Home Instructors Photo Gallery Links
Fencing Program Tournament Info Reading List Forms and Documents
     
USFA Penalties
(as of 9/06)
   
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    
Using the non-weapon arm or hand *
t.22
O C C
Touching/taking hold of electrical equipment*
t.22
W A A
Covering/Substitution of valid target *
t.22, t.49, t.72
  R R
Crossing the side of the strip to avoid being touched
t.28
C D D
Delaying the Bout
t.31
A    
Placing the weapon on the strip to straighten it
t.46, t.61, t.70/d
R    
Clothing/equipment not working or not conforming; absence of second regulation weapon or bodycord
t.45/1 et 3.b
D    
Bending/dragging weapon point on conductive strip (F,E)
t.46, t.61
     
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, t.75/3
     
Refusal to obey the Referee
t.82, t.84
     
Jostling, disorderly fencing * ; taking off mask before the Referee calls ‘Halt’; undressing on the strip
t.87
     
Unjustified appeal
t.122
     
Abnormal fencing action *
       
Touches with brutality or while falling *
       
Fencer or team member not present upon 1st and then second call. If still not present at 3rd call, Elimination from the competition.        
2nd Group
       
Interruption of bout for claimed injury not confirmed by doctor t.33 R R R
Absence of equipment control mark * t.45/3.a E E E
Dangerous, violent or vindictive action, blow with guard or pommel * t.87 D D D
Deliberate touch not on opponent t.53, t.66      
Absence of name on back, absence of National colors where required t.45      
3rd Group
       
Falsified weapon inspection marks, intentional modification of equipment *
t.45/3.(c), (d)
R B
Fencer disturbing order on the strip (4)
t.82, t.83
E L
Dishonest fencing;(*) refusal to salute before the beginning of the bout (only one fencer).
t.87
D A

C

Offence against publicity code
Publicity Code
  K (1)
Any person not on strip disturbing order
t.82, t.83
1st; Warning (YELLOW CARD) or (4)
2nd Expulsion (3) or (4)
Refusal of one fencer to salute the opponent after final touch scored
t.87
Winner: Annulment of Touch Scored
Loser: Suspension (5)
Changing the order of bouts in a team match, intentionally or unintentionally
t.86
Loss of Match
4th Group
       
Manifest cheating with equipment (2) t.45/3.e B
Offense against sportsmanship (1) or (2) t.87 L
Deliberate brutality (1), refusal of both fencers to salute: before the bout (1); after the final touch scored (5) t.87, t.105 A
Profiting from collusion, favoring an opponent (1) t.88, t.105 C
Doping (2) t.129 K
Fencer equipped with electronic communication equipment permitting him to receive communications during the bout t. 45/3 (f) (1) or (2)  

* 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