2020-2021 Athlete Handbook
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2020-2021 Athlete Handbook USA Fencing 2020-2021 Athlete Handbook USA Fencing 210 USA Cycling Point, Suite 120 Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Phone: 719-866-4511 Fax: 719-325-8998 Website: www.usafencing.org Email: [email protected] National Office Staff Listing: Staff FIE Website: www.fie.org Published: March 2021 1 Acknowledgements REVIEW COMMITTEE In order to ensure accuracy of information and correctness of language and clarity of presentation, the following individuals were members of the review committee: Cody Mattern Athlete Representative Brandon Rochelle Tournament Committee Chair Jennie Salmon Regional Programs Lorrie Marcil Holmes Board of Directors Kris Ekeren CEO Brandon Dyett Sr. Manager, Culture, Sports Performance and Marketing Nicole Jomantas Director of Communications Bob Bodor Director of Membership Services Christine Strong Simmons Sr. Director of Sport Operations Dan Mott Sr. Events Manager Kate Reisinger Sr. Director of Sports Performance Glen Hollingsworth Operations Manager DISTRIBUTION LIST The current membership is notified of the posting and revisions to the current edition of the Athlete Handbook via the USA Fencing website at usafencing.org The Handbook is the property of USA Fencing and is available on the USA Fencing website. About Us/Manuals: usafencing.org Permission is granted for reproduction of any portion of this book. Hard/Bound copy of the Athlete Handbook can be ordered from USA Fencing via email to [email protected] with payment of $50 (includes shipping). Please contact the USA Fencing National Office with any document/link issues: [email protected] Preface: This book is written for fencers, coaches and parents to help them gain an understanding of the competitive and developmental programs of USA Fencing. It contains information that will allow fencers to progress in the sport of fencing to as high a level as they are capable. Lack of familiarity with the information contained herein is not justification for an appeal. When there are modifications to any of the programs described herein, such changes will be posted to the USA Fencing website, About Us/Manuals. The posted Athlete Handbook will be updated and an e-blast (USA Fencing E-Newsletter) will be sent to the membership notifying them of the changes to the Handbook. All National Team 2 changes must have the explicit approval of the national coach or coaches and the Director of Sports Performance. Details on the operations of the organization are described in the latest edition of the USA Fencing Operations Manual available on the USA Fencing website under About Us/Manuals. The Operations Manual explains the competitive opportunities for all members and the manner in which competitions should operate within the tenets of the organization and the sport. The Athlete Handbook and Operations Manual provide fencers, coaches, administrators, and parents the information pertinent to all aspects of USA Fencing programs. Periodically, USA Fencing and the National Weapon Coaches will communicate by email special notices to the membership and/or fencers on the National Point Standings. Fencers must keep the USA Fencing National Office informed of their current email address as this is the primary communication path to fencers and coaches associated with weapon squad programs, team notifications, and updates to the Handbook. It is just as important that fencers keep the National Office updated with respect to one’s current mailing address to ensure receipt of information mailed by USA Fencing and the National Weapons Coaches. USA Fencing will post the latest information on the USA Fencing website. You can contact USA Fencing by email: [email protected] The current Athlete Handbook is the source book for details on elite athlete programs: National Point Standings, team selection and international competitions. Nothing in this Handbook overrides the rules of fencing unless specifically noted. Changes in selection procedures will only be valid if communicated in writing by direct communication to athletes in the top 24 in Senior, top 16 in Junior, top 12 in Cadet and/or top 8 in Youth 14 rolling point standings and posted on the USA Fencing website as well as modified in the Athlete Handbook. Fencers who have questions regarding their opportunity to compete that are not answered by USA Fencing may contact the USOPC Athlete Ombudsman, Kacie Wallace, by telephone at (888) ATHLETE, or by email at [email protected]. ABOUT USA FENCING USA Fencing, formally known as the United States Fencing Association (USA Fencing), is a nonprofit corporation formed under the laws of the State of Colorado. The Internal Revenue Service has recognized the organization as a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization, and contributions qualify as charitable deductions for the donor to the extent permitted by law. Information about such contributions may be obtained from the National Office. USA Fencing is the official governing body for amateur fencing in the United States. The Federation International d’Escrime (FIE), the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and other organizations recognize its exclusive jurisdiction. It is the officially designated National Governing Body (NGB) of fencing by the USOPC. 3 USA Fencing is the sole representative of U.S. Fencing to the FIE – the governing body for all official international fencing competitions including World Fencing Championships and the fencing competitions at the Olympic Games. Any U.S. fencer wishing to participate in official international competitions must have an FIE license secured by USA Fencing and be entered into each event by USA Fencing. The governance of the organization is specified in the latest version of the USA Fencing Bylaws and can be found on the USA Fencing website under About Us/Board of Directors. 4 Table of Contents Acronyms Used in the Athlete Handbook ......................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1 - USA Fencing Membership/International Competitive License ...................................................... 9 1.0 How to Become a USA Fencing Member ........................................................................................ 9 1.1 Age/Citizenship ................................................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Division Affiliation ............................................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 2 - Domestic Competitions ................................................................................................................ 13 2.0 General Definitions ......................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Classifications ................................................................................................................................ 13 2.2 Types of Domestic Competitions ................................................................................................... 16 2.3 Entering Competitions/Tournaments.............................................................................................. 18 2.4 USA Fencing National Tournaments.............................................................................................. 19 2.5 Eligibility to Compete ...................................................................................................................... 20 2.6 General Qualifying Information ...................................................................................................... 23 2.7 Qualifying Competition Protest Process......................................................................................... 27 2.8 Youth Fencing (Y14, Y12, Y10) ..................................................................................................... 27 2.9 Youth Regional Tournaments ........................................................................................................ 28 2.10 Youth National Tournaments ......................................................................................................... 30 2.11 Cadet/Junior Tournaments ............................................................................................................ 32 2.12 Senior/Open Tournaments ............................................................................................................. 36 2.13 Veteran Tournaments .................................................................................................................... 42 2.14 Team Events .................................................................................................................................. 44 2.15 Competition Seeding...................................................................................................................... 46 2.16 National Competition Formats - /add National Epee format .......................................................... 51 2.17 Equipment Requirements for Domestic Tournaments ................................................................... 53 Chapter 3 - Awarding Points ........................................................................................................................... 58 3.1 Point Standings .............................................................................................................................. 58 3.3 Earning Domestic