ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dear Fencers,

Please note that we will be closed on September 6th.

We will reopen for classes and lessons on Tuesday, September 7th with the fall schedule.

Please keep in mind that all group classes require online registration. 

  • If you do not register online, you might not be admitted to class and will not find out about class changes or cancellations.
  • If you do not have access to a computer, we will register you either by phone or in the MFC office.
  • Please call us at 212-382-2255 or email info@manhattanfencing.com.

VIDEO

FAQs



Please download the USFA Athlete Handbook for the official word on all fencing matters.

The following is a sample of questions answered in the Handbook:

* What are the age requirements?

AGE RULES: For National Tournaments 2009-2010
DV1 - Born in 1996 or Before - A, B or C ranking
DV2 - Born in 1996 or Before - C, D, E or U ranking
DV3 - Born in 1996 or Before - D, E, or U ranking
U20 (Junior) - 1990-1996 
U17 (Cadet) - 1993-1996 
Y14 - 1995-1998 
Y12 - 1997-2000 
Y10 - 1999-2002 
VET (Combined) - Born in 1969 or Before 
 V50 - 9/2/50 - 9/1/60 
V60 - Born Before 9/2/50 

*What documentation do I need for competitions?
USFA membership is required to compete in any USFA sanctioned event. You can call or email the National Office for an application: 719-866-4511 or info@usfencing.org. You may also sign up at most local tournaments in your area. Also, at national tournaments, the fencer must provide proof of age: passport, driver's license, etc.

*What are classifications?
For the purpose of distinguishing between levels of performance and providing an objective scale for the seeding of competitions, fencers are classified nationally on the basis of competitive experience and achievement into the following classifications: A (highest), B, C, D, E, U (Unclassified, lowest). Classifications are written as A08, B06, B05, with the letter indicating the classification and the number indicating the latest year when that classification was earned or re-earned.

*What is a Super Youth Circuit?
The USFA has initiated a series of youth tournaments for the Y14, Y12 and Y10 age categories to provide more competitive opportunities for the younger fencers. There will be 2-3 Super Youth tournaments at which the fencers can earn national points. Youth fencers may participate in one or more Super Youth tournaments, however, only the competition where the fencer earns the most points will be included in the point standings. These competitions are part of the qualification paths for both the Summer Nationals and Youth 10 and 12 events at NACs.

*What are the NACs?
The North American Cup (NAC) Tournaments are a series of National point tournaments organized by the US Fencing Association. USFA competitive members are eligible to enter NAC tournaments if they meet the conditions of the category of that NAC (see eligibility requirements listed with specific events in Chapter 2.11). The NAC tournaments are open to foreign fencers who have an FIE license valid for the current season or can show proof of membership in another fencing federation, and who meet age requirements for specific NAC tournaments.

*How do you qualify for the NAC?
Y14 – no qualifying path
Y12 & Y10: Fencers must fence in at least one Regional Youth or Super Youth Competition in the
current season to be eligible to enter the same category and weapon at the April NAC.

*How do I accumulate national points in the Youth age group?
The number of points earned is determined by placement and type of competition. The Super Youth Circuit competitions will award points to the top 40% of the field regardless of where the cut off occurs, within a pool round or a direct elimination bracket. For all other National point competitions, points will be awarded for placement within the direct elimination bracket in which the top 40% of the competitive field falls to a maximum place of 32nd.

For the three Youth categories, points may be earned by competing at national point competitions for one’s own age category and the next older category. For example, a Y12 fencer can earn points on the Y12 Point Standings at Y12 and Y14 point competitions. Points can also be earned through the Super Youth Circuit (SYC) competitions, where the fencer’s best result, the one in which the fencer earns the most points in his or her age category (or the next older category in the case of Y10 and Y12 fencers) and weapon will count towards his or her total in youth point standings.

For the Youth point standings, the point total is the sum of the best four points earned at the eligible tournaments for that age group. For example, for the Youth 10 point standings, the point total is the sum of the best four points earned at the combination of Youth 10 and Youth 12 competitions at: the North American Cup (NAC) tournament, one SYC, and at the Youth competitions held during the Summer National Championships during the season.