Rules:September 2009 changes

From AFLwiki, promoting the art and sport of standard fencing in America

During its meetings in September, 2009, the board approved the following rules changes, effective immediately. The PDF version of the rules should be updated by the end of October. In the meanwhile, you can see (and comment upon) the proposed updates to the rules. By looking at the history tab of each article, you can see all of the changes made so far.

Items in green have been added or changed in the draft rules; items in black remain to be written and edited. In the process of implementing these changes in the rules, numerous housekeeping changes are being made to correct minor errors or clarify certain points. None of the final language has been approved yet. A complete list of all changes will be posted when it is finally approved.

All weapons

• Fencers must report to the strip when called with two weapons that are in compliance with the rules.
• Out-of-bounds rules for end- and sidelines are now identical to those of the USFA.
• Bout order is now identical to the USFA, except for pools of 11 or more fencers.
• To prevent confusion with USFA terminology, the classifications have been renamed as follows:
  • Junior classification is now Intermediate
  • Intermediate is now Advanced Intermediate
  • Senior is now Advanced
• We will use the Glicko rating system (modified to take the score into account) in parallel with the named classifications.
  • All AFL competitions since September 1, 2009 shall be used in the calculations
  • All fencers will begin with a rating of 1000 in each weapon, regardless of prior classification.
• Significant changes to the Prep classification
  • The Prep classification is no longer time-based.
  • Fencers can attain a higher classification as before, with the additional path of achieving a Glicko rating of 1500 while also being below a yet-to-be-determined ratings deviation. ** As before, once attained, named classifications do not expire or degrade, regardless of subsequent changes in the Glicko rating
  • First-time AFL fencers with a USFA classification of U will be classified as Prep in that weapon. Any other USFA classification will be classified as Novice.
  • Renewing AFL fencers will retain their previous classifications, including 2008-9 season Preps.
• Fencers are placed by:
  • Foil & sabre: (1) Victories/Bouts Fought, (2) Touches Scored-Touches Received, (3) Touches Received/Bouts Fought (approved August 2008)
  • Epée: (1) Victories/Bouts Fought, (2) Double Defeats/Bouts Fought, (3) Touches Scored-Touches Received

Foil

• Any grip is legal so long as orthopedic grips (and grips with any sort of aid) put the hand in a position with the thumb within 2 cm of the guard. Holding any grip with any aids with the thumb more than 2 cm from the guard would be prohibited.
• The bib is now target in foil, except where the bib is backed with the mesh or frame of the mask.

Epée

• Epée may now be electrically scored using the same equipment that is used for FIE/USFA épée (épée remains one-touch).
• Local competitions may use approved "buzz boxes" (and floor/guard judges) as long as this is announced beforehand (the approved list currently includes Favero buzz boxes).
• The use of sharpened pointes d'arrêt is prohibited at all AFL events. All épées must be covered with a rubber or plastic tip.
• All épée competitions must use a round-robin or pool format throughout—i.e. no direct elimination.
• All épée competitions must use either two or four floor judges unless the entire strip (including run-off and 0.5 m on each side) is grounded.
• A double defeat in épée shall be recorded as either DD1-DD1 (for a double touch) or DD0-DD0 (for time expiring) on the scoresheet. When two or more fencers are tied on victories, the number of double defeats shall be used to break the tie, followed by TS-TR (if needed).
• Any grip is legal so long as orthopedic grips (and grips with any sort of aid) put the hand in a position with the thumb within 2 cm of the guard. Holding any grip with any aids with the thumb more than 2 cm from the guard would be prohibited.

Sabre

No changes.