Question about procedure

[Dreyman]

I'm going to my first fencing tournament tomorrow, and I'm wondering what kind of procedure I should use when I'm about to fence. E.G. when should I salute, who should I salute, when do I shake hands, if I'm right handed and my opponent is left handed, how should we shake hands? Stuff like that.

If you can think of anything else to add to this it would be appreciated.

[HDG]

Originally Posted by Dreyman

I'm going to my first fencing tournament tomorrow, and I'm wondering what kind of procedure I should use when I'm about to fence. E.G. when should I salute, who should I salute, when do I shake hands, if I'm right handed and my opponent is left handed, how should we shake hands? Stuff like that.

If you can think of anything else to add to this it would be appreciated.

You will salute at the beginning of the bout after the referee has done his or her tests of your equipment (weights, shims, as applicable) and you and your opponent have done your tests (valid, guards, as applicable).

Salute at your on guard line right before you put on your mask and the ref tells you to come on guard (you presumably already know this from practice bouts at your club).

You will salute your opponent and the ref, and if there are any rules sticklers there, the audience.

You might get someone who tells you that you have to salute at 4-4 or 14-14 (la belle); there is no such rule. But, if the ref tells you to, just humor him or her. This one is done mask on.

At the end of the bout, you'll return to your on guard line, repeat the salutes, and shake hands with whichever is the non-weapon hand (regardless of handedness).

At the end of the pool, you will be asked to review the results and sign. You should feel free to ask for help if you need them explained. You will also sign the slip for any direct elimination bouts.

Always read before signing; mistakes are made; scores are reversed. It's your responsibility to catch them BEFORE you sign.

One of the members here, PurpleFencer, has an excellent guide for new competitors.
You can find it here.

[Dreyman]

So, if I have to shake hands with someone who has a right weapon hand (I'm right handed), should I just do an "awkward shake" by turning my hand upside down?

[seven6ty]

Yes. As a fencer, you will now become a master of "awkward handshakes".

PS, You'll scare yourself the first day that you go to shake someone's hand with your left hand instead of your right.

[pinkelephant]

Why on earth have you not been taught all this at your club? I'm taking 9 kids to a competitionn tomorrow (actually it's today now over here), and for two of them it's their first comp - they are fully versed in etiquette, how a pool sheet works etc because we go through it at the club.

[Dreyman]

Originally Posted by pinkelephant

Why on earth have you not been taught all this at your club? I'm taking 9 kids to a competitionn tomorrow (actually it's today now over here), and for two of them it's their first comp - they are fully versed in etiquette, how a pool sheet works etc because we go through it at the club.

I'm not technically in a club. I have an instructor, but I wouldn't call it a club.

[irishfolker]

Let me wish you the best of luck at your tournament. It wasn't mentioned, so I'll emphasize that you will remove your mask before the post-bout salute. Then tuck your mask under your weapon arm and shake your opponent's non-weapon hand with yours. If you are opposite handed it is funny, but you'll get used to it.

Welcome to the fun!!

[Dreyman]

I just came back from the tournament, and I thought I'd announce that I got second place out of 11 people. Thanks for the advice everyone!

[HDG]

Congratulations. I wish you many more successful, fun tournaments.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by pinkelephant

Why on earth have you not been taught all this at your club? I'm taking 9 kids to a competitionn tomorrow (actually it's today now over here), and for two of them it's their first comp - they are fully versed in etiquette, how a pool sheet works etc because we go through it at the club.

Most coaches I know don't tell their kids or parents what to expect....only what to do when actually fencing...that's why i wrote the primer in the first place.

Dreyman....did you read it and did it help??

[D'Artagnan1673]

Originally Posted by seven6ty

Yes. As a fencer, you will now become a master of "awkward handshakes".

PS, You'll scare yourself the first day that you go to shake someone's hand with your left hand instead of your right.

I've done that more times than I can count. I think sometimes I do it intentionally in order to scare them!

Congrats to the OP on placing second!

[Dreyman]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Most coaches I know don't tell their kids or parents what to expect....only what to do when actually fencing...that's why i wrote the primer in the first place.

Dreyman....did you read it and did it help??

Yes, I did read it. It did give me some help on what to expect. Thanks!

[TBean]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Most coaches I know don't tell their kids or parents what to expect....

Really? That seems so odd not to be taught. The etiquette of the sport - for both training and tournaments - is very much a part of the system I fence in.

In open bouting we are expected to salute before we start, after we finish and shake hands. We are taught this from the time we first start group lessons - I remember saluting my instructor without a weapon at the end of class and them shaking my hand. Always a drill partner with salutes and you shake hands with your last partner. It is then second nature at a tournament.

[Dreyman]

Yesterday, when I was fencing, whenever I got a hit on the bib of the mask, it wouldn`t count. I thought in foil, hits on the bib counted. Am I wrong?

[HDG]

Originally Posted by Dreyman

Am I wrong?

You are. It used to count a LONG time ago, and it might count again, but with electric scoring, it will require adding lamé material to the bib.

[Dreyman]

Originally Posted by HDG

You are. It used to count a LONG time ago, and it might count again, but with electric scoring, it will require adding lamé material to the bib.

Thanks for letting me know!

[HDG]

No offense, but it seems like you're getting a little short-changed in your training in terms of important things you're not being told about, and incorrect things that you are being told.