USAFSE cheat sheet

Foil: valid target is the torso only (including groin and back); arms, legs, head, and neck are off-target. Hits on off-target areas stop the phrase but score no point.

Foil: only the point scores, and the point must land with sufficient force to depress the tip; the lamé defines the target, and a hit on the metallic vest registers on the scoring apparatus.

Foil priority (right of way): the attacker who begins the attack has priority; the defender must parry to take priority, and a counter-attack against a valid attack does not score.

Epee: the entire body is valid target, including mask, hands, and feet; there is no priority rule, and simultaneous hits (within the tolerance of the apparatus) score one point for each fencer.

Epee: double defeat (both fencers reach the winning score on a simultaneous hit) results in a loss for both fencers in the bout.

Sabre: valid target is everything above the waist (torso, arms, head, mask) - the legs are off-target; the whole weapon (blade edge, flat, and point) may score.

Sabre: priority rules apply as in foil; crossing the legs forward (cross-over) is a fault in sabre, and the attacker must be moving forward with the arm extending to establish priority.

In all three weapons, a hit that lands after the halt (halt called by the referee) does not count; the referee determines the moment of the halt.

In foil and sabre, a valid hit by the fencer with priority scores; if the fencer with priority hits off-target and the opponent hits on-target, no point is awarded and the phrase continues.

A bout in pool competition is fenced to 5 touches (or 3 minutes of effective fencing time), and the fencer with the higher score when time expires wins; ties go to the fencer with priority, or by random draw if no priority exists.

In direct elimination, bouts are fenced to 15 touches in three periods of 3 minutes each, with a 1-minute break between periods; the first fencer to 15 touches wins immediately.

Effective fencing time stops when the referee calls 'Halt' and restarts on 'Fence'; clock management is the referee's responsibility.

If a fencer is injured mid-bout, the referee may grant a break for medical treatment; a fencer cannot receive more than one medical break per competition without penalty.

Fencers must salute the opponent and the referee before the bout and shake hands after; refusal to salute is a breach of etiquette subject to penalty.

The fencer's equipment and uniform are checked at the beginning of the competition; the referee verifies conformity before each bout (mask, glove, weapon, and body cord).

A fencer who is not present when called to the strip may be penalized; after a defined delay the fencer is defaulted (forfeit of the bout).

Team bouts are fenced in relay format: each team member fences each opposing team member to a cumulative score, with the final score determining the winner.

A fencer may request the referee's decision on a point of fact only through the correct procedure; the referee's decision on points of fact is final.

Yellow card: a warning for a first group-1 offense (e.g., minor rule infractions, incorrect equipment discovered before the bout); a second group-1 offense by the same fencer in the same bout results in a red card.

Red card: awarded for a repeated group-1 offense or a first group-2 offense; the opponent receives one touch (point) and the offending fencer is penalized.

Black card: awarded for group-3 offenses (e.g., serious misconduct, refusal to obey the referee, dangerous or violent behavior); the fencer is excluded from the competition and may be suspended.

Group-1 offenses include: failure to salute, leaving the strip without permission, incorrect equipment that is corrected, and minor delays; first offense is a yellow card.

Group-2 offenses include: refusing to obey the referee, deliberate hits off-target or with the guard, and disturbing order on the strip; first offense is a red card.

Group-3 offenses include: violent or dangerous actions, deliberate cheating, and gross misconduct; result is a black card and exclusion.

A fencer who receives a red card loses one touch; if the score is tied, the opponent goes ahead by one touch, and the card is recorded on the scoresheet.

Cards carry across the bout but not across bouts in the same competition for group-1 offenses; group-3 offenses result in immediate exclusion.

The referee must announce the card, the reason, and the resulting score change clearly to both fencers and the scorer.

The referee's sequence: call 'En garde', then 'Ready', then 'Fence'; the bout begins only on 'Fence'.

On a halt, the referee calls 'Halt' and then analyzes the phrase: who attacked, who parried, who riposted, and where the hit landed, before awarding the point.

The referee must position themselves to see both fencers and the scoring apparatus; the referee moves along the strip to maintain a clear view.

The referee awards the point by indicating the fencer and announcing the score; the score is then confirmed with the scorer.

The referee uses hand signals to indicate the attack, the parry, the riposte, and the target area; signals must be clear and consistent.

The referee must not change a decision once the point has been awarded and the score recorded, except to correct a scoring error with the scorer.

In epee, the referee must check for simultaneous hits and, if both lights are on, award a point to each fencer unless the apparatus indicates otherwise.

The referee verifies the fencers' equipment (mask, glove, lamé, body cord) before the bout and may inspect weapons for conformity.

The referee's decision on points of fact is final; only a direct appeal to the tournament committee on a point of rule may be considered.

Foil: the tip must have a spring-loaded point with a defined travel and spring tension; the blade must be flexible and conform to the required length and weight.

Epee: the tip must have a defined travel and spring tension; the epee has a larger guard and a stiffer blade than the foil.

Sabre: the blade must be flexible and the guard must be curved to protect the hand; the sabre has no point-scoring tip in the same sense as foil/epee.

Masks must conform to safety standards (e.g., mesh strength and bib attachment); a damaged or non-conforming mask must be replaced before fencing.

The lamé (metallic vest) must be in good condition and must cover the valid target area; holes or wear can cause incorrect scoring and must be addressed.

Body cords and weapon cords must be checked for continuity; a broken cord can cause failure to register hits and must be replaced.

Fencers must wear a plastron (underarm protector) and a jacket that overlaps the breeches; the uniform must cover the body and provide protection.

Safety checks include the mask, glove, jacket, breeches, and shoes; the referee may stop a bout if equipment is unsafe.

The scoring apparatus must be tested before the bout; a malfunctioning apparatus may require a change of strip or equipment.

Pool rounds: fencers are grouped into pools and fence a round-robin; the results determine seeding for direct elimination.

Direct elimination: fencers are seeded by pool results; the bracket is single-elimination, and the winner advances.

The tournament committee is responsible for scheduling, strip assignment, and resolving disputes; the referee reports to the committee.

Fencers must report to the strip when called; failure to appear within the allowed time results in a default (forfeit).

The scoresheet records each bout's result, cards, and any penalties; the scorer and referee are responsible for accuracy.

Withdrawals and no-shows must be reported to the tournament committee, which adjusts the bracket and pool results accordingly.

Ties in pool results are broken by indicators (touches scored minus touches received) and then by touches scored.

The tournament director may modify the schedule or format in case of emergencies, and fencers must comply with published rules.

Spectators and coaches must remain outside the strip; interference with the bout may result in penalties against the fencer.

The referee must be impartial and must not favor either fencer; any conflict of interest must be disclosed to the tournament committee.

The referee must apply the rules consistently and must not change decisions based on pressure from fencers, coaches, or spectators.

The referee must maintain a professional demeanor and must not engage in arguments with fencers or coaches during the bout.

The referee must ensure the safety of the fencers and must stop the bout if a fencer is in danger.

The referee must not accept gifts or favors that could influence decisions; integrity is required at all times.

The referee must keep accurate records of cards and penalties and must report serious misconduct to the tournament committee.

The referee must be familiar with the current rules and must attend briefings and training as required by the governing body.

The referee must treat all fencers equally regardless of rank, nationality, or affiliation.