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  1. #1
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    Requirements for female fencers

    Recently a female fencer asked me a question that stumped me. It was "In a serious tournament do you have to have an underarm protector to go with the plastic chest protector, or is it okay to have the plastic chest protector by itself?" Not being a female this was not something that had ever come up. But I am sure someone out there knows the answer.

  2. #2
    HDG
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    Chest protector doesn't cover the armpit. Therefore it does not substitute for an underarm protector.

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    Senior Member Array TBean's Avatar
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    Women must have both. They serve different purposes in terms of protection.

    In "non-serious tournaments" or fencing at the club, women and men should always be wearing all protective gear - body armor and plasterons. Accidents don't just happen at "serious tournaments."

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    At foil the underarm protector (known as a plastron in the UK) has to be worn OVER the chest protector (known as many things in the UK), not the other way round.

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    Posting Hound Array Purple Fencer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pinkelephant View Post
    At foil the underarm protector (known as a plastron in the UK) has to be worn OVER the chest protector (known as many things in the UK), not the other way round.
    That's the way most people wear them....the only rational I can think of for requiring it that was would be to minimize the chest plate moving around...wearing the underarm under the chest plate doesn't affect the protective properties of either.

    Epeeboy....the 2 items in question serve different purposes. The chest protector is purely for impact protection....'cause men wrote the rules and female breasts are right in the middle of the target area for all weapons. (Note that cups are not required at domestic tourneys....I guess they figure we've got a spare!). I've also seen men wear the flat ones to protect themselves from hard hits...i have one friend who is protecting his last kidney.

    The underarm protector is a different matter. it's job is to be another layer of material in the way in case a blade breaks. You'll notice that the seams do NOT line up with the seams in the jacket...this is because the seams are weak spots, and you don't want 2 weak spots aligned. if a blade was to penetrate under the armpit, it'll go right to the vitals.

    The underarm is required for all competitors at competitions, as is the chest protector for ladies.
    Need fencing equipment? See me at H.O.M. Fencing Supply

    Going to your first tournament? Read "Choose yer weapon, Laddie (or: Dude, where's my foil?)"

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    I believe the rationale for wearing the chest protector under, rather than over, the plastron is to minimize the tendency of the tip to bounce off the chest protector. To get as much padding over the plate as possible. There has been talk on this board of requiring a neoprene layer over the chest plate to help this problem.
    The spirit is willing, but the fleche is weak.

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    I have to say, I love wearing my chest protector. It makes me feel so invulnerable. And then I get stabbed in the collarbone D:

    But to echo what TBean said, she should wear it all the time. Anything that helps keep injuries to a minimum should always be used, even if they are just bruises.

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    Posting Hound Array Fencergrl's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Heavenguard View Post
    she should wear it all the time.
    Especially when going out on a night on the town... you wouldn't believe the attention you get. Stuffing your bra with socks is for non-fencers!
    Beer, it's whats for dinner! ~ a young snowboarding Canadian
    The meek don't want it! ~ sticker on a rock band's guitar

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    Note that cups are not required at domestic tourneys....I guess they figure we've got a spare!
    Rule is still there, just not checked for.

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    Senior Member Array BrianH's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Heavenguard View Post
    But to echo what TBean said, she should wear it all the time.
    But it is sort of painful hugging a woman who is wearing one; perhaps she could remove it before intimacy?
    And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?
    ~Hamlet

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    Senior Member Array ThatReallyHurt's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BrianH View Post
    But it is sort of painful hugging a woman who is wearing one; perhaps she could remove it before intimacy?
    Or, for that matter, putting gear away and standing behind someone who's taking one off and getting whacked in the back of the head with it.
    Pound for pound, the amoeba is the most vicious animal on earth.

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    Senior Member Array Warrior Princess's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KD5MDK View Post
    Rule is still there, just not checked for.
    It's nowhere in the USFA rules.
    When love bites, be sure to bite back.
    Rule #1 She who hesitates has lost.
    Rule #2 Don't trick yourself into thinking you suck.
    Rule #3 Remember, bad footwork makes coach cry.

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    Senior Member Array InFerrumVeritas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BrianH View Post
    But it is sort of painful hugging a woman who is wearing one; perhaps she could remove it before intimacy?
    And bathing. I would hate to see/smell the results of wearing a chest protector for prolonged periods of time (more than a day) without washing underneath it. Ew.

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    Senior Member Array Warrior Princess's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Heavenguard View Post
    I have to say, I love wearing my chest protector. It makes me feel so invulnerable. And then I get stabbed in the collarbone D:
    Haha. What about the 3rd rib? The first one that isn't protected by the chest protector? I got that broken once.
    When love bites, be sure to bite back.
    Rule #1 She who hesitates has lost.
    Rule #2 Don't trick yourself into thinking you suck.
    Rule #3 Remember, bad footwork makes coach cry.

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    HDG
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    Quote Originally Posted by Warrior Princess View Post
    It's nowhere in the USFA rules.
    You should read more carefully; for example, m.25.4.

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    Quote Originally Posted by HDG View Post
    You should read more carefully; for example, m.25.4.
    At certain levels all rules beginning with t, o or m are invalid.

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    Senior Member Array MyrddinsPrecint's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BrianH View Post
    But it is sort of painful hugging a woman who is wearing one; perhaps she could remove it before intimacy?
    ... Hey, some people are into that.......

    Quote Originally Posted by KD5MDK View Post
    At certain levels all rules beginning with t, o or m are invalid.
    Like at the RPS meets. Undressing on strip is specifically allowed when RPSing.

  18. #18
    Posting Hound Array Fencergrl's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint View Post
    Undressing on strip is specifically allowed when RPSing.
    Ah yes... the whole "is strip a verb or a noun?" issue that so many fencers seem to be confused by.
    Beer, it's whats for dinner! ~ a young snowboarding Canadian
    The meek don't want it! ~ sticker on a rock band's guitar

  19. #19
    Fencing Expert Array edew's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KD5MDK View Post
    Rule is still there, just not checked for.
    Is that a hard rigid plastic in your shorts or are you happy to see me?
    =)=///

  20. #20
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    It's a credit card.

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