NSWFA Competitions

Page content: Protective equipment : Weapons and other electrical equipment

All NSWFA competitions are fenced using electrical scoring apparatus. In addition, a minimum standard of protective equipment is required.

Competitors who do not have the required equipment will need to hire it from NSW Fencing, or hire/borrow from other sources (e.g. their club, an equipment vendor).

Protective equipment

White fencing breeches and socks

Fencing breeches come down to the knees. Socks must be long, and must stay up. Socks should generally be white, but for team events, fencers may wear socks in the team colours.

For Novice, U/11, U/13 and Schools Fencing Competitions, long pants (e.g. tracksuit pants) may be worn instead of fencing breeches. For all other events, breeches and long socks are mandatory.

Breasplate (women only)

All female fencers, regardless of age or physical development, are required to wear breast protection. The usual choice is a breastplate, although "dingers" (saucer-shaped items that are placed in pockets inside the fencing jacket) alre also permissible.

Underplastron

Worn underneath the white fencing jacket, on the "fencing arm" (ie right arm for right-handed fencers, and left arm for left-handed fencers). Provides extra protection for this region of the body.

White fencing jacket

Glove

The cuff of the glove is worn outside the sleeve of the fencing jacket, to prevent the possibility of the opponent's blade slipping inside the sleeve.

Mask

The mask must have elastic at the back.

Weapons and other electrical equipment

Foil

Electric foil (minimum of 2 foils per person or per team). Under-11 and under-13 competitions are fenced with "mini-foils", sizes 0 through 2. These are identical to full size foils, except that the blade is a little shorter. All other competitions are fenced with full size foils, although Under-13 competitors may use mini-foils if desired.

Foil bodywire (Note that there are different types of bodywire available. Ensure that the plug on the bodywire matches the socket in the guard of the foil.)

Electric foil jacket.

Epee

Electric epee (minimum of 2 epees per person).

Epee bodywire.

Sabre

Electric sabre (minimum of 2 sabres per person or per team)

Sabre bodywire (Note that there are different types of bodywire available. Ensure that the plug on the bodywire matches the socket in the guard of the sabre.)

Electric sabre jacket (Note that even though the jacket has long sleeves, it is worn over the white fencing jacket - it does not replace it.)

Electric sabre gauntlet - either incorporated into the fencing glove (lame on sleeve and no lame on hand, worn over the sabre jacket) or a separate item (lame only, with elastic strap over the thumb, worn over and fully covering the upper portion of a fencing glove which is over the sabre jacket).

Electric sabre mask (Because the sabre target area includes the head, a special mask is required instead of the standard fencing mask).

Mask wire which connects the mask to the lame jacket.