Tournament Guide

Here's some information you'll need when you begin to compete at fencing. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them for you!

USFA Membership

  • AFC's tournaments are all USFA-sanctioned. To compete in a local (such as events at AFC) and/or divisional qualifiers you must be at least an access member of USA Fencing. To compete in all USA Fencing sanctioned events (such as RYC, RJCC, ROCs, and National Events), you must have a competitive membership of the USFA. You can join or upgrade online here. The membership year runs from August 1 through July 31 of the following year.

  • When registering: Your club is Austin Fencers Club, and our division is South Texas.

  • The USFA no longer mails hard-copy cards, unless you opt to pay an additional fee for them. You can print a paper card from the membership area of the USA Fencing website.


    Events and Age Brackets
    Your “fencing age” is determined by your age on January 1 of the current year, so age brackets correspond to the year you were born. Youth fencers should bring a copy of proof of age (passport, birth certificate, etc) to the tournament for age verification.

    For the 2023-2024 season age brackets are as follows:

    Event Birth year range

    Y10: 2013-2016

    Y12: 2011-2014

    Y14: 2009-2012

    Cadet: 2007-2010

    Junior: 2004-2010

    Open: 2010 or earlier

    Tournament Format
    The format for a tournament is:

  • One round of pools – pool size will depend on how many fencers there are in the event, but is usually 5, 6, or 7 fencers. Each fencer fences everyone else in the pool.

  • After pools, fencers are seeded into a direct-elimination ladder based on their pool results. The direct-elimination bouts are 15-touch for Open, Cadet, Y14, and Y12, and 10-touch for Y10


Equipment for competition

  • AFC can lend AFC fencers who are new to competing everything you need except mask and mask cords, and chest protectors for female fencers. You must purchase your own mask and cords. Regular competitors should own all their own equipment. Refer to the Equipment Guide on AFC's website for info on how to choose a mask, and some online vendors you can use. Be sure to buy a mask with an electric/conductive bib!

  • Chest protectors (required for female foil fencers): a new regulation was introduced in the summer of 2018 that all chest protectors must have a soft fabric/foam/EVA covering. None of AFC's current chest protectors meets this new requirement so unfortunately we are currently unable to lend our female fencers this required safety item. When purchasing a chest protector, be sure it meets the 2018 rule regarding soft covering. AFC can help you with your selection.

  • Clothing: at competitions you must wear fencing knickers (no sweatpants), and tall socks that cover the leg completely, up to/overlapping with the fencing knicker. You also need an underarm protector worn under your fencing jacket. AFC has knickers and underarm protector to lend to new competitors. Don't forget to bring your tall socks!

  • If you will be borrowing club gear, check in with Coach Eric to collect your gear on your last practice night before the tournament. Tournament days are very busy, and Coach Eric will have a lot to do, between organization and coaching; so it is not ideal to wait until the tournament day ask Coach Eric for help with your gear.


Registering for a tournament
Registration (including payment) for nearly all US fencing tournaments, other than USFA-sponsored National and Regional events, is done online at www.AskFred.net

To register for a tournament on AskFred, you will need to create a profile. Remember that your club is Austin Fencers Club and your division is South Texas. If you have any questions as you create your AskFred profile, AFC can help.

AFC allows you to register & pay on AskFred ahead of time, and also at the door. Because tournament organizers need an accurate picture of how many fencers will be competing in order to hire referees, the cost for registering and prepaying online in advance is usually discounted from the cost of paying at the door. We encourage you to register/pay in advance. Note that preregistering but NOT PAYING on AskFred is considered an incomplete registration, and will not qualify you for the discounted rate.

The night before the tournament

  • Pack up your equipment

  • Make sure you have a copy of your USFA membership card and proof of age with your gear

  • If you haven't already, download and fill out the waiver form for the tournament. This is normally an attachment on the AskFred.net tournament listing. AFC always uses this waiver for our own tournaments, so you can download it here & now if you'd like.

  • Pack some light snacks and a water bottle and/or sports drink.

  • Get a good night's sleep!


The day of the tournament

  • Arrive at least an hour before the “close of registration” time listed for your event. This will give you ample time for equipment-check, warm-up, etc.

  • When you arrive, check in at the registration desk. You will need to show your USFA card, turn in your waiver, and you may need to provide proof of age. If you didn't already pay online, you will also pay for your event at checkin.

  • Take your equipment to the armorer to be checked. Foilists need to get these items checked: mask, mask cords, body cords, lame, and glove.

  • Only after you have done equipment-check – find a clubmate or other fencer to warm up with.


Advice for parents

  • Many young fencers – even older fencers! - are nervous before tournaments. This is normal, and not anything you need to discourage. You can help by making sure you arrive with plenty of time for gear check and warmup. Having to rush is stressful!

  • There will be long periods of waiting at a tournament – for your fencer's event to start, between pools and direct eliminations, etc. Plan to bring a book, computer, etc, to help you pass the time.

  • Once your fencer has lost a direct-elimination bout, you are done for the event. You can leave when your fencer is eliminated, but it's good to stay through the final if you can. Your fencer's clubmates who are still fencing will appreciate the support of their teammates, and it can be instructive for your fencer to watch the more experienced fencers through the final. Most tournaments award medals for the top 4 or top 8 fencers, so don't leave before the medal ceremony if your fencer finished well!

  • Encourage a positive outlook and good sportsmanship for your fencer. Your fencer will certainly face opponents who have been fencing longer and are at a higher skill level. Your first several tournaments should be all about gaining experience with the tournament format, so don't focus too much on winning or losing. It's fine to praise your fencer for a good bout, but don't spend a lot of time rehashing bouts or actions, talking about should-haves or could-haves. If you're not sure what to say to your fencer, just tell him or her that you enjoyed watching him/her fence!

  • Fencers and parents should always treat referees politely and respectfully. Referees will sometimes make mistakes; it's part of the sport, and every fencer should expect a few call to go “wrong” during the course of a tournament. You may see coaches, fencers, or parents trying to browbeat or influence the referees with loud comments and overbearing behavior. This is poor sportsmanship. If you genuinely believe that a referee is doing a consistently poor job, talk to Coach Eric and let him handle it..

  • AFC has a great community of fencing parents; if you're lost or confused about what you or your fencer should be doing or where you should be, please ask the other parents around you! The more experienced fencing parents will be happy to give you help and advice as you and your fencer navigate your first tournaments.