Requirements for female fencers

[epeeboy]

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.

[HDG]

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

[TBean]

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."

[pinkelephant]

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.

[Purple Fencer]

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.

[irishfolker]

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.

[Heavenguard]

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.

[Fencergrl]

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!

[KD5MDK]

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.

[BrianH]

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?

[ThatReallyHurt]

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.

[Warrior Princess]

Rule is still there, just not checked for.

It's nowhere in the USFA rules.

[InFerrumVeritas]

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.

[Warrior Princess]

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.

[HDG]

It's nowhere in the USFA rules.

You should read more carefully; for example, m.25.4.

[KD5MDK]

You should read more carefully; for example, m.25.4.

At certain levels all rules beginning with t, o or m are invalid.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

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.......

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.

[Fencergrl]

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.

[edew]

Rule is still there, just not checked for.

Is that a hard rigid plastic in your shorts or are you happy to see me?

[KD5MDK]

It's a credit card.