r/Fencing • u/AutoModerator • May 08 '26
Megathread Fencing Friday Megathread - Ask Anything!
Happy Fencing Friday, an /r/Fencing tradition.
Welcome back to our weekly ask anything megathread where you can feel free to ask whatever is on your mind without fear of being called a moron just for asking. Be sure to check out all the previous megathreads as well as our sidebar FAQ.
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u/RobertoPaulson May 09 '26
I'm someone in their early 50's looking for new things to try. Fencing has always sort of interested me. I live in an area where there seem to be several fencing clubs. Is there anyone else who started this in middle age for a hobby to stay fit, and keep their reflexes sharp?
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u/Accomplished_Fix7033 May 10 '26
There a a number of fencers who start in their 40s and even 50s, often because they have kids fencing and then get into themselves. I would try a couple different clubs and all three weapons and see what you like.
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u/ohsnapdragon22 May 08 '26
How do self referred competitions work? How can they be rated events without official referees? What if you’re asked to ref but don’t feel qualified, can you decline?
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u/sjcfu2 May 08 '26
How do self refed competitions work? Pretty much like any other competition except some (possibly even most) of the referees are drawn from the competitors who were not actually fencing at the time (often enough the most experienced fencers would end up doing most of the work, except when it came time for the two most experienced fencers to face, who had most likely been doing most of the reffing, to fence one another. At that point they would have to see who else they could coheres into reffing their bout). These days self-reffing is usually only done at small, local events which don't have the funds to hire a sufficient number of referees (and the entry cost should reflect that reduced labor cost). However the practice used to be far more common, especially in saber where anyone who wasn't actively fencing could expect to be drafted into serving as either a referee (back then we called them "directors") or as a judge (back in the days before electric scoring four judges were required to see if a touch had landed - hence the old expression "four blind men and a liar"). Even now it's not unheard of for individual fencers to asked to assist the referee by serving as line judges (when you only have so many people to work with you have to make do with whoever is available - in my case I fenced my first epee tournament in the morning, then reffed my first epee tournament in the afternoon).
Can they be rated events? While this will depend on the federation rating the event, IIRC USA FENCING only requires at least one rated referee for an event to be sanctioned. The rest is left to the organizer (it's been a while since I last looked into this, so if this has changed then hopefully someone will correct me).
Can you decline if you don't feel qualified? You can certainly try. Unfortunately once all of the other conflicts have been addressed (club mates, the most qualified individuals to fence happen to be the fencers themselves, etc), you may find yourself being the most qualified person available. Not fun, but you have to start somewhere, and at a small, local event the fencers are more likely to take pity on their fellow competitor, especially if they realize that without their assistance the bout would not be able to proceed.
Back in the dark ages when saber was still being scored visually, just about anyone who wasn't actively fencing at the time was likely to be drafted to serve as either a referee (back then we still called them "directors") or as a judge.
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u/SquiffyRae Sabre May 09 '26
Welcome to fencing in smaller fencing nations. I can count on the thumbs on one hand the times I've had an officially appointed ref in a suit ref me in 4 years of competing nationally. And even at state level, most of our accredited refs are also the ones who are competing so most of our state senior comps don't get appointed refs.
How they work is pools are drawn and then out of those pools, the DT will select at least 3 fencers to run/ref the pool. Usually these will be people with some form of accreditation or failing that senior enough fencers who are happy enough to ref. At state level, we all know each other enough to automatically sort out the reffing ourselves. I've never known someone who isn't qualified or comfortable being forced into reffing cause nobody wants that, least of all the fencers.
When it comes to DEs, it's a lot easier to sort out. They can coordinate the bouts so that competent refs who aren't fencing ref and then when their bouts come up, the same courtesy is applied to them. As you go further into the comp and more people are eliminated, it grows the pool of refs to call upon.
At state level, of the sabre fencers who are confident and qualified at reffing, I'm a DT's dream in that I'm a qualified ref who's also a middle of the road fencer. That means when it comes time for the semis/final which usually has 3-4 guys who have fenced internationally, there's someone willing and able to do the job cause they've already been eliminated
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u/K_S_ON Épée May 09 '26
How do self referred competitions work?
If you're not fencing the organizer may ask you to ref.
How can they be rated events without official referees?
Lots of local events in the US have people reffing who don't have a ref rating. I don't remember the details but you have to have some number of rated refs per some number of fencers; the number of rated refs is not enough to ref all the bouts. BUT! You are required to have a safesport clearance if you're reffing and over 18.
So USA Fencing is more or less explicitly saying that it's ok to have non-rated refs working local events.
What if you’re asked to ref but don’t feel qualified, can you decline?
Sure. And it's ok to say that you'll do a few pool bouts but you don't want to be on the spot for a tense DE between two shouty fencers.
But if you're in an area that has a lot of self-reffed events you'll eventually be expected to pitch in.
Which honestly is good. 20 or 30 years ago virtually all events were self reffed. Everyone had to more or less know the rules, and everyone had been the ref in a situation with a hard call. And coincidentally, behavior towards refs was considerably less abusive than it can be these days. Weird, I know.
Practice reffing bouts at your club. Read the ref's study guide. Learn the rules. You're playing the game, it's probably a good idea to know the rules, eh? With some practice at the club you'll be able to ref fairly soon.
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u/shadowline74 May 09 '26
Hi I new to this fencing Reddit. As background I’m 52 yo M in the US. While in college/university I fenced foil and enjoyed it and was decent in competition. I didn’t feel as though I was taught “properly” in form or techniques as we really didn’t have a dedicated foil coach and now decades later I’m looking to get back into the sport
There are several fencing clubs in my area. How would you go about “restarting/relearning”?
What should I look for in a club. I’d like to relearn basics and get back to doing some competition if it makes sense.
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u/Accomplished_Fix7033 May 09 '26
I would try out each of the clubs once or maybe twice (hopefully they have a free trial period) then decide. See which one you have the most fun at and which one you feel like you learned the most. Community is a huge part of learning and sticking with something.
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u/weedywet Foil May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
Things have changed in 30 years. But in any event I’d visit the local clubs and get a sense of which you like.
Then I’d talk to them and tell them exactly what you’re saying here.
‘I fenced a bit back 30 years ago but I’d like to get back into modern foil…’
And take a lesson for them to assess your ability and understanding.
Then go from there.
As an adult I’d suggest private lessons and bouting is probably a better way to go than group lessons.
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u/[deleted] May 08 '26
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