Fie Fencing Rules

Front 1

t.1
When are the rules obligatory?

Back 1

t.1. These Rules are obligatory without modification for the ‘Official Com-
petitions of the FIE’, viz.:
—The World Championships, in all categories
—The fencing events at the Olympic Games
—All World Cup competitions.
—The Zonal Championships.

Front 2

t.2.
What is the difference between an assault and a bout?

Back 2

t.2. A friendly combat between two fencers is called an assault. When the
score of such an assault is kept to determine a result it is called a bout.

Front 3

t.3.
What is a match?

Back 3

t.3. The aggregate of the bouts fought between the fencers of two different
teams is called a match.

Front 4

t.4.
What is a competition?

Back 4

t.4. 1. A competition is the aggregate of the bouts (individual competi-
tions) or of the matches (team competitions) required to determine
the winner of the event.
2. Competitions are distinguished by weapons, by the competitors’ sex,
by their age and by the fact that they are for individuals or for teams.

Front 5

t.5.
What is a Championship?

Back 5

A championship is the name given to a competition held to determine
the best fencer or the best team at each weapon for a federation, for a
specific region or for the world and for a specific period of time.

Front 6

t.6.
What is fencing time?

Back 6

t.6. Fencing time is the time required to perform one simple fencing action.

Front 7

t.7.1
What are the offensive actions

Back 7

t.7. 1. The offensive actions are the attack, the riposte and the counter-
riposte.
—The attack is the initial offensive action made by extending the
arm and continuously threatening the opponent’s target, preced-
ing the launching of the lunge or flèche (cf. t.56ss, t.75ss).
—The riposte is the offensive action made by the fencer who has
parried the attack.
—The counter-riposte is the offensive action made by the fencer
who has parried the riposte.

Front 8

t.7.2.
What are the defensive actions?

Back 8

t.7.2. The defensive actions are the parries.
—The parry is the defensive action made with the weapon to pre-
vent an offensive action arriving.

Front 9

t.8.2
What are simple and compound attacks?

Back 9

t.8. Offensive actions
1. The attack
The action is simple when it is executed in one movement and is
—either direct (in the same line)
—or indirect (in another line).
The action is compound when it is executed in several movements.

Front 10

t.8.2
What is a simple, direct riposte?

Back 10

2. The riposte
The riposte may be immediate or delayed, depending on what action
takes place and the speed at which it is carried out.
Ripostes are:
a) Simple, direct
—Direct riposte: a riposte which hits the opponent without leav-
ing the line in which the parry was made.
—Riposte along the blade: a riposte which hits the opponent by
grazing along the blade after the parry.

Front 11

t.8.2.b
What is an indirect riposte?

Back 11

b) Simple, indirect
—Riposte by disengagement: a riposte which hits the opponent in
the opposite line to that in which the parry was formed (by passing
under the opponent’s blade if the parry was formed in the high
line, and over the blade if the parry was formed in the low line).
—Riposte with a coupé: a riposte which hits the opponent in the
opposite line to that in which the parry was formed (the blade
always passing over the opponent’s point).

Front 12

t.8.2.c.
What is a compound riposte?

Back 12

c) Compound
—Riposte with a doublé: a riposte which hits the opponent in the
opposite line to that in which the parry was formed, but after
having described a complete circle round the opponent’s blade.
—Riposte with a one–two: a riposte which hits the opponent in the
same line as that in which the parry was formed but after the
blade has first been into the opposite line, by passing under the
opponent’s blade.

Front 13

t.8.3
What are the counter-attacks?

Back 13

3. Counter-attacks
Counter-attacks are offensive or offensive–defensive actions made
during the offensive action of the opponent.
a) The stop hit
A counter-attack made into an attack.
b) The stop hit made with opposition
A counter-attack made while closing the line in which the oppo-
nent’s attack will be completed (cf. t.56ss, t.64ss and t.76ss).
c) The stop hit made within a period of fencing time, i.e. ‘in time’
(cf. t.59, t.79).

Front 14

t.8.4.a
What is a remise?

Back 14

4. Other offensive actions
a) The remise
A simple and immediate offensive action which follows the
original attack, without withdrawing the arm, after the oppo-
nent has parried or retreated, when the latter has either quitted
contact with the blade without riposting or has made a riposte
which is delayed, indirect or compound.

Front 15

t.8.4.b
What is a redoublement?

Back 15

b) The redoublement
A new action, either simple or compound, made against an op-
ponent who has parried without riposting or who has merely
avoided the first action by retreating or displacing the target.

Front 16

t.8.4.c
What is a reprise?

Back 16

c) The reprise of the attack
A new attack executed immediately after a return to the on-
guard position.

Front 17

t.8.4.d
What is counter-time?

Back 17

d) Counter-time
Any action made by the attacker against a stop hit made by his
opponent.

Front 18

t.9
What are simple and circular parries?

Back 18

t.9. Parries are simple, direct, when they are made in the same line as the
attack.
They are circular (counter-parries) when they are made in the opposite
line to that of the attack.

Front 19

t.10.
What is point in line?

Back 19

t.10. The point in line position is a specific position in which the fencer’s
sword arm is kept straight and the point of his weapon continually
threatens his opponent’s valid target (cf. t.56.3.a/b/c, t.60.4.e, t.60.5.a,
t.76, t.80.3.e, t.80.4.a/b).

Front 20

t.11
What are the conditions for the field of play?

Back 20

t.11. The field of play should have an even surface. It should give neither
advantage nor disadvantage to either of the two fencers concerned, especially as regards light.

Front 21

t.12
What is the piste?

Back 21

t.12. 1. That portion of the field of play which is used for fencing is called
the piste.
2. Competitions at the three weapons are fenced on the same pistes.

Front 22

t.13
What is the size of the piste?

Back 22

t.13. 1. The piste is from 1.50 metres to 2 metres wide.
2. The piste is 14 metres long, so that each competitor being placed at 2
metres from the centre line has at his disposal for retreating a total
distance of 5 metres without it being necessary for him to cross the
rear limit of the piste with both feet.

Front 23

t.14
How many lines are there on the piste?

Back 23

t.14. Five lines should be drawn very clearly on the piste at right angles to its
length, as follows:

Front 24

t.14.a
What is the centre line?

Back 24

a) one centre line which must be drawn as a broken line across the
whole width of the piste;

Front 25

t.14.b
What are the on-guard lines?

Back 25

b) two on-guard lines at 2 metres on each side of the centre line. These
must be drawn across the whole width of the piste;

Front 26

t.14.c
What are the rear limit lines?

Back 26

c) two lines at the rear limits of the piste, which must be drawn across
the whole width of the piste, at a distance of 7 metres from the centre line.

Front 27

t.14.d
What are the additional lines?

Back 27

d) In addition, the last 2 metres of the piste before these rear limit
lines must be clearly distinguished — if possible by a different col-
our of piste — to make it easy for the fencers to be aware of their
position on the piste (see Figures 1 and 2, pp.9 and 10).

Front 28

t.15.1
Who is responsible for fencer's equipment?

Back 28

t.15. 1. Fencers arm, equip and clothe themselves and fence at their own
responsibility and at their own risk.

Front 29

t.15.2
Do the rules guarantee safety?

Back 29

t.15.2. The safety measures specified in the Rules and in the standards contained in the annexe to them and the methods of control laid down in the present Rules (cf. Material Rules) are only designed to increase the fencers’ safety and cannot guarantee it. They cannot,
therefore, whatever the manner in which they are applied, impart responsibility to the FIE, or to the organisers of competitions, to the
officials or personnel who carry out such organisation, or to those
who may cause an accident.

Front 30

t.16.1
How must defence be executed?

Back 30

t.16. 1. With all three weapons, defence must be effected exclusively with the guard and the blade used either separately or together.

Front 31

t.16.2.
How should a weapon be held without a special device or attachment or special shape?

Back 31

t.16.2
2. If the handle has no special device or attachment or special shape
(e.g. orthopaedic), a fencer may hold it in any way he wishes and he
may also alter the position of his hand on the handle during a bout.
However, the weapon must not be — either permanently or temporar-
ily, in an open or disguised manner — transformed into a throwing
weapon; it must be used without the hand leaving the handle and
without the hand slipping along the handle from front to back during
an offensive action.

Front 32

t.16.3
How should a weapon with a special device or attachment or special shape be held?

Back 32

t.16.3. When the handle has a special device or attachment or has a special shape (e.g. orthopaedic) it must be held in such a way that the upper surface of the thumb is in the same plane as the groove in the blade (at foil or at epée) and perpendicular to the plane of flexibility of the blade at sabre.

Front 33

t.16.4
How many hands can be used?

Back 33

t.16.4 The weapon must be used with one hand only; a fencer may not change hands until the end of the bout, unless the Referee gives special permission in the case of injury to the hand or arm.

Front 34

t.17.1
Who comes on guard on the right?

Back 34

t.17. 1. The fencer whose number is called first should place himself on
the right of the Referee, except in the case of a bout between a right-
and a left-hander, if the left-hander is called first.

Front 35

t.17.2
Where do the fencers start from?

Back 35

t.17.2. The Referee places each of the two competitors in such a way that the front foot of each is 2 metres from the centre line of the piste (that is, behind the ‘on-guard’ lines).

Front 36

t.17.3
Where in the width of the piste do the fencers come on guard?

Back 36

t.17.3 Competitors are always put on guard, whether at the beginning of the bout or subsequently, in the centre of the width of the piste.

Front 37

t.17.4
How far apart must the fencers be when on guard?

Back 37

t.17.4 When placed on guard during the bout, the distance between the two
competitors must be such that, in the position ‘point in line’, the
points of the two blades cannot make contact.

Front 38

t.17.5
After a valid hit, where do the fencers come on guard?

Back 38

t.17.5. After the scoring of a valid hit the competitors are put on guard in
the middle of the piste.

Front 39

t.17.6
Where do the fencers come on guard if no hit is awarded?

Back 39

t.17.6. If no hit is awarded they are replaced in the position which they
occupied when the bout was interrupted.

Front 40

t.17.7
Where do the fencers come on guard at the beginning of a time period?

Back 40

t.17.7. At the beginning of each period (in a direct elimination bout) and of any additional minute of fencing time, the fencers are placed on guard in the middle of the piste.

Front 41

t.17.8
Can a fencer be placed on guard so that his front foot is behind the rear line?

Back 41

t.17.8. The competitors may not be replaced on guard, at their correct
distance, in such a way as to place behind the rear line of the piste a
fencer who was in front of that line when the bout was halted. If he
already had one foot behind the rear line, he remains in that position.

Front 42

t.17.9
What happens if a fencer has crossed the lateral boundaries of the piste?

Back 42

t.17.9. If a fencer has crossed the lateral boundaries of the piste, he may be put back on guard at the correct distance even if this places him behind the rear line and thereby causes a hit to be awarded against him.

Front 43

t.17.10
What is the sequence for play beginning?

Back 43

t.17.10. Competitors come on guard when the Referee gives the order ‘On guard!’, after which the Referee asks, ‘Are you ready?’. On receiv-
ing an affirmative reply, or in the absence of a negative reply, he
gives the command for fencing to commence with the word ‘Play!’.

Front 44

t.17.11
How should the fencers come on guard?

Back 44

t.17.11. The fencers must come on guard correctly and remain completely still until the command ‘Play!’ is given by the Referee.

Front 45

t.17.12
At foil and sabre, may fencers come on guard 'in line'

Back 45

t.17.12. At foil and sabre fencers may not come on guard in the ‘in line’
position.

Front 46

t.18.1
How does the bout start?

Back 46

t.18 1. The start of the bout is signalled by the word ‘Play!’. No movement made or initiated before the word ‘Play!’ is counted.

Front 47

t.18.2
How does the bout stop?

Back 47

t.18.2. The bout stops on the word ‘Halt!’, except in the case of special
events occurring which modify the regular and normal conditions of
the bout (cf. also t.32.1/2).

Front 48

t.18.3
What happens when halt is called?

Back 48

t.18.3. Directly the order ‘Halt!’ has been given, a competitor may not start
a new action; only a movement which has been begun before the
order was given remains valid. Everything which takes place after-
wards is entirely non-valid (But cf. t.32.1/2).

Front 49

t.18.4
What happens if a competitor stops before halt is called?

Back 49

t.18.4. If a competitor stops before the word ‘Halt!’, and is hit, the hit is
valid.

Front 50

t.18.5
In what other circumstances can halt be called?

Back 50

t.18.5. The order ‘Halt!’ is also given if the play of the competitors is dan-
gerous, confused, or contrary to the Rules, if one of the competitors is disarmed or leaves the piste, or if, while retiring, he approaches too near the spectators or the Referee (cf. t.26, t.54.5 and
t.73.4.j).

Front 51

t.18.6.
When may the referee allow a fencer to leave the piste?

Back 51

t.18.6. The Referee may not allow a fencer to leave the piste, save in exceptional circumstances. If a competitor does so without permission he is liable to incur the penalties enumerated in Articles t.114, t.116,
t.120.

Front 52

t.19
When is fencing at close quarters allowed?

Back 52

t.19. Fencing at close quarters is allowed so long as the competitors can
wield their weapons correctly and the Referee can, at foil and sabre,
follow the phrase.

Front 53

t.20.1
What is corps a corps?

Back 53

t.20.1. Corps à corps is said to exist when the two competitors are in contact; when this occurs the Referee must stop the bout (cf. t.25, t.63.1/2/3).

Front 54

t.20.2
Is it permitted to cause corps a corps?

Back 54

t.20.2. At foil and at sabre it is forbidden for a fencer to cause corps à corps (even without brutality or violence). Should such an offence occur, the Referee will penalise the fencer at fault as specified in Articles t.114, t.116, t.120, and any hit scored by the fencer at fault is

Front 55

t.20.3
Is it ever permitted to cause corps a corps intentionally?

Back 55

t.20.3. At all three weapons it is forbidden for a fencer to cause corps à corps intentionally to avoid being hit, or to jostle his opponent.
Should such an offence occur, the Referee will penalise the fencer at
fault as specified in Articles t.114, t.116, t.120 and any hit scored by
the fencer at fault is annulled.

Front 56

t.21.1
Are displacing the target and ducking allowed?

Back 56

t.21. 1. Displacing the target and ducking are allowed even if during the action the unarmed hand comes into contact with the piste.

Front 57

t.21.2
Is it permitted to turn one's back on an opponent?

Back 57

t.21.2. It is forbidden to turn one’s back on one’s opponent during the bout.
Should such an offence occur, the Referee will penalise the fencer at
fault as specified in Articles t.114, t.116, t.120 and any hit scored by
the fencer at fault is annulled.

Front 58

t.21.3
What must happen when a fencer passes another?

Back 58

t.21.3. When a fencer goes past his opponent during a bout, the Referee
must immediately call ‘Halt!’ and replace the competitors in the positions which they occupied before the passing took place.

Front 59

t.21.4
What hits are valid when a fencer passes his opponent?

Back 59

t.21.4. When hits are made as a fencer passes his opponent, the hit made immediately is valid; a hit made after passing his opponent by the competitor who has made the passing movement is annulled, but the hit made immediately, even when turning round, by the competitor who has been subjected to the offensive action, is valid.

Front 60

t.21.5
What happens if the equipment is disturbed by an extended fleche?

Back 60

t.21.5. If during a bout a fencer who has made a flèche attack has a hit
registered against him and he continues to run beyond the extreme limit of the piste sufficiently far to cause his spool or the connecting line to his spool to be torn out, the hit which he has received will not
be annulled (cf. t.103).

Front 61

t.22.1
What are the regulations on use of the non-sword arm?

Back 61

t.22. 1. The use of the non-sword hand and arm to carry out an offensive or defensive action is forbidden (cf. t.114, t.117, t.120). Should such an offence occur, the hit scored by the fencer at fault is annulled and the latter will be penalised as specified for offences of the 2nd group (red card).

Front 62

t.22.2
Is it permitted to protect the target area?

Back 62

t.22.2. At foil and sabre, it is forbidden to protect the target area or to substitute another part of the body for the target area, either by
covering or by an abnormal movement (cf. t.114, t.116, t.120); any hit scored by the fencer at fault is annulled.

Front 63

t.22.2.a
What is the penalty for substitution?

Back 63

t.22.2.a) If, during the fencing phrase, there is protection or substitution of a valid surface, the fencer at fault will be penalised as specified for offences of the 1st group (cf. also t.49.1, t.72.2).

Front 64

t.22.2.b
In what circumstances would a hit be awarded in the case of substitution?

Back 64

t.22.2.b) If, during the fencing phrase, as a result of protection or substitution of a valid surface, a hit correctly given is registered as not
valid , the fencer at fault will be penalised as specified for offences of the 1st group (cf. also t.49.1, t.72.2) and the hit will be
awarded by the referee.

Front 65

t.22.3
What are the regulations regarding taking hold of the electrical equipment with the non-sword hand?

Back 65

t.22.3. During the fight, the fencer must not, under any circumstances, take hold of any part of the electrical equipment with his non-sword
hand (cf. t.114, t.116, t.120); any hit scored by the fencer at fault is annulled.

Front 66

t.23.1
In what circumstances should judges be called?

Back 66

t.23.1. If during a bout the Referee notices that one of the fencers is making use of his non-sword arm and/or hand, or is protecting or covering the valid target with a non-valid surface, he can call for the help of two neutral judges who will be designated by the Directoire Technique.

Front 67

t.23.2
What actions do the judges take?

Back 67

t.23.2. These judges, one on each side of the piste, will watch all aspects of the fight and will indicate, by raising their hand or when asked by
the Referee, if the non-sword arm or hand has been used, or if the
fencer has protected or covered the valid target with a non-valid sur-
face (cf. t.49, t.114, t.116, t.120).

Front 68

t.23.3
What other actions can the referee take if use of the non-sword arm is suspected?

Back 68

t.23.3. The Referee may also make the fencers change places so that the
fencer committing this fault does not have his back to the Referee.

Front 69

t.24
What happens to gained ground, normally?

Back 69

t.24. When the order ‘Halt!’ is given ground gained is held until a hit has
been given. When competitors are replaced on guard, each fencer should retire an equal distance in order to keep fencing distance (cf. t.17.2/4).

Front 70

t.25
What happens to gained ground in the event of corps a corps or flèche?

Back 70

t.25. However, if the bout has been stopped on account of corps à corps, the fencers are replaced on guard in such a position that the competitor who has sustained the corps à corps is at the place which he previously occupied; this also applies if his opponent has subjected him to a flèche attack, even without corps à corps.

Front 71

t.26.1
What happens immediately when a competitor crosses one of the lateral boundaries of the piste?

Back 71

t.26. 1. When a competitor crosses one of the lateral boundaries of the piste with one or both feet, the Referee must immediately call ‘Halt!’.

Front 72

t.26.2
What happens if the competitor leaves the piste with both feet?

Back 72

t.26.2. If the fencer goes off the piste with both feet, the Referee must
annul everything that has occurred after the boundary has been
crossed, except a hit received by the competitor who has crossed the
boundary even after he has crossed it, provided that this hit results
from a simple and immediate action.

Front 73

t.26.3
What happens if the competitor leaves the piste with one foot?

Back 73

t.23.3. However, a hit scored by the fencer who leaves the piste with one
foot only is valid provided that the action was started before the
‘Halt!’.

Front 74

t.26.4
What hits can be counted valid when one competitor leaves the piste with both feet?

Back 74

t.26.4. If one of the competitors leaves the piste with both feet, only a hit made by the fencer who remains on the piste with at least one foot can be counted valid, even in the case of a double hit.

Front 75

t.27
What happens when a fencer crosses the rear limit of the piste?

Back 75

t.27. Should a competitor cross the rear limit of the piste completely — i.e.
with both feet — a hit will be scored against him.

Front 76

t.28.1
What is the penalty for crossing one of the lateral boundaries of the piste?

Back 76

t.28. 1. A competitor who crosses one of the lateral boundaries of the piste with one or both feet is penalised. When the competitors are replaced on guard, the opponent of the competitor who has crossed the lateral boundary will step forward one metre from the position he occupied when his opponent left the piste; the competitor who is penalised
must retire in order to resume the correct fencing distance.

Front 77

t.28.2
What happens if a lateral boundary penalty results in the fencer being placed off the piste?

Back 77

t.28.2. If the exercise of this penalty places a competitor with both feet
beyond the rear limit of the piste, that competitor is considered as
having been hit.

Front 78

t.28.3
What happens to a competitor who crosses one of the lateral boundaries of the piste to avoid being hit?

Back 78

t.28.3. A competitor who crosses one of the lateral boundaries of the piste with one or both feet — e.g. when making a flèche — to avoid being hit will be penalised as specified in Articles t.114, t.116, t.120.

Front 79

t.29
What happens if a fencer leaves the piste accidentally?

Back 79

t.29. A competitor who involuntarily crosses one of the boundaries of the
piste as the result of any accidental cause (such as jostling) incurs no
penalty whatever.

Front 80

t.30.1
What is the effective duration of the bout?

Back 80

t.30.1. Duration of the bout is held to mean the effective duration, that is
the total of the intervals of time between the orders ‘Play!’ and ‘Halt!’.

Front 81

t.30.2
How is the duration of the bout registered?

Back 81

t.302. The duration of the bout is registered by the Referee or by a timekeeper. For the finals of all official competitions, as well as for all
bouts for which a chronometer is visible to the spectators, the chronometer must be so placed that it is visible to the two fencers on the
piste and to the Referee.

Front 82

t.30.3
What is the length of the effective duration?

Back 82

t.30.3. The effective duration of a bout is:
—For pools, 5 hits, maximum 3 minutes.
—For direct elimination bouts, 15 hits, maximum 9 minutes divided into 3 periods of 3 minutes, with one minute’s pause between any two periods.
—For team matches, 3 minutes for each lap or bout.

Front 83

t.31.1
When may the fencers ask about time left?

Back 83

t.31.1. The fencers may ask how much time they have left to fence each
time that the fencing is interrupted.

Front 84

t.31.2
What happens if a fencer causes or prolongs interruptions?

Back 84

t.31.2 Any fencer who attempts improperly to cause or to prolong interruptions to the bout is penalised as specified in Articles t.114, t.116,
t.120.

Front 85

t.32.1
What happens at the expiry of fencing time?

Back 85

t.32. 1. At the expiry of the regulation fencing time, if the clock is linked
to the scoring apparatus (obligatory standard for finals of official
FIE competitions), it must set off automatically a loud audible signal, and automatically cut off the scoring apparatus, without cancelling hits registered before the disconnection. The bout stops with the audible signal.

Front 86

t.32.2
What happens if the clock is not linked to the scoring apparatus?

Back 86

t.32.2
2. If the clock is not linked to the scoring apparatus, the timekeeper must shout ‘Halt!’ (or operate a sound signal) which stops the
fight; in this case even a ‘coup lancé’ is not valid

Front 87

t.32.3
What happens in the event of a clock failure?

Back 87

t.32.3
3. Should there be a failure of the clock or an error by the timekeeper, the Referee must himself estimate how much fencing time is
left.

Front 88

t.33.1
What are the rules relating to cramp?

Back 88

t.33.1. For an injury or cramp which occurs in the course of a bout and
which is properly attested by the delegate of the FIE Medical
Committee or by the doctor on duty, the Referee will allow a break in
the fight lasting no longer than 10 minutes. This break should be
timed from the point when the doctor gave his opinion and be strictly
reserved for the treatment of the injury or cramp which brought it
about. If the doctor considers, before or at the end of the 10-minute
break, that the fencer is incapable of continuing the fight, he will
decide that the fencer should retire (individual events) and/or be
replaced, if possible (team events) (cf. o.44.11.a/b).

Front 89

t.33.2
Can a fencer be given a second period later in the day for the same injury?

Back 89

t.33.2. During the remainder of the same day, a fencer cannot be allowed
a further break unless as a result of a different injury or cramp.

Front 90

t.33.3
What happens if the fencer demands a break deemed by the medical representative to be unjustified?

Back 90

t.33.3. Should a fencer demand a break which is deemed by the delegate of the Medical Committee or by the doctor on duty to be unjustified,
the Referee will penalise that fencer as specified in Articles t.114, t.117, t.120.

Front 91

t.33.4
In team events, can a fencer later continue on doctor's advice?

Back 91

t.33.4. In team events a fencer judged unable to continue the bout by the doctor may, nevertheless, on the advice of the same doctor, fight in
subsequent matches on the same day.

Front 92

t.33.5
Can the order of bouts be altered in the event of injury?

Back 92

t.33.5. The Directoire Technique may modify the order of bouts in a pool
in order to ensure the efficient running of the competition (cf. o.16.1).

Front 93

t.34.1
What is the pledge of honour of a referee?

Back 93

t.34.1. By accepting a position as referee or judge, the person so designated pledges his honour to respect the Rules and to cause them to be respected, and to carry out his duties with the strictest impartiality

Front 94

t.34.2
Can a referee combine their function with any other activity?

Back 94

t.34.2. Referees may not combine their function with any other activity
during the tournament, such as member of the Directoire Technique,
team captain, official delegate of their national federation, trainer, etc.

Front 95

t.35.1
What are the licensing rules for a referee?

Back 95

t.35.1. All bouts at fencing are directed by a referee who must be an FIE
referee licensed for the current season.

Front 96

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
a

Back 96

t.35.2.a) He calls the roll of the competitors (cf. t.86.1, t.86.5/6).

Front 97

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
b

Back 97

t.35.2.b) He directs the bout.

Front 98

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
c

Back 98

t.35.2.c) Before each bout he must check the weapons, clothes and equipment of the fencers, according to the regulations below.

Front 99

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
d

Back 99

t.35.2.d) He superintends the proper functioning of the electrical apparatus. Either on his own initiative or when asked to do so by a team captain or competitor, he implements tests necessary to check the apparatus and locate any faults which may be found. He will
prevent the competitors from hindering the tests by unplugging
or changing their equipment at the wrong moment.

Front 100

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
e

Back 100

t.35.2.e) He directs the judges, time-keepers, scorers, etc.

Front 101

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
f

Back 101

t.35.2.f) He positions himself and moves in such a way as to be able to follow the bout while always being able to see the illumination
of the signal lamps.

Front 102

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
g

Back 102

t.35.2.g) He penalises faults (cf. t.96.2).

Front 103

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
h

Back 103

t.35.2.h) He awards the hits (cf. t.40ss).

Front 104

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
i

Back 104

t.35.2.i) He maintains order (cf. t.96.1–4).

Front 105

t.35.2
What are the referees duties?
j

Back 105

t.35.2.j) Whenever he considers it necessary, he should consult the experts concerning the electrical apparatus (cf. o.7).

Front 106

t.36.1
What is the role of judges?

Back 106

t.36. 1. The Referee fulfils his functions with the aid of an apparatus for the automatic registering of hits; he may also be assisted by two judges
watching for the use of the unarmed hand or arm, substitution of the
valid target, hits scored on the floor at épée, leaving the piste to the
side or the rear or any other offence defined in the Rules (cf. t.120).

Front 107

t.36.2
When are judges obligatory?

Back 107

t.36.2. The judges are obligatory for all individual competition finals
(whether of 4 or 8 fencers) and for the final (2 teams) of team events.

Front 108

t.36.3
What is the placement of judges?

Back 108

t.36.3. The judges are placed on each side of the Referee, on either side of the piste; they watch all aspects of the entire fight.

Front 109

t.36.4
When should the judges change ends?

Back 109

t.36.4. The judges must change ends halfway through each bout or after
each period in direct elimination bouts and after each bout in team
matches, so as not to watch the same fencer the whole time.

Front 110

t.40.1
How the materiality of the hit established?

Back 110

t.40.1. The materiality of the hit is established according to the indications of the apparatus, and when necessary by consulting the judges (cf. t.36).

Front 111

t.40.2
What can be taken into consideration for judging hits?

Back 111

t.40.2. Only the indications of the electrical apparatus as indicated by its own lamps or by the extension lamps can be taken into consideration for judging hits. Under no circumstances can the Referee declare a
competitor to be hit unless the hit has been properly registered by the
apparatus (except as provided for in Article t.49.1 or when a penalty
hit has been awarded).

Front 112

t.41
Can hits be annulled?

Back 112

t.41. On the other hand, the Referee should, in the cases enumerated for each weapon, annul a hit registered by the apparatus (cf. t.53ss, t.66ss, t.73).

Front 113

t.42.1
When should the referee analyse the movements?

Back 113

t.42.1. As soon as the bout has stopped, the Referee briefly analyses the movements which composed the last fencing phrase.

Front 114

t.42.2
When may the referee check with a television monitor?

Back 114

t.42.2. For finals, the Referee may make use of a television monitor to check on his decision should he be uncertain.

Front 115

t.42.3
What is the process for determining the hit?

Back 115

t.42.3. After reaching his decision regarding the materiality of a hit, the
Referee, by applying the rules, decides which fencer was hit, whether both were hit (épée), or whether there was no valid hit (cf. t.55ss, t.64ss, t.74ss).

Front 116

t.43.1
Before the start of each pool, team match or bout by direct elimina-
tion, the Referee must assemble all the competitors and verify that
a

Back 116

t.43.1.a) at all weapons, the FIE guarantee label is present on the fencers’ equipment (clothing, masks).

Front 117

t.43.1
Before the start of each pool, team match or bout by direct elimina-
tion, the Referee must assemble all the competitors and verify that
b

Back 117

t.43.1.b) at foil, the conductive jacket conforms to the provision of Article
m.28 when each competitor is standing upright, is on guard and
is in the lunge position;

Front 118

t.43.1
Before the start of each pool, team match or bout by direct elimina-
tion, the Referee must assemble all the competitors and verify that
c

Back 118

t.43.1.c) at épée, the material from which the clothing is made has not too smooth a surface, and the competitor is wearing a jacket con-
forming to the regulations;

Front 119

t.43.1
Before the start of each pool, team match or bout by direct elimina-
tion, the Referee must assemble all the competitors and verify that
d

Back 119

t.43.1.d) at sabre, the conductive jacket conforms to the provision of
Article m.34 when each competitor is standing upright, is on guard and is in the lunge position;

Front 120

t.43.1
Before the start of each pool, team match or bout by direct elimina-
tion, the Referee must assemble all the competitors and verify that
e

Back 120

t.43.1.e) at all three weapons, each fencer is wearing, under his jacket, a
regulation protective under-plastron, made of cloth which can resist 800 Newtons.

Front 121

t.43.1
Before the start of each pool, team match or bout by direct elimina-
tion, the Referee must assemble all the competitors and verify that
f

Back 121

t.43.1.f) at all three weapons, the fencer is not equipped with any elec-
tronic communication equipment which would allow a person
off the piste to communicate with the fencer during the bout.

Front 122

t.43.1
When must checking take place?

Back 122

t.43.1 In pools, this checking must be done at the roll call of the fencers.
For bouts in the direct elimination and the finals this checking must
be done in the assembly area.
The organisers of all official FIE competitions (junior and senior)
must make provision in their set-up for an assembly area.

Front 123

t.44.1
Can the referee make additional checks?

Back 123

t.44. 1. In addition to the checks mentioned above, the Referee of a bout may at any time, on his own initiative or at the request of a fencer or of a team captain, carry out such checks, or verify the checks already
carried out or even carry out, or have carried out, new checks (cf. t.35).

Front 124

t.44.2
What checks are made at the beginning of the bout?

Back 124

t.44.2. He will in any case, before each bout, ensure that the guarantee
label is present on the clothing, the blade and the mask of each fencer,
and that the insulation of the wires inside the guard and the pressure of the spring in the point of foils and épées conform with the Rules. Checking the insulation of the wires and the pressure of the spring will be repeated each time a weapon is changed. At all three weapons, he will check that the fencer is not equipped with electronic communication equipment which would allow a person off
the piste to communicate with the fencer during the bout.

Front 125

t.44.3
What are the epee specific checks?

Back 125

t.44.3. At épée he will check the total travel and the residual travel of the
pointe d’arrêt:
—He will check the total travel by inserting a gauge measuring
1.5 mm between the barrel of the pointe d’arrêt and the tip. This
gauge, provided by the Organising Committee, may have a tolerance of ± 0.05 mm, i.e. from 1.45 mm to 1.55 mm.
—He will check the residual travel by inserting a gauge measuring 0.5 mm between the barrel of the pointe d’arrêt and the tip.
The apparatus should not register when the point is depressed.
This gauge, provided by the Organising Committee, may have a
tolerance of ± 0.05 mm, i.e. from 0.45 mm to 0.55 mm.

Front 126

t.44.4
Where are details of the weight check found?

Back 126

t.44.4. For details of the weight used for the check, cf. m.11.3, m.19.3,
m.42.2.d.

Front 127

t.44.5
What does the referee do with reserve equipment?

Back 127

t.44.5. At the beginning of the bout the Referee will place the reserve equipment that has been checked near the appropriate end of the piste
for the fencer concerned.

Front 128

t.45
What happens to non-regulation equipment?

Back 128

t.45. In whatever circumstances a fencer on the piste is found to be in possession of equipment which is non-regulation or defective (cf. m.8, m.9,
m.12, m.13, m.16, m.17, m.23), this equipment will be immediately
confiscated and submitted to the experts on duty for examination. The
equipment in question will only be returned to the owner after the measures necessitated by this examination have been completed and, if appropriate, after the payment of any expenses for repairs. The equipment must be rechecked before it is used again.

Front 129

t.45.1
What happens if the fencer appears with insufficient equipment?

Back 129

t.45.1. If a fencer appears on the piste:
—with only one regulation weapon (cf. t.86.1/2); or
—with only one regulation bodywire; or
—with a weapon or a bodywire which does not work or which
does not conform with the Rules; or
—without his protective under-plastron (cf. t.43.1.e above); or
—with a conductive jacket which does not fully cover the valid
target; or
—with clothing which does not conform with the Rules;
the Referee will apply the penalties according to Articles t.114, t.116,
t.120 (First Group).

Front 130

t.45.2
What happens if an irregularity develops during the bout?

Back 130

t.45.2. When during a bout an irregularity is found in the equipment which
could be caused by conditions during the bout:
Examples:
—conductive jacket with holes in which hits are registered as non-
valid,
—weapon or bodywire no longer functioning,
—pressure of the spring in the point too weak,
—the travel in the point no longer regulation,
the Referee will apply neither warning nor penalty and any hit
scored with the equipment which has become defective will be
awarded.

Front 131

t.45.2 additional
What happens during the bout if the curvature of the blade becomes illegal?

Back 131

t.45.2
However, even during the course of a bout, any fencer whose weapon,
at the moment he presents himself on guard and ready to fence, has a
curve of the blade which exceeds that permitted (cf. m.8.6, m.16.2,
m.23.4) commits an offence in the first group and will be penalised in
accordance with Articles t.114, t.116 and t.120.