FENCING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Home of Sport Fencing in South Australia

Equipment

Please note that by its very nature fencing is a contact sport, and no protective equipment is infallible. The better quality fencing equipment, which meets FIE standards, cannot completely remove the chance of fencers sustaining serious injuries however it can greatly reduce the risk and all competitors are encouraged to use such equipment even when the listed minimum requirements are lower.

Additionally the use of blades which have not been approved by the FIE is strongly discouraged. Blades which have been approved by the FIE have been shown to be much safer than others. For the safety of other competitors and yourself you are strongly encouraged to use only blades which meet FIE approval.

Please refer to the quick reference chart and comprehensive categorised listings below.

FSA Equipment Requirement Chart 2022-01-31.pdf

2022-01-31

U9 

U11

U13

Schools U15

U17 & U20

Open-B

Open-A

Veteran

Mask 350N↑ 350N↑

350N↑

(1600N Recommended)

350N↑

(1600N Recommended)

350N↑

(1600N Recommended)

350N↑
1600N Recommended)
350N↑
1600N Recommended)
1600N (FIE) 350N↑
1600N Recommended)
Jacket 350N↑ 350N↑ 350N↑ 350N↑
350N↑ 350N↑

350N↑

800N (FIE)

350N↑
Plastron 350N↑ 350N↑ 350N↑
350N↑ 350N↑  800N (FIE) 350N↑ 800N (FIE) 800N (FIE)

Breeches

Not Required

Refer Directive

Not Required

Refer Directive

Not Required

Refer Directive

Not Required

Refer Directive

350N↑ 350N↑

350N↑

800N (FIE)

350N↑

Protector (Men)

Compulsory

(Epee)

Compulsory

(Epee)

Compulsory

(Epee)

Compulsory

(Epee) 

 Optional

Optional

Optional

Optional

Optional

Protector (Women)

Compulsory

Compulsory

Compulsory

 Compulsory  Compulsory

Compulsory

Compulsory

Compulsory

Compulsory

Lame Bib (Foil)

 No

No

No

 No  Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Sword Grade

Recommended

FIE 

Recommended

FIE

Recommended

FIE

 Recommended

FIE

 Recommended

FIE

FIE

FIE

FIE

FIE

Sword (Size)

 0-3

0-3 Epee

0-5 Foil

0-5

0-5 5

5

5

5

5

Sanctions (Equipment)

 No

No

No

No No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Note: These are FencingSA's minimum equipment standards for State Competitions.

Equipment is expected to be in good repair; FencingSA reserves the right to remove fencers from competition if gear is deemed to be unsafe or unfit for purpose.

National competition equipment standards may differ (see this page for clarification).

As always - communicate with your coach or club armourer for advice.

categorised Equipment Listings

Open-A Grade Competition

All fencers in Open-A events are required to wear the following equipment:

  • 1600N FIE certified Mask (General m.25.7, Foil m.27.1, Epée m.30.1, Sabre m.32.1)
  • 800N FIE certified Jacket
  • 800N FIE certified Plastron
  • 800N FIE certified Breeches
  • Knee length socks
  • Fencing Glove (Sabre - Conductive Glove or Cuff required)
  • Breast Plate (Females)
  • Lamé (Foil & Sabre)
  • Head Lead (Foil & Sabre )

The following notes apply in Open Competitions:

  • All equipment and uniforms must be of FIE approved standard and possess the FIE label (S2000 for sabre weapons) and must adhere to the latest FIE Material Rulings.
  • Amnesty periods will be applied at FencingSA's discretion for newly changed equipment rulings, please contact secretary@fencingsa.org.au for clarification.
  • All foils and epées will be subjected to weight and gauge tests, any weapon which fails will incur a yellow card.

Open-B Grade Competition

All fencers in intermediate events are required to wear as a minimum the following equipment:

    • 350N Fencing Mask
      • NOTE: 1600N (FIE) masks are recommended
      • Foil - Lamé bib required
    • 350N Jacket
    • 350N Plastron
    • 350N Breeches
    • Knee length socks
    • Fencing Glove (Sabre - Conductive Glove or Cuff required)
    • Breast Plate (Females)
    • Lamé (Foil & Sabre)
    • Head lead (Foil & Sabre)

    The following notes apply in Open-B Competitions:

    • All masks and weapons must be of FIE approved standard and possess the FIE label (S2000 for sabre weapons) and must adhere to the latest FIE Material Rulings.
    • Amnesty periods will be applied at FencingSA's discretion for newly changed equipment rulings, please contact secretary@fencingsa.org.au for clarification.
    • All foils and epées will be subjected to weight and gauge tests, no fencer may fence with a weapon which fails, however no penalty card will be given for weapons which fail.

    Veteran Competition

    All fencers in Veteran events are required to wear as a minimum the following equipment:

      • 350N Fencing Mask
        • NOTE: 1600N (FIE) masks are recommended
        • Foil - Lamé bib required
      • 350N Jacket
      • 800N (FIE) Plastron
      • 350N Breeches
      • Knee length socks
      • Fencing Glove (Sabre - Conductive Glove or Cuff required)
      • Breast Plate (Females)
      • Lamé (Foil & Sabre)
      • Head lead (Foil & Sabre)

      The following notes apply in Veteran Competitions:

      • All masks, plastrons and weapons must be of FIE approved standard and possess the FIE label (S2000 for sabre weapons) and must adhere to the latest FIE Material Rulings.
      • Amnesty periods will be applied at FencingSA's discretion for newly changed equipment rulings, please contact secretary@fencingsa.org.au for clarification.
      • All foils and epées will be subjected to weight and gauge tests, any weapon which fails will incur a yellow card.

      U20 & U17 Competition

      All fencers in intermediate events are required to wear as a minimum the following equipment:

        • 350N Fencing Mask
          • NOTE: 1600N (FIE) masks are recommended
          • Foil - Lamé bib required
        • 350N Jacket
        • 800N (FIE) Plastron
        • 350N Breeches
        • Knee length socks
        • Fencing Glove (Sabre - Conductive Glove or Cuff required)
        • Breast Plate (Females)
        • Lamé (Foil & Sabre)
        • Head lead (Foil & Sabre)

        The following notes apply in Under 20 and Under 17 Competitions:

        • All masks, plastrons and weapons must be of FIE approved standard and possess the FIE label (S2000 for sabre weapons) and must adhere to the latest FIE Material Rulings.
        • Amnesty periods will be applied at FencingSA's discretion for newly changed equipment rulings, please contact secretary@fencingsa.org.au for clarification.
        • All foils and epées will be subjected to weight and gauge tests, any weapon which fails will incur a yellow card.

        U15 Competition

        All fencers in U15 events are required to wear as a minimum the following equipment:

        • 350N Fencing Mask
          • NOTE: 1600N (FIE) masks are recommended
          • Foil - Lamé bib required
        • 350N Jacket
        • 350N Plastron
        • 350N Breeches
        • Knee length socks
        • Fencing Glove (Sabre - Conductive Glove or Cuff required)
        • Breast Plate (Females)
        • Lame (Foil & Sabre)
        • Head lead (Foil & Sabre)

        The following notes apply in Under 15 Competitions:

        • The FIE mask fastening system (m.25.7.f) applies to non-FIE masks
        • FencingSA strongly recommends the use of FIE certified swords possessing the FIE or S2000 label
        • All foils and epées will be subjected to weight and gauge tests. Any weapon which fails will NOT incur a yellow card.

        U9, U11, U13 & Schools Competition

        All fencers in Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Schools competitions events are required to wear the following equipment as a minimum:

        • 350N Fencing Mask
          • 1600N (FIE) masks are recommended
          • Lamé bib not required
        • 350N Jacket
        • 350N Plastron
        • Breeches with long socks or full length tracksuit pants
          • Leggings are not deemed suitable protection
        • Fencing Glove
        • Breast Plate (all fencers)
        • Lamé (Foil & Sabre)

        The following notes apply to weapons in U9, U11, U13 & Schools League Competitions:

        • U9 All weapon sizes restricted 0-3
        • U11 Epée weapon sizes restricted 0-3, Foil fencers may use any weapon sizes 0-5
        • U13 Epée fencers may use any weapon sizes 0-5
        • All foils and epées will be subjected to weight and gauge tests, no fencer may fence with a weapon which fails, however no penalty card will be given for weapons which fail.
        • Leon Paul X-Change Masks which normally require an additional strap as per current FIE regulations are not enforced at this level of competition.
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