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USFA Penalties
(as of 9/08)
   
OFFENSE ARTICLE PENALTIES
1st Group
 
1st
2nd
3rd+
Leaving the strip without permission
t.18.3
Y R R
Simple Corps à corps (foil and sabre) *
t.20
E E E
Corps à corps to avoid a touch *
t.20, t.63
L D D
Turning the back to the opponent *
t.21
L    
Covering/Substitution of valid target *
t.22, t.49, t.72
O C C
Touching/taking hold of electrical equipment *
t.22
W A A
Crossing the side of the strip to avoid being touched
t.28
  R R
Delaying the Bout
t.31
C D D
Clothing/equipment not working or not conforming; absence of second regulation weapon or bodycord
t.45.1 & 3.b
A    
Placing the weapon on the strip to straighten it
t.46, t.61, t.70.d
R    
Bending/dragging weapon point on conductive strip (F,E)
t.46, t.61
D    
Grounding the weapon on the metallic vest (F) *
t.53
     
In Saber, touch scored with the guard *; any forward movement crossing the legs or feet *
t.70.a, t.75.b.3
     
Refusal to obey the Referee
t.82, t.84
     
Hair not conforming t.86      
Jostling, disorderly fencing * ; taking off mask before the Referee calls ‘Halt’; undressing on the strip
t.86, t.87
     
Abnormal fencing action *; touches with brutality or made during or after a fall *
t.87
     
Non-combativity
t.87      
Unjustified appeal
t.122      
Fencer or team member not present upon 1st and then second call. If still not present at 3rd call, Elimination from the competition. t.86     3rd call; Elimination
2nd Group
       
Using the non-weapon arm or hand * t.22 R R R
Interruption of bout for claimed injury/cramp not confirmed by doctor t.33 E E E
Absence of equipment control mark * t.45.3.a D D D
Absence of name on back, absence of National colors where required t.45      
Deliberate touch not on opponent t.53, t.66      
Dangerous, violent or vindictive action, blow with guard or pommel * t.87, t.103, t.105      
3rd Group
       
Fencer disturbing order on the strip (4)
t.82, t.83, t.96
R B
L
Dishonest fencing *
t.87
E A
Offence against publicity code
Publicity Code
D C
K (1)
Any person not on strip disturbing order
t.82, t.83, t.96.c, t.118
1st; Warning (YELLOW CARD) or (4)
2nd Expulsion (3) or (4)
4th Group
       
Fencer equipped with electronic communication equipment permitting him to receive communications during the bout t.43, t.44, t.45.3.f (1) or (2) B
Falsified weapon inspection marks, intentional modification of equipment t.45.3.c & d L
Manifest cheating with equipment (2) t.45.3.e A
Refusal of a fencer to fence another competitor (individual or team) properly entered t.85 C
Offense against sportsmanship (1) or (2) t.87, t.105 K
Refusal of fencer to salute opponent, the referee and the audience at the beginning or at the end of the bout t.87  
Profiting from collusion, favoring an opponent (1) t.88, t.105  
Deliberate brutality (1) t.105  
Doping (2) t.129  

* Annulment of any touch scored by the fencer at fault.

Article numbers refer to the USFA rulebook available on our Documents Page,
or from the USFA website: http://www.usfencing.org/

Yellow Card = Warning (valid for bout, whether one or several encounters).
Red Card = Penalty touch. Black Card = Exclusion or expulsion.

(1) Exclusion from competition. (2) Exclusion from whole tournament.
(3) Expulsion from competition venue. (4) In serious cases, Referee may exclude/expel
immediately. (5) Suspension for two competitions. (6) Disqualification.

If a fencer commits an offence in the First Group after having been penalized with a
Red Card, for whatever reason, he or she receives a further Red Card. A fencer only
receives a Black Card in the Third Group if he or she previously committed an offence in
this Third Group (demonstrated by a Red Card).

 

A pdf version of this page can be downloaded from Forms and Documents