How to sign up for USA Fencing tournaments! Q and A

What is USA fencing? 

   USA fencing or USFA is the country’s governing body for the sport of fencing. 

How do I sign up?

   https://member.usafencing.org/signup – Generally you want to do this at the beginning of August. Never sign up in July  Please note that joining USA Fencing will cost money annually.

   Once you’ve signed up you can register for tournaments. There are several types. 

There are tournaments by age groups and ratings that can be seen here:

1. https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/document/2b22-1929323/2019_2020_Age_and_Classification_Chart_8.7.19.pdf
2. Once you understand where your fencer works with USA Fencing you can schedule tournaments via TWO places
   1. askFRED – This allows you to sign up for local USA Fencing Tournaments. When I say “local” I mean these tournaments can be anywhere in the country. Typically, they are held by fencing clubs or colleges.
   2. USAFencing’s website – Allows fencers to sign up for national and regional tournaments. You can tell national or regional tournaments because they will have something like NAC, RJCC, SYC.

How do I know what my child is rated?

   USA Fencing tournaments can give letter ratings for fencers. These have a significant impact on which tournaments a fencer can register for. So please refer to the types of tournaments table that is the second link in this email. If your fencer is fencing for the first time and hasn’t received a rating yet they are considered unrated and have a “U” attached to them They can improve their ratings by attending tournaments and finishing well relative to other fencers.

Please see this link for how to get better ratings: https://member.usafencing.org/files/ClassificationChart.pdf

What does my fencer need to go to a tournament?

Here’s your checklist:

• Jacket
• Mask
• Plastron
• Glove
• TWO body Chords
• TWO epees
• Chest protector (IF your child is a girl or young child)
• Pants
• Socks (Long enough to cover to the pants)
• Athletic Shoes
• USA Fencing Membership ID
• Proof of identity – driver’s license or some form of government issued document
• Water and/or Gatorade
• Small snack
• Extra money for lunch or extra snacks
• Check the tournament venue – if its at a college you may be required to print off a parking pass