USFA? Registration? Equipment? Huh?

[Neinteen]

Can someone like clearly explain ( assume your audience is retarded... ) how to register with USFA.. ( you do register with the right? to fence in their tournaments or something? )...

And how to register for a tournament and like what you need to do and stuff. Like half my foil team is going to one, and half of us don't have USFA cards and stuff yeah. Stuff.

And how do these tournaments go? Like they're pools + DE like always right? Yeah....

And what Kind of equipment is needed? Like not the legit kind? or whatever?

[KD5MDK]

1) How far in the future is the tournament?
You can register online at https://secure2.ersvp.com/USFA/join.htm
However, if your tournament is less than a month out, I'd recommend joining at the tournament. All tournaments ought to accept memberships at the door. You can download the form here:
http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/compon...leinfo/id,802/
If you are under 18 you'll need a parent signature on the tournament waiver too, I imagine.

To register for a tournament, you contact the organizer. If the tournament is listed on www.askfred.net you can simple click the "preregister" link on for that tournament. Otherwise, you may need to call or mail them. Many tournaments also allow you to register at the door.

Tournament format is up to the organizer. In MOST cases it will be 1 round of pools with 100% promotion to DEs, but there are many variances from that.

You will each need:
1 mask that passes inspection and punch test
1 jacket
1 pair knickers or fencing pants. Jeans, windpants, baseball pants and sweats are not acceptable.
1 underarm protector
1 pair socks that cover your legs up to the pants
shoes
glove
if female, a rigid chest protector or pair of breast cups
2 weapons, 2 body cords

if fencing foil, a lame
if fencing sabre, a sabre glove or overglove, lame, sabre mask and 2 head cords. (They usually won't check for the 2nd one)

[OROD]

Purple Fencer has a guide for beginners going to a first tournament. You can find the link in his profile, or more conveniently, here:

http://www.homfencing.com/Prep_Package.pdf

.

[Neinteen]

Ah. thank you!

Will they check for two weapons? Like I'm going with a group, and on average we have like 1.5 weapons lol, so do we each need our own 2 weapons?

And nice guide by purple, thanks for the link! How do I know if it's register on location or accepts USFA registration on site?

And anything special I need for USFA registration? Certificates or ID or anything?

[Hollywood Troy]

You have over 8000 posts and weren't in the USFA yet? How does that happen?

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by Hollywood Troy

You have over 8000 posts and weren't in the USFA yet? How does that happen?

HS Fencing Rocks.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by Neinteen

Ah. thank you!

Will they check for two weapons? Like I'm going with a group, and on average we have like 1.5 weapons lol, so do we each need our own 2 weapons?

Most director don;t check for teh 2nd weapon and cord at the strip...that's the FENCER'S job to have it there.....it's only when you have a weapon fail or break that you discover the joys of a yellow or red card for NOT having your extra stuff at the strip.

And nice guide by purple, thanks for the link! How do I know if it's register on location or accepts USFA registration on site?

no prob...if you can;t register on line, most divisions will have the forms at the event....just make SURE you keep the receipt as proof of registration for future tourneys until your card shows up.

And anything special I need for USFA registration? Certificates or ID or anything?

$50...and keep in mind that EVERYONE renews in July....so if you join in June, you;ll have to pay again a month later.

[remistress]

So about two weapons....are you going locally or to a tournament with weapons check? (Fred sometimes denotes whether there will be weapons check).

Note: I'm not endorsing this by *any* means! You basically have to have two weapons and two body cords present when you arrive strip side. Now these should be working weapons and body cords, otherwise it makes the ref's and rest of the competitors kinda grumpy with you for holding up the bout. However, if there is no weapons check then technically you could appear at the strip with a working weapon and a weapon of ***undetermined functionality***.

Also, having communal weapons (yeah I realize how it sounds) can be doable but dicey. What happens if too many fencers are called to strip simultaneously? What happens if they decide on a whim to double-strip?

Also, unless the organizers are absolutely deplorable, if the tournament is USFA sanctioned then it should have USFA forms available. Anyone know if you apply online on the website prior to the tourney if they will recognize results if you don't receive verification in time for the tournament?

Hope that helps!

[Neinteen]

Thank you very much everyone!

So If I got this right...

I need $50 for USFA Registration ( I'll check with my coach and group to see if it's offered there, to be safe ) and ( entrence fees? are there? (

2 weapons, 2 body cords, regular fencing gear ( nothing like FIE or anything right? and yeah it' s a small local tourney so i don't think so right... )

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by Neinteen

Thank you very much everyone!

So If I got this right...

I need $50 for USFA Registration ( I'll check with my coach and group to see if it's offered there, to be safe ) and ( entrence fees? are there? (

Entry fees are determined by the local organizers/division....they vary.

2 weapons, 2 body cords, regular fencing gear ( nothing like FIE or anything right? and yeah it' s a small local tourney so i don't think so right... )

FIE gear is not required at ANY US competition up to and including Simmer Nationals (with rhe exception of an FIE tourney held on US soil).

My guide lists the MINIMUM gear requirements for USFA comps.

[tchwojko]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

FIE gear is not required at ANY US competition up to and including Simmer Nationals

It evidently gets quite hot in the venue...

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by tchwojko

It evidently gets quite hot in the venue...

Smelly, too (the stench of 1000 fencers in 01...PHEW!!)

[peet]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

$50...and keep in mind that EVERYONE renews in July....so if you join in June, you;ll have to pay again a month later.

Actually, I believe if you register for USFA membership after April, you get the next season too. I'm not sure if the same is true if you register IN April.

-p

[chefencer]

Originally Posted by peet

Actually, I believe if you register for USFA membership after April, you get the next season too. I'm not sure if the same is true if you register IN April.

-p

That is true, but only if you've NEVER been a member before...even over 20 years ago.

[VorpalCat]

Originally Posted by Hollywood Troy

You have over 8000 posts and weren't in the USFA yet? How does that happen?

Mistaking 'quantity' for 'quality'...

[C.I.C.]

Originally Posted by Neinteen

Can someone like clearly explain...

Like half my foil team is going to one,...

Like they're pools + DE...

Like not the legit kind...

Like I'm going with a group, and on average we have like 1.5 weapons...

Good grief, people are actually writing "like" into their sentences now!

The war is over. The Valley Girls have won.

[rcmatthews]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

FIE gear is not required at ANY US competition up to and including Simmer Nationals (with rhe exception of an FIE tourney held on US soil).

Summer, Donna

[TBean]

How old are all you fine children? Are you entering an age-restricted event? If so you may need proof of birth year when you register - drivers liscense or birth certificate.

[KD5MDK]

They'll probably be needing to prove they're 13, anyway.