Current Section
Athlete Handbook
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so that the individual has access to the latest version of the handbook as print copies could become outdated over time.
2023-24 Athlete Handbook Changelog
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.
- Old Text: In USA Fencing competitions, fencers from the same division and/or club or school are separated if possible based on FIE rules for separating fencers of the same nationality. If foreign fencers are in attendance, the separation for nationality shall take precedence over separation for division and/or club/school representation/affiliation.
- New Text: In USA Fencing competitions, fencers from the same division and/or club or school are separated if possible, based on FIE rules for separating fencers of the same nationality. The highest priority criteria for separation is club or school, followed by division, followed by nationality.
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
