- Tournament Contact
- tournaments@escrimeur.com
732-309-8302 voice/SMS - Schedule & Registration
- escrimeur.com/askfred
Closing times: Who Is Coming
Read this first. This guide supplements the published event announcement and current USA Fencing rules, policies, and eligibility charts. If information conflicts, the current governing document and Bout Committee decision control.
1. Before You Register
- Membership: Every entrant needs an active USA Fencing membership. Access membership is sufficient for sanctioned local tournaments and divisional qualifiers; Competitive or another qualifying membership is required for regional and national events. International athletes must hold the USA Fencing membership/license applicable to them.
- Eligibility: Confirm age and rating eligibility before registering. The 2026-27 birth-year chart changes after the February 2027 NAC for Cadet and Junior events; use the date-specific USA Fencing chart or Escrimeur age-group checker.
- Registration is complete only after payment. Events are capped, and paid entries receive priority on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist does not guarantee participation.
- Verify the entry: Confirm name, club, gender, weapon, age category, rating, USA Fencing number, and event. Report errors before competition.
Fees
| Event | Early | Regular | Walk-in / Unpaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | $70 | $80 | $90 |
| Senior / Veteran | $80 | $90 | $100 |
Early: paid by midnight Sunday of the preceding week. Regular: Monday through midnight Saturday of tournament week. Walk-ins are accepted only if space remains.
Door payments: cash, check, Venmo, or Zelle. Checks payable to Escrimeur Fencers Club; Zelle/Venmo to Leon Spector (leon-spector), 732-309-8301.
Cancellation, Credit, and Schedule Changes
Payments are nonrefundable. A future-event credit may be issued only when Escrimeur receives notice by email or SMS at least 24 hours before the event. No credit is issued for a no-show. If Escrimeur cancels an event or changes its time or format, the entrant may request a refund or future-event credit. Escrimeur may adjust times, caps, or formats based on preregistration.
2. Equipment and Competition Day
Personal Equipment Checklist
- Complete, clean, undamaged uniform: fencing jacket, knickers, regulation underarm protector (plastron), knee-high socks, and fencing shoes or clean athletic shoes.
- Properly fitted saber mask with secure rear safety strap; conductive saber jacket (lame); body cord and mask cord.
- FIE-labeled 800N saber glove. No holes; adhesive tape is not an acceptable glove repair.
- Rigid chest protector is mandatory for female fencers and optional for male fencers.
- At least two working sabers, two body cords, and two mask cords. More spares are strongly recommended.
- Y10 and younger: size 0 or size 2 blade. Y8 competition follows current USA Fencing guidance and the published Escrimeur event announcement.
Safety check: Inspect and test all equipment before leaving home. The referee may reject unsafe or nonconforming equipment. Warm up only while wearing regulation protective clothing and equipment.
Arrival and Check-in
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before the posted closing registration time, not the estimated fencing start time.
- Bring accessible proof of current USA Fencing membership. Resolve balances or registration discrepancies at check-in.
- Listen for announcements and monitor strip assignments. Report promptly with all required equipment and remain near the assigned pool or DE strip until released.
- If unable to attend or running late, call or text 732-309-8302 immediately. Admission after check-in closes cannot be guaranteed.
Escrimeur Competition Format
| Round | Bout Length | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Pools: all categories | 5 touches or 3 minutes | Pool results determine DE seeding |
| Y8, Y10, Veteran DE | 10 touches; two 3-minute periods | Saber break at 5 touches or time |
| Y12, Y14, Senior DE | 15 touches; up to three 3-minute periods | Saber break at 8 touches or time |
Standard format: one pool round followed by direct elimination, with 100% promotion. No fence-off is held for third place. The event announcement controls if a different approved format is used.
Scores and Results
- Before signing, verify scores, indicators, cards, and victories. A signature confirms the pool sheet or DE slip.
- Report clerical or posting errors immediately, before the next round is finalized whenever possible.
- Live results and strip assignments may appear at Fencing Time Live; the Bout Committee record controls.
3. On the Strip, Conduct, and Awards
Fencer Responsibilities
- Report ready to fence, with all equipment, when called. Follow the referee's commands and maintain control of the weapon.
- Salute the opponent, referee, and spectators at the beginning and end of every bout.
- A referee's factual judgment, including an action or right-of-way call, is final. A fencer may immediately and respectfully question an incorrect application of a rule before the next touch; the Head Referee decides an appeal.
- Yellow: warning. Red: penalty touch. Black: possible exclusion from the competition or tournament.
Coaches, Parents, and Spectators
- Encourage positively and remain outside the controlled strip area. Coaching is permitted between bouts and during authorized breaks, not during active fencing.
- Do not criticize, confront, touch, or attempt to influence a referee or official. Questions must be calm, brief, and directed through the proper person.
- USA Fencing's Codes of Conduct, FenceSafe Handbook, SafeSport Code, and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies apply throughout the event.
- Bring urgent concerns to the Tournament Director/Bout Committee. Call 911 for immediate danger; use USA Fencing's FenceSafe channel for covered misconduct.
Awards and Escrimeur Cup Points
- Medals: top eight in Y8-Y14; top three in Senior and Veteran events.
- Season points: all participants accumulate Escrimeur Cup points. At the finale, each age-group/gender champion receives the Escrimeur Cup trophy; the top three receive special prizes.
- Participant gifts: commemorative Escrimeur Cup string bag and ribbon.
Venue Courtesy and Liability
The Fields Sports Complex offers free parking, Wi-Fi, a lobby/lounge, snack bar, and vending. Keep fencing bags clear of walkways, supervise children, and follow facility directions. By entering, participants agree to follow USA Fencing and Escrimeur rules, accept the ordinary risks of participation, and authorize necessary medical care for an injury or illness arising during the tournament, consistent with the published event waiver.
Essential Links
- Schedule: escrimeur.com/askfred
- Cup standings: escrimeur.com/points
- Age checker: escrimeur.com/agegroups
- Live results: fencingtimelive.com
- Membership: usafencing.org/membership
- Eligibility: USA Fencing age chart
- Rules: USA Fencing rules
- FenceSafe: USA Fencing reporting
Current September 7, 2026