Is a protective cup for men required?

[milstdfarm]

I had someone tell me today that a men's protective cup is required for competition. I had never heard that before. Is that true?

[telkanuru]

Nope.

[JEC]

I had someone tell me today that a men's protective cup is required for competition. I had never heard that before. Is that true?

Only if you value the contents of the cup.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Men's Protective Cup

cup question

[oiuyt]

It's required for both men and women.

Appendix A to the Material Rules. Section 3.2. Paragraph 3.

Protection included in the trousers must cover the abdomen, the two inguinal regions, and the genital organs (by means of a protective cup).

Enforced? Not so much.

I believe NJ High School fencing has such a rule. I would be unsurprised if other scholastic leagues do as well.

-B

[EdGardner]

I can't imagine NOT wearing one.

[FreshPrinceofEWU]

I wear one when I fence epee but not when i'm fencing foil. It has saved me a few times.

[Morale Officer]

Only if you value the contents of the cup.

I think Jr. and the Boys would be happier being protected. I know "my girls" are happier being protected by the hubcaps.
I should note that I've been known to hit low on occasion and once or twice I've caught the edge of a cup...once even hitting the edge of the cup, the guy dropped. I know he was happier having the cup, but by the look on his face when he took his mask off, I know it still hurt.

[telkanuru]

In 7 years of fencing I've never worn one, never been checked to see if I was wearing one, and never been hit in that spot.

[parrythis]

When I used to race sports cars in the SCCA, helmets were, of course, required. But there are helmets and there are helmets. We used to say, "$10 head, $10 helmet." - meaning that if you don't value the contents of your skull, feel free to skimp on the protective covering.

The same is true of your genitals.

Even though I am done creating offspring (yes - we figured out what causes children) I am not interested in the pain that would ensue if I did get hit there. (and I have been) I will always wear one whether it is required or not.

The excuses that are given for not wearing one generally range from lame to absurd. Be a man. Wear a cup.

[Nolano]

Yes, one is technically required, no, nobody ever checks. However, if you don't wear a cup, and you get hit down there, you're not allowed to complain. You may, however, cry.

[ACrimsonRapier]

I've always worn one . . . except one practice. I forgot it at home. Of course, I was hit there within the first two or three touches. I decided immediately after I was done for the day, after fencing 2 minutes, and if I forget my cup now I'll either walk back to my dorm or wont fence. I can't be aggressive without it. You're going to get hit no matter what . . . one noobie counter-attacking and you're a goner. =\ It's like fencing without a mask to me.

It's probably less important for sabre since you're not making stabbing motions, and that area isn't a target.

[CadetVet]

A cup may or may not be required, and may or may not be enforced... but that being said, it is idiotic not to wear one.

Comfort is often the argument, but after about 3-4 practices, you get used to it... getting smacked in the genitals is not, however, something that one easily gets used to.

And there is nothing more embarrassing than writhing on the floor in front of all your fencing friends.

Point being - wear a cup. It's muy macho (and protects your macho).

[Sinestra]

Being female, this isn't really something I've ever had to personally worry about myself. But there have been occasions when one of my fencers on the men's team will have a near miss on the strip, and though it's never quite been a writhing-on-the-strip-crying caliber hit, it seems that they still haven't figured out that--especially in foil, where let's remember, your groin is included in valid target area--something like an athletic cup might help. There's apparently some kind of stigma about which I'm unaware that makes them unwilling to wear one, which I think is intensely moronic.
Really, I have no idea what's going through their heads.

[Piranha]

I'm a woman, but I think you would have to be a crazy man to fence epee without one. It is target, afterall, and for some smaller women their arm extension level is close to that height. I haven't hit too many men there, but it DOES happen.

[oiuyt]

Being female, this isn't really something I've ever had to personally worry about myself.

The rule cited doesn't specify anything about gender. Women are required to protect their genital organs by means of a protective cup just as much as men are.

-B

edit: For reference, I wore a cup for the first ~2.5 years (exclusively epee). I stopped at that point as I felt it negatively impacted my mobility. I haven't worn one for fencing for the past dozen years.

[AndrewH]

Never worn one; don't need it for sabre. I don't know any sabre fencers who wear one.

Now for epee... I would highly recommend it. In fact, Allstar makes an FIE cup which I'm told is comfortable and effective.

[oiuyt]

Now for epee... I would highly recommend it. In fact, Allstar makes an FIE cup which I'm told is comfortable and effective.

What does it mean to be "an FIE cup"?

They make a set of 800N undershorts that can hold a cup. The cup appears to be sold separately. They also sell a women's version (identical pictures on the kindermann website, so probably incorrect for the women).

Anyone know anyone who wears the 800N under-shorts?

-B

[tdwg83]

What does it mean to be "an FIE cup"?

They make a set of 800N undershorts that can hold a cup. The cup appears to be sold separately. They also sell a women's version (identical pictures on the kindermann website, so probably incorrect for the women).

Anyone know anyone who wears the 800N under-shorts?

-B

For those who prefer something more breathable than 800N undershorts:
Under Armour Compression Shorts with Cup Pocket

[Verbify]

There's apparently some kind of stigma about which I'm unaware that makes them unwilling to wear one, which I think is intensely moronic.

While some may have a machismo motivated aversion to them, comfort and movement seem to be the biggest argument against them.

Guys, there's been a lot of innovation in cups made today. They don't have to be the pinching, squashing cup you wore back in Little League. Newer designs allow you (that's ALL of you) to "move" without restriction because they're shaped differently and fit to your body so much better. I wear the Under Armour model with a jock and compression shorts, but a friend who plays Lacrosse swears by the "Nutty Buddy." If you buy the $10 basic cup at Target, you won't move freely. But invest another $20 and there's a world of difference.