FAQ
From AFLwiki, promoting the art and sport of standard fencing in America
What is the American Fencing League?
The AFL is a non-profit organization for fencers who wish to enjoy friendly-but-spirited modern fencing competition on local and national levels. The AFL provides rules, maintains a classification system for our members, organizes an annual national competition, and provides training for fencers, teachers, and officials. The AFL is an alternative to the USFA for fencers who are looking for a completely different kind of fencing than what the USFA provides.
What is "standard fencing"?
The weapons used are the standard (i.e. non-electric) foil and sabre and the electric épée (non-electric épée competition may be available on the local level).
For foil and sabre, all points are awarded by a jury—no electrical scoring apparatus is used. The principle of right-of-way (or the priority of touches) is strongly maintained. Touches must be properly made in a manner that is theoretically consistent with the use of a sharp weapon—even though the weapons are blunt and dull.
For épée, competition is similar to USFA épée fencing except that bouts are for a single touch ("first blood") and a double touch results in a defeat for both fencers. Epée bouts are over in a few seconds or quickly turn into nerve-wracking tests of one's ability to handle the paradoxical goal of fencing: to touch without being touched.
The pace of standard fencing, which de-emphasizes pure athletic ability, is somewhat slower than USFA fencing, which makes it an excellent spectator sport—even for people unfamiliar with fencing.
A side benefit of standard foil and sabre fencing is that the equipment is so much less expensive—individual fencers' equipment costs approximately 50% less, and equipment needed to run a tournament costs one-tenth that of electrical equipment.
So, what makes the American Fencing League different from the U.S. Fencing Association?
- Visually-judged foil and sabre competitions (non-electric) and the option for local-level épée to be visually judged
- Right-of-way that is rooted in a theoretically sharp weapon (for foil and sabre)
- One-touch épée rules
- Three-weapon competitions for the generalist, as well as single-weapon competitions for the specialist or newcomer to fencing
- Strict decorum on the fencing strip
- National championships held in January, with additional days of workshops, clinics, and opportunities to fence
- Friendly to both sport and classical fencers
- All events at all levels are mixed gender
What are the primary rules differences between the USFA and the AFL in foil?
- We rely on visual judging instead of a machine.
- The right-of-way rules have nothing to do with footwork or movement and are instead based solely on establishing the line.
What are the primary rules differences between the USFA and the AFL in épée?
- Epée bouts are for one touch.
- A double touch counts as a defeat for both fencers.
- A 0-0 tie due to time expiring is also recorded as a 1-1 double defeat.
- Double defeats are used to break ties on victories, making a double defeat slightly worse than a straight defeat.
- Each fencer can step off the end line once, making for a virtual 28-meter strip.
What are the primary rules differences between the USFA and the AFL in sabre?
- We rely on visual judging instead of a machine.
- The right-of-way rules we use do not use footwork to determine priority.
- The hands are valid targets.
- Crossing the legs is legal, and therefore, so is the flèche.
- Cuts must be delivered with the leading edge of the blade—not the flat.
- Counter-cuts must be delivered with the last one-third of the back edge of the blade (closest to the tip)—not the flat.
- Thrusts must result in a visible bend in the blade.
- Off-target hits stop the action.
Can I compete in the Olympic Games by way of the American Fencing League?
No, not directly. Olympic fencing uses USFA/FIE rules, which are significantly different. USFA/FIE fencing is a different game with different objectives—a game that branched off from standard fencing gradually during the the 1970s and 80s. While there is quite a bit of overlap between the two branches of the sport (particularly in épée), ultimately American fencers who wish to compete in the Olympics will need to fence extensively (to put it mildly) in the USFA and internationally in order to qualify for the Olympics.
Do I need to belong to the American Fencing League in order to compete in AFL tournaments?
Yes. All competitors in AFL tournaments need to be AFL members. Non-members will be able to join at the tournament.
Do I need to belong to the USFA, as well?
There is no requirement to belong to both organizations, and there is also no prohibition by the AFL on being a member of the USFA as well.
How does the classification system work?
The intent of the classification system is mainly to allow lower-level fencers opportunities to compete successfully with their peers. A fencer can always fence above their level (except for certain Advanced-level events), but they can never fence below their level.
The classifications, from lowest to highest, are as follows (classifications are per weapon):
Named classifications
Prep
Restricted to fencers who have not won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in a tournament and who have never had a Glicko rating greater than 1500 in any weapon. Fencers who reach the Intermediate class in one weapon but who are Prep class in another weapon are automatically promoted to Novice in that other weapon.
Novice
A fencer becomes a Novice in a given weapon by achieving a Glicko rating of at least 1500 in one weapon or by winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in a competition (unless that entitles him or her to a higher classification); or by achieving Intermediate or higher classification in any weapon.
Intermediate
A fencer becomes an Intermediate in a given weapon by winning 1st place in a Novice competition; or by winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in an Intermediate competition. There are additional means of promotion—see the rules.
Advanced Intermediate
A fencer becomes an Advanced Intermediate in a given weapon only through competition at higher-level tournaments. See the rules for details.
Advanced
A fencer becomes a Senior in a given weapon only through competition at national-level tournaments. See the rules for details.
Once a fencer achieves a higher classification, he or she may never be classed in a lower category (i.e. AFL classifications do not expire). Classifications are earned only in individual competitions (i.e. team events do not alter a fencer's classification, although a fencer may need a particular classification to compete in a particular team event).
Numeric ratings
Additionally, a numeric rating (known as a Glicko rating after its creator, Dr. Mark Glickman) is used in parallel with the named classification system. All fencers without a Glicko rating start with a rating of 1000 in each weapon. From that point on, every bout in every AFL competition will change the fencer's Glicko rating, with wins resulting in an increase and losses resulting in a decrease. The amount of increase or decrease is dependent upon:
- The final score of the bout, with a 5-0 bout being treated as a full win/loss and a 5-4 bout being treated as 1/15 of a win/loss;
- The Glicko rating of the opponent, with stronger opponents resulting in a larger increase for a win and a smaller decrease for a loss; and
- The ratings deviations of the two fencers, which is a reflection of how frequently the fencer competes, and thus how accurate the Glicko rating is.
After just a couple of tournaments, the Glicko system generates a fairly accurate assessment of the fencer's skill level. As a very rough rule of thumb:
- A fencer with a Glicko rating 200 points higher than the opponent has about a 75% chance of beating that opponent.
- A 400-point Glicko advantage indicates about a 90% chance of winning.
The "cross-pollination" that occurs at national events helps to keep the Glicko ratings of isolated groups of fencers in a fairly close equilibrium
The AFL's Glicko rating system gives the biggest rewards to fencers who compete more often, defeat opponents decisively, and defeat stronger opponents. Not only does every bout affect the rating, but every touch affects the rating, too.
Does my USFA rating transfer to the AFL?
- New AFL members with a current USFA classification will be classified as a Novice in the AFL in that weapon.
- New AFL members who are unclassified in the USFA will be classified as a Prep in the AFL in that weapon.
- All new AFL members start with a Glicko rating of 1000 in each weapon.
Subsequent changes in your USFA rating have no effect on your AFL classification.
Does my AFL classification transfer to the USFA?
No. The two systems are essentially incompatible.
Can my fencing club join the American Fencing League?
Certainly! We always need more fencing clubs. Club membership is inexpensive, allows your fencers to represent you in competition, and gets your club exposure on our website. It is the least expensive publicity you'll find all year (unless it's free!).
However, we strongly encourage fencing clubs to belong to the USFA as well, as the USFA's club liability insurance policy cannot be beaten (the AFL cannot yet offer this benefit to member clubs—but we hope to eventually!).
How do I join the AFL?
Here is more information on joining the American Fencing League.
