Is a protective cup for men required?

[spiff]

So far, I haven't been able to find anything that specifically says that cups are required. I've been told in class that they are not required, but recommended. Unless someone can find something specific in the rules, I would just assume that it is optional. I've never been asked by an official to check that I have a cup on. But even if it is optional, I would recommend wearing one. Not worth it. But that's just my opinion.

[oiuyt]

But what I am seeing on the board and what I hear in the clubs is that the rule exists, but in not enforced, except for women's breasts... Possibly because they are the ones that can be discretely checked in a family environment?

(The preceding comment was made in honest spirit of the thread and not intended to be deemed humorous by anyone, anywhere, at any time.)

The chest protector(s) for women is a completely separate rule. It's very clear that it's a rule.

The genital protection (which doesn't specify gender) is in an appendix and not explicitly referred to by any rule. It may or may not be an enforceable rule, depending on interpretation. In any case it is not enforced (for either gender). Checking (family environment or not) would not be difficult, as mentioned further up in the thread.

Some scholastic leagues have separately enacted a rule requiring cups for male fencers.

-B

[oiuyt]

Unless someone can find something specific in the rules, I would just assume that it is optional.

Oh, if only someone had cited a particular section in the rulebook towards the beginning of the thread.

-B

[Inquartata]

Frankly this is all ABSURD. I believe in adaptation. I don't wear a cup in practice so that they'll become tougher. The light wacks and pokes they get during the weekdays only serves to make them stronger for the tournament situations.

The calluses and thick skin that develops from training makes them impervious to puncture and hard hits.

Wusses

I look forward to watching you fence barefoot, as you also no doubt do.

[Inquartata]

The genital protection (which doesn't specify gender) is in an appendix and not explicitly referred to by any rule. It may or may not be an enforceable rule, depending on interpretation.

So...what is the likelihood that things included in a rulebook are not actually intended to be...you know...rules?

[MyrddinsPrecint]

So...what is the likelihood that things included in a rulebook are not actually intended to be...you know...rules?

Since when did you think that intention trumped actual execution?

[Inquartata]

It has naught to do with "intention". By definition, if it's in a rulebook...a book of rules...then...

[Lady Quindecim]

'...then...' What? Then, what, Inq? The suspense is driving me NUTS!
#The Purple 8 Ball says: It's possible
Never mind.

[parrythis]

Are you one of those people that believes that not punch testing your mask every 20 minutes is a surefire trip to a blade in the eye, too?

No. I'm a person that believes that past events are no guarantee of how the future will unfold.

[Inquartata]

'...then...' What? Then, what, Inq? The suspense is driving me NUTS!

That can't be a very long trip.

[BenTheEMOP]

Now, I can certainly see penetrating groin injuries from broken blades as a potential problem if they occur, however: 1. Now we're moving into the realm of the astronomically unlikely 2. A cup really isn't going to protect your entire groin. I would be much more worried about puncturing the femoral artery than losing a testicle.

I saw a guy die from a groin injury. He bled to death from his femoral artery. A little piece of plastic covering his balls (for all I know he was wearing one) wasn't going to prevent it.

Just to clarify -- that wasn't a fencing injury, was it?

[erooMynohtnA]

Correct