Tournament Rules and Requirements

Full tournament rules

Rules for every tournament can be found here: Click here

Equipment Safety Requirements

Minimum Equipment Safety Requirements

All equipment will be checked when a fencer registers on the day for their tournaments. No fencer shall be allowed to participate until all of their gear has been inspected and passed.

Participants are encouraged to contact the tournament organizers ahead of time if they have any questions regarding equipment. There may be limited equipment available the day of the tournament for participants to borrow. Some equipment may also be available for purchase on the day of the tournament.

The following requirements apply for every tournament at SERFO:

  • Fencing mask that is not deformed, rusted, or otherwise compromised

  • Rigid gorget that covers the full front of the throat

  • 350N-rated jacket appropriate to the weapon set

  • Close-toed shoes

  • Rigid groin protection for fencers with external genitalia

  • All skin must be covered – no gaps between gear and clothing

  • No modifications that compromise gear integrity, at bullpen staff discretion

  • Rigid chest protection is STRONGLY recommended for all fencers, but not required

  • The Conventional Rapier tournament has the following additional requirements:

    • Tear-resistant gloves

    • A fencing rapier with a blade between 35 and 45 inches in length from crossbar to tip

    • A blunted tip cover affixed to the rapier

  • The First Blood Rapier tournament has the following additional requirements:

    • Padded back-of-head protection

    • Padded gloves

    • Rigid elbow and knee protection

    • A fencing rapier with a blade between 35 and 45 inches in length from crossbar to tip

    • A fencing dagger with a blade no longer than 18 inches (Note: Flexi daggers are not allowed)

    • Blunted tip covers affixed to both rapier and dagger

  • Longsword tournaments have the following additional requirements

    • Padded back-of-head protection

    • Padded gloves with a rigid back, such as SPES heavy clamshells, HF Armory Black Knights, or Gabriel five-finger gloves. Sparring Gloves are also acceptable.

    • Forearm protection or gloves with long cuffs that cover a sufficient portion of the forearm

    • Rigid elbow and knee protection

    • Rigid shin protection that covers from the top of the shoe to the bottom of the knee guard with minimal gap

    • A feder-style longsword, including schiltless styles such as the Sigi King, that either has a spatulated tip or has been appropriately covered (e.g., rolled or non-spatulated tips must include additional tip covering). We reserve the right to re-tip swords at gear check.

  • The Sword and Buckler tournament has the following additional requirements

    • Padded back-of-head protection

    • Sufficiently padded gloves, such as lacrosse gloves or similar

    • Forearm protection or gloves with long cuffs that cover a sufficient portion of the forearm

    • Rigid elbow and knee protection

    • Rigid shin protection that covers from the top of the shoe to the bottom of the knee guard with minimal gap

    • A fencing arming sword or side sword, or a messer with similar flex; the blade must be no longer than 38 inches

    • A buckler or targa no wider than 16 inches

  • Adding ornamentation to gear is allowed, but all parts of a fencer’s gear are valid targets

  • Gear that does not fit these requirements may be approved at the organizer’s discretion.

  • In the case of equipment malfunction or failure, the fencer will be allowed two minutes to fix or replace their gear. If the gear cannot be fixed in that time, the fencer forfeits the match, but may continue in the tournament once their gear is repaired.