USA Fencing

Update, Sept. 1: The information about strip coaching on this page is no longer current.

• Read this update from Sept. 1, 2023, and this update from Dec. 20, 2023.
• On Dec. 20, 2023, the USA Fencing Board reaffirmed the “American exception” for rule t.109, meaning coaches are allowed to give advice during competitions.

• The rule will continue to read: “In USA Fencing competitions, coaches and spectators are allowed to give advice to fencers…in all situations, coaches and spectators must not disturb the order of the bout.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — An updated policy regarding athletes from Russia and Belarus participating at USA Fencing tournaments, a rule change about strip coaching to bring USA Fencing in line with other countries, and the creation of two new resource teams (with applications now open) were among the highlights from the April 16 meeting of the USA Fencing Board of Directors.

As always, USA Fencing’s commitment to transparency is the driving force behind articles like this one designed to recap Board meetings in an easily digestible but comprehensive way.

"We're not Area 51," says USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews. "Our primary role at USA Fencing is to serve our members, and so we'll always give our members a clear view into what we’re doing at the organization day to day." 

One of the meeting’s most significant moments came when the Board amended the policy on Russian and Belorussian participation in USA Fencing competitions, now allowing them to participate if they meet certain criteria, including No. 1 and either No. 2 or No. 3 below:

1. They display no physical manifestation of Russian or Belorussian affiliation within the venue, including but not limited to uniforms, warm-ups, equipment bags, or accessories.

2. For the previous three years, they have not held an FIE license indicating Russian or Belorussian sport nationality, unless they have officially been approved for a change of sport nationality from the FIE.

3. For the previous one year they have not competed in USA Fencing competitions or functions and have renounced their support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine by executing a declaration to that effect.

The rationale behind this decision is to include at USA Fencing events those individuals who may be Russian or Belorussian and reside in the United States and contribute in positive ways to the USA Fencing community. As long as they have denounced the actions of Russia and Belarus, these individuals will be permitted to return.

In another decision, the board voted to remove a USA Fencing-specific exception to FIE Rule t.109, regarding strip coaching. At FIE tournaments, and at tournaments operated by most other national fencing federations, strip coaching — the act of a coach verbalizing instructions during a bout — is not permitted. 

The USA Fencing Rulebook has made an exception to this rule to allow this kind of strip coaching, but, beginning Aug. 1, 2023, USA Fencing will remove this exception. The change is designed to mitigate the bullying behavior of coaches, parents and spectators against referees, while also restoring civility to fencing. It will also ensure that U.S. athletes are better prepared for the rules they’ll encounter at the international level.

The Board asked the Referees’ Commission to meet to discuss next steps regarding this change, and we’ll announce more details to members before the change becomes official on Aug. 1. 

In response to the need for a formal voice for the coaching community, the board created a Coaching Advisory Resource Team. This team will consist of six members, four appointed by the Board of Directors and two appointed by the USA Fencing Athlete Council, with varying backgrounds in the coaching community.

Similarly, driven by the desire to use objective data to help USA Fencing’s business and sporting decision-making, the Board created a Data Resource Team. This team will consist of six members, four appointed by the Board of Directors and two appointed by the USA Fencing Athlete Council.

To apply for either resource team, fill out the form below.

The board also addressed several other matters, including bylaw amendments, the appointment of Alice Dungey to a vacant position on the Election Committee and the appointment of a deputy Treasurer, Emily Bian.

With these decisions, the USA Fencing Board of Directors continues its work toward serving and supporting members in the rapidly changing world of fencing. The next scheduled Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 4.

Motions 1 and 7: These two motions, which covered the selection of Contributors for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, were withdrawn to allow the Board, USA Fencing staff, and the Hall of Fame Committee to review further. 

Motion 2: The board decided to amend the policy on Russian and Belorussian participation in USA Fencing competitions, allowing them to participate under certain conditions, including denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and not displaying any affiliation with their home countries.

Motion 3: The board approved the removal of an exception in the USA Fencing Rules of Competition, aligning it with FIE rules and most national federations, addressing strip coaching rules and behavior during competitions. The change takes effect Aug. 1, 2023.

Motion 4: The board empowered the Nominating Committee to select a member to lead the process of recruitment and development of Board Members, ensuring proactive collaboration between the Board Chair, CEO, and Nominating Committee Chair.

Motion 5: The board approved the creation of a Coaching Advisory Resource Team to provide the coaching community with a formal voice within the organization, working in concert with the National Office and, where appropriate, the Board of Directors.

Motion 6: The board adopted the proposed Bylaw amendments that were approved for publication at the Board of Directors meeting conducted Feb. 16, 2023, and published for comment thereafter.

Motion 8: The board appointed Emily Bian as the deputy Treasurer of USA Fencing, ensuring a smooth succession plan for the Treasurer role.

Motion 9: The board appointed Alice Dungey to the vacant position on the USA Fencing Elections Committee.

Motion 10: The board created a Data Resource Team to support both sporting and business decisions using data science and analysis, composed of members from the USA Fencing community and athlete members appointed by the USA Fencing Athlete Council.