specific instructions to stop the time are given by the center referee.
Declaring a Winner:
A winner will be determined by one of the following criteria:
Ties:
If at the end of the division, the match will continue for one (1) minute of overtime. First competitor to score wins. If at the end of the one minute over time, the score is still tied, winner will be determined by the judges’ decision.
Equipment:
The following equipment is required for competition in Sparring Divisions. If you are not sure if you equipment is acceptable for competition, please have it inspected by your center judge prior to beginning competition. Any equipment does not meet the following guidelines will need to be changed prior to competition. (DMA of Sioux Falls will have a few sets of loaner gear available for any participant that does not have the correct equipment.)
Mandatory Equipment:
All equipment must be provided by the competitor. DMA does not have any equipment to loan for European Fencing.
Scoring:
All scoring techniques will be awarded one (1) point. The person with the most points at the end of the match, or the first person to score two points will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the competitors will compete in sudden death OT for one additional minute. In the case of a second tie, judges will declare a winner.
Target Areas:
Fouls / Illegal Techniques
Out of Bounds
Warnings:
Warnings are divided into three categories
Illegal Technique Warnings:
A warning will be awarded for any intentional strikes to the illegal areas, strikes with excessive contact, or use of an illegal technique
Out of Ring Warnings:
Out of Ring Warnings will be issued to any competitor who steps out of the ring with one foot. Competitors who are out of the ring cannot score, but can be scored upon as long as one foot is still in the ring.
If a competitor is actively pushing opponent out of the ring the out of ring warning will be issued to the competitor that pushes the other competitor out of the ring.
Poor sportsman Conduct Warnings:
Because the purpose of competition is to engage in healthy competition with others to improve and test one’s self, it is in the interest of all that both competitors and spectators conduct themselves within the proper spirit of the arts. With that in mind, a competitor may be penalized for poor conduct from themselves, their coaches/instructors, or their fans.
At the Judges’ discretion a competitor may be disqualified from competition at any time.
Divisions:
Men & Women (Boys & Girls) will compete in the same divisions, the only separations will be based on age and rank.
We will hosting Epee divisions only this year.
Governing Rules:
We will be using USA Fencing Rules for this division. We may modify a few rules for our tournament, so please see below. For complete details please refer to USA Fencing Rules. Rules written here will supersede any USA Fencing Rules.
Judging:
All Fencing divisions will have at least one center ref and as many qualified corner refs as are available.
Match time:
Matches will be 3 minutes in time. Time will run continuously during the match unless specific instructions to stop the time are given by the center referee.
Declaring a Winner:
A winner will be determined by one of the following criteria:
- First competitor to score five points
- Competitor with the most points at the end of time
- Opponent bows out of the match
Ties:
If at the end of the division, the match will continue for one (1) minute of overtime. First competitor to score wins. If at the end of the one minute over time, the score is still tied, winner will be determined by the judges’ decision.
Equipment:
The following equipment is required for competition in Sparring Divisions. If you are not sure if you equipment is acceptable for competition, please have it inspected by your center judge prior to beginning competition. Any equipment does not meet the following guidelines will need to be changed prior to competition. (DMA of Sioux Falls will have a few sets of loaner gear available for any participant that does not have the correct equipment.)
Mandatory Equipment:
All equipment must be provided by the competitor. DMA does not have any equipment to loan for European Fencing.
- Fencing Mask
- Gloves
- Chest Protector
- Epee
Scoring:
All scoring techniques will be awarded one (1) point. The person with the most points at the end of the match, or the first person to score two points will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the competitors will compete in sudden death OT for one additional minute. In the case of a second tie, judges will declare a winner.
Target Areas:
- The entire fencer's body is a legal target for epee
Fouls / Illegal Techniques
- Intentionally sweeping an opponent off his feet.
- Pushing an opponent with the tip of the shinai.
- It is illegal to hold your opponent. Contact to the body should only be made with the assistance of the shinai.
- Grabbing an opponent’s weapon.
- Pushing the blade against the conductive strip.
- Wasting time / stalling
- Using unnecessary force on your opponent.
Out of Bounds
- A player is considered to be out of bounds when placing one foot completely outside the ring.
- A competitor is declared to be out of bounds when bracing the body or part of the shinai outside the court line
- Falling on to the floor with one body part crossing the court line
- It is illegal to push the player out of bounds. In this case the player that results to be out of bounds is free of judgement.
Warnings:
Warnings are divided into three categories
Illegal Technique Warnings:
A warning will be awarded for any intentional strikes to the illegal areas, strikes with excessive contact, or use of an illegal technique
- First warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Second warning – One (1) point awarded to other competitor
- Third warning – Competitor will be disqualified
Out of Ring Warnings:
Out of Ring Warnings will be issued to any competitor who steps out of the ring with one foot. Competitors who are out of the ring cannot score, but can be scored upon as long as one foot is still in the ring.
- First Warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Second Warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Third Warning – The other competitor will be awarded 1 point
If a competitor is actively pushing opponent out of the ring the out of ring warning will be issued to the competitor that pushes the other competitor out of the ring.
Poor sportsman Conduct Warnings:
Because the purpose of competition is to engage in healthy competition with others to improve and test one’s self, it is in the interest of all that both competitors and spectators conduct themselves within the proper spirit of the arts. With that in mind, a competitor may be penalized for poor conduct from themselves, their coaches/instructors, or their fans.
- First warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Second warning – One (1) point awarded to other competitor
- Third warning – Competitor will be disqualified
At the Judges’ discretion a competitor may be disqualified from competition at any time.