Individual Competitions

In general, fencing competitions have a format of one round of pools, followed by a Direct Elimination.

Pools

Pools normally contain between 5 and 7 fencers, and everyone fences every other fencer in their pool. In pools, each bout is to 5 hits, with a maximum time limit of 3 minutes. It should be noted, however, that this time limit relates purely to fencing time. 'Non-fencing' time (eg after a hit is landed, when the referee awarding the point) is not included in the time limit. If time expires before either fencer has scored 5 hits, then the fencer with the highest score is the victor.

Direct Elimination

After the first round, fencers are ranked according to their results in the pools. A Direct Elimination (DE) table is drawn up, in which higher ranked fencers compete against those with lower rankings.

Direct Elimination bouts are to 15 hits, or a maximum fencing time of 9 minutes. As soon as a fencer loses a Direct Elimination bout, he/she is eliminated from the competition.

In some larger events, a number of fencers may be eliminated after the round of pools. However, in FencingSA and AFF competitions, all fencers proceed from the pools to the DE.

Depending on the number of fencers, the first round of the DE may be an 'incomplete tableau', in which the higher ranked fencers have byes.

Supplementary

In fields of six or fewer, the defeated fencers of the semi-finals will have a fence-off match for 3rd place. Ranking points and medals will be awarded as normal.

FencingSA reserves the right to change the format of competitions on the day as it sees fit to facilitate the best fencing experience for it's members.

Team Tournament

Team Tournaments are fenced between teams of three fencers. Each of the three fencers from one team shall fence each of the fencers from the other team. During each bout the fencers shall have to try to reach a target score, which shall increase by five points each bout. When either fencer reaches that score the bout will end, and two new fencers will fence, trying to reach a different, higher target score.

During the tournament each team shall fence every other team exactly once, in accordance to the draw, which will be published by the Tournament Management Committee prior to the start of the tournament.

After the round robin has been concluded, a final of two or four teams may take place depending on the number of teams entered and the amount of time available.

Team Eligibility

A team may have a maximum of four fencers.

Every team tournament shall have a maximum number of teams permitted to compete. The number shall be decided according to the amount of time available to run the tournament.

1. Every full or associate club will initially be offered the opportunity to enter one team.

2. If the number of teams entered by the clubs is less than the maximum number the association shall offer the remaining places among the states school clubs.

3. If the maximum number has still not been reached the remaining places shall be offered to the association at large on a first come first served basis. Any club which has already entered a team shall be permitted to enter a second team.

4. Combined or social teams are freely permitted.

Fencer Eligibility

Any fencer may fence for any team, on the condition they do not compete for more than one team during any given tournament.

Equipment 

Equipment rules for a team event are the same as for the same category individual event. 

School Competitions

Format

The School Competition format will vary from year to year, depending on the number of schools running fencing programs, and at the direction of the FSA Board. 

FSA aims to deliver an Individual and Team event for school fencers at least once per year.  

Team events will be fenced round robin whenever possible, but depending on number of entries and time constraints the events may be fenced knockout from the first round.

Fencer Eligibility

Refer to the Categories page for details. A fencer must be attending either a primary or a secondary school, and must be affiliated with FencingSA. 

Team Eligibility

A team may have a maximum of four fencers (3 plus one substitute), and must all be participating in the same school program (or, members of the same club if the event is opened to school-age fencers). 

Equipment Rules

Refer to Equipment for details.