Code of Conduct

  The Code of Conduct is designed to provide an environment that allows fencers the opportunity to reach their individual goals. This assumes an atmosphere of mutual respect during all practices, tournaments, demonstrations or any other Club activity. Proper respect should be shown to coaches, staff and chaperones.

  In general, fencing is safer than many other sports; however, there is still the real possibility of injury. To lessen its potential, all persons in the Club must take precautions. Fencers must be aware of their surroundings while bouting -- such as non-fencers or equipment that may be in their path. Non-fencers must take care to avoid interference with bouting fencers. The safety of guests of fencers is the responsibility of teh host fencer. Children are the responsibility of the parents or guardians and care must be made to ensure that they do not interfere with fencers who are bouting or taking lessons.

  All fencers must also pledge to practice with care and safety. Any coach or instructor may counsel fencers who are careless or do not follow safety practices for their own benefit as well as for other's benefit. The Head Coach, acting Head Coach or instructor may also request a fencer to leave the club if htey continue to be a threat to themselves or to others.

Club Safety Rules

  1. Participants must always be masked when weapons are raised, point forward. This means for all occasions -- including simple discussions of actions.
  2. Gloves, jacket, underarm protector, long pants or knickers and mask are required for all bouting and paired practice.
  3. Do not cause body contact nor use the unarmed hand against the opponent or the opponent's blade or to protect your target. Do not turn your back to your opponent.
  4. Violent fencing actions are not permitted. Each fencer must control parries and attacks so that the opponent is not injured by whipping or hard stabbing actions of the blade.
  5. Stop fencing instantly if you think something is wrong or if your opponent retreats and waves the unarmed hand or gives sign of wanting to stop.
  6. If you counterattack (attack into your opponent's attack), you are responsible for preventing corps à corps (body contact), injury from weapons and weapon breakage. Do not counterattack until you have had instruction and ample practice in drills.
  7. If you think a weapon is broken, stop fencing immediately.
  8. If you feel a fencer is behaving in a dangerous fashion, report if privately to the instructor or supervisor (who will not disclose your identity when they speak to the fencer).
  9. Flèche and running atacks must be made so as to pass beside the opponent as they finish. You are not allowed to make these attacks until you are able to bend the arm the instant your point arrives on target so as to relieve the pressure on the point. Initiators of these atacks are responsible for preventing corps à corps, injury and weapon breakage. Do not do these attacks until you have had instructions and practice.
  10. Do not remove your mask hastily during interruptions or at the end of combat unles permision and acknowledgement have been given by your partner, opponent and the person supervising the bout.
  11. Do not embellish or improvise with your weapon, hand or body if your instructor invents special games or takes you outside to fence; i.e. you must play exactly according to the rules established by your instructor.
  12. Inspect masks and weapons each time you use them. Inspect tips occasionally during bouting. Discontinue use of masks with broken mesh, weapons the demonstrate an S bend in the blade, or any other equipment that is no longer safe.
  13. Wear proper foot gear for fencing and be sure shoes are clean to avoid dust and dirt buildup (which can make the strips slippery). Pairs of fencers must work parallel; individuals must take care not to work behind fencers who are bouting and may retreat suddenly. Coaches and instructors have the power to tell fencers where they can or can not work. Please do not wear street shoes on the strips.
  14. Report injuries immediately to the coach or instructor. In general, it is wise to remain where you are when injured in sports.