NSW Fencing
powered by TidyHQEquipment standards for tournaments
Equipment standards for tournaments
International fencing equipment standards are determined by the FIE Material Rules. NSW Fencing tournaments follow these rules, with a few exclusions for practicality.
Safety summary
For safety when competing, the following equipment standards are required. The standards shown here are the minimum requirements, fencers may use equipment of a higher standard.
- All fencers must wear correctly fitting jackets, breeches, and lamés: breeches should cover the knee when in the en garde position; lamés should completely cover the target area (ie not be too small) and have no dead spots.
- All fencers must use a glove suitable for the weapon being fenced. Gloves must be in good condition, with no holes and velcro that is effective. Sabreurs must use a sabre glove or conductive cuff.
- All fencers must wear the correct jackets and breeches for their handedness, eg right or left-handed jacket and breeches.
- All fencers must wear long socks which meet the leg of the breeches when in the en garde position.
- All equipment must be in good condition: no holes in jackets, breeches or gloves, velcro fastenings secure; no rust on masks; no holes or dead spots on lamés; no rust or jagged edges on blades, and a properly fixed guard without major dents.
|
Tournament |
Plastron | Mask | Jacket and breeches | Weapon | Chest protector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools | FIE 800N | 350N, double strap | 350N | Blade size 5 | Mandatory for girls. Mandatory for boys fencing epee up to age 13. |
| U11–U13 | FIE 800N | 350N, double strap | 350N | Blade size 0–5 | Mandatory for girls. Mandatory for boys fencing epee. |
| Youth (U15) | FIE 800N | FIE 1600N, double strap | 350N | Blade size 5 | Mandatory for women. |
| Cadet (U17) | FIE 800N | FIE 1600N, double strap | FIE 800N | Blade size 5 | Mandatory for women. |
| Junior (U20) and older | FIE 800N | FIE 1600N, double strap | FIE 800N | Blade size 5 | Mandatory for women. |
Please note, these requirements are for the tournament, ie if a fencer aged 12 is competing in an U15 tournament, the U15 TOURNAMENT equipment standards apply, regardless of the age of the fencer competing in that tournament.
Compliance
- Hair must be tied up so that it doesn’t touch the jacket.
- Shoes must have a non-slip sole.
- Foils must have compliant taping.
- All fencers must wear the correct mask for their weapon. Mask wire is required for all sabre and foil fencers.
- Bring a minimum of two working body wires and two weapons to every tournament – penalties apply for coming to the piste with faulty equipment. Equipment checks are not undertaken at NSW Fencing tournaments – fencers are responsible for checking their own equipment. Please consult your coach or an armourer if in doubt.
- Referees will check under-plastrons and double-strapped masks on the piste before the tournament begins.
Exclusions
FIE rules mandate soft coverings for chest guards, transparent plugs for body wires, and maraging blades, however, these are not required for NSW Fencing tournaments.
