The Athlete Handbook provides fencers, coaches, administrators, and parents the information pertinent to all aspects of USA Fencing programs. Periodic updates may occur during the season; these updates to the book will be communicated to the membership via postings to this page. Please email any AH questions, comments, concerns or corrections to information@usafencing.org.
You're free to print or reproduce any or all of the Athlete Handbook without separate permission from USA Fencing.
We only ask that you please include a link back to this page (https://www.usafencing.org/athlete-handbook) so that the individual has access to the latest version of the handbook as print copies could become outdated over time.
This section contains a list of changes to the 2023-24 Athlete Handbook made after its initial publication date.
Sept. 11, 2023: Added this language to the end of 2.1.3: “For the FIE Veteran World Championships, USA Fencing will review these results after the conclusion of the tournament and award earned or renewed classifications as appropriate.”
Sept. 11, 2023: Added this language to 2.14: “During registration, each team will be required to submit a name for the team. At the time of check-in, should the Bout Committee determine the team name is inappropriate and/or in violation of any USA Fencing rules, polices or codes of conduct, the Bout Committee retains the right to require that the team name be changed before check-in is completed.
Sept. 18, 2023: Added the updated Member Code of Conduct and Spectator Code of Conduct.
Sept. 18, 2023: Updated Parafencing guidelines in 12.2
Nov. 7, 2023: Replaced text in section 2.15.1.
Nov. 13, 2023: Updated 1.0 to clarify that “Individuals may only have one membership.”
Dec. 22, 2023: Minor updates to pages 103-104 for consistency with information on page 101.
Feb. 12, 2024: Added this text to page 103:
Only tournaments operated in conjunction with an interscholastic institution or association, such as a high school state athletic association or collegiate athletic conference, may set restrictions on fencers eligible to compete in the competition based on attendance of a specific academic institution. Rated competitions restricted to a single club/institution are not permitted. Restriction of participation based upon a fencer’s attendance of a specific USA Fencing member club(s) or non-member club(s) is not permitted