Fence Dry! Rules - Formats For Competitions

FENCING COMPETITION FORMATS

(b 100)  Competitions registered as Fence Dry! competitions may be fenced in a variety of different formats.  Innovation to increase the enjoyment of the fencers or to meet specific training needs is encouraged.  In determining the format for a competition it is important to consider (1) the length of time available for the competition and (2) the overall objectives of the competition.  Standard formats are described below.  Pools generally offer more fencing for the competitors and offer the best chance of a fencer winning the competition based on overall performance during the event.  Elimination formats depend on the quality of the seeding and offer a quicker competition, but provide relatively little fencing for the participants eliminated early.  Because the format of competition may determine a fencer's strategy for the event, as a general rule the exact method by which the competition will be conducted should be announced to the fencers through the advertisement of the competition and in the initial briefing for the competitors. 

(b 101)  Single Pool:  In a single pool competition, fencers fence every other fencer in the pool.  A single pool is appropriate with a limited number of fencers, typically 4-8, depending on the time available for fencing. 

Number of bouts The number of bouts in a pool is determined by the formula bouts = n x n-1 / 2 where n is the number of fencers.
Seeding Fencers are seeded based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking being seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.
Order of bouts Bout order may be determined by a bout order printed on the score sheet or by use of a computer program for management of pool competitions.  Alternatively the bout order may be determined by pairing fencers in the their seeded order and then in subsequent rounds through the order keeping the number 1 seed in place and rotating the other fencers in order counter-clockwise.  See example (b101-e) below.
Method of operation Each fencer fences every other fencer in the pool.
Placing of fencers The placing of fencers in the pool is determined by (first) the number of victories, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored.

(b 101-e) Example of rotation of bouts in a pool:

First Second Third Fourth Fifth
1 - 2 1 - 4 1 - 6 1 - 5 1 - 3
3 - 4 2 - 6 4 - 5 6 - 3 5 - 2
5 - 6 3 - 5 2 - 3 4 - 2 6 - 4

(b 102)  Pool Unique: A pool unique is a single large pool which may be fenced one or more times through the bout order.  This format is typically used in One Touch Epee competitions.

Number of bouts The number of bouts in a pool is determined by the formula bouts = (n x n-1 / 2) x r where n is the number of fencers and r is the number of rotations through the bout order.
Seeding Fencers are seeded based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking being seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.
Order of bouts Bout order may be determined by a bout order printed on the score sheet or by use of a computer program for management of pool competitions.  Alternatively the bout order may be determined by pairing fencers in the their seeded order and then in subsequent rounds move through the order keeping the number 1 seed in place and rotating the other fencers in order counter-clockwise (see b101-e above). 
Method of operation Each fencer fences every other fencer in the pool in the standard bout order, and then repeats the bout order for the desired number of rotations.
Placing of fencers The placing of fencers in the pool is determined by (first) the number of victories, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored.  In One Touch Epee competitions double hits result in a defeat for both fencers and a touch scored for both fencers.

(b 103)  Multiple Rounds of Pools:  Fencers are divided into a number of pools based upon seeding.  After the first round of pools a portion of the fencers are promoted to the next round of pools or to a final pool.

Number of bouts The number of bouts in each round is equal to the sum of the number of bouts in each pool.  The number of bouts in a pool is determined by the formula bouts = n x n-1 / 2 where n is the number of fencers.
Number of pools The number of pools is determined by the number of fencers with the goal of having pools that are equal in size, and that will allow reasonably rapid completion of the pool round.  Generally pools should not be smaller than 4 (in order to give fencers a reasonable chance of performing to their best) or larger than 7 (because of the time required to complete the pool).
Seeding Initial seeding of fencers is based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.  Fencers will be distributed in sequential order between the pools to ensure pools of relatively equal strength (see b103-e1 example).  Seeding in subsequent rounds is determined by (first) the number of victories divided by the number of bouts, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored.
Order of bouts Bout order may be determined by a bout order printed on the score sheet or by use of a computer program for management of pool competitions.  Alternatively the bout order may be determined by pairing fencers in the their seeded order and then in subsequent rounds through the order keeping the number 1 seed in place and rotating the other fencers in order counter-clockwise (see b101-e above).  
Method of operation The initial pool round establishes placings within each pool.  Fencers are promoted from the pool to the each subsequent round based on the number of fencers required to fill an even number of pools of an equal number of fencers.  The fencers to be promoted may be chosen by either (1) standing within their pool, so that the highest ranking fencers in each pool are promoted, or (2) by comparative ranking based on victories and then indicators for all fencers in the competition.  The method of promotion must be announced before fencing begins.  Traditional practice has been that the final round will have a single pool of six fencers. 
Placing of fencers The placing of fencers in the pool is determined by (first) the number of victories, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored in the final pool.  Placings of fencers not promoted to the final pool will follow those of the fencers in the final pool based on (first) the round in which eliminated, (second) the number of victories divided by the number of bouts, (third) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (fourth) by the number of touches scored in the pool round from which they were not promoted.

(b 103-e1) Example of seeding of 24 fencers in 4 pools - the numbers represent the order in which the fencers were seeded. 

Pool 1 Pool 2 Pool 3 Pool 4
1 2 3 4
8 7 6 5
9 10 11 12
16 15 14 13
17 18 19 20
24 23 22 21

(b 103-e2) Example of placings in multiple rounds for a competition in which there are 11 entries and promotion to the final round is the 6 highest seeded fencers.

First Round Results Second Round Final Result
Pool
1		 Pool
2		 First Seed Victory
%		 Indicators TS Next Seed 2nd Seed Victory
%		 Indicators TS Final  
1 2 1 1.0 20TS-9TR = +11 20 1 1 0.6 23TS-18TR = +5 23 2 2
4 3 2 0.8 24TS-13TR = +11 24 3 3 0.8 23TS-17TR = +6 23 1 1
5 6 3 1.0 25TS-17TR = +8 25 2 2 0.6 22TS-21TR = +1 22 3 3
8 7 4 0.5 16TS-13TR = +3 16 6 5 0.2 18TS-21TR = -3 18 6 6
9 10 5 0.75 17TS-13TR = +4 17 4 6 0.4 18TS-23TR = -5 18 4 4
11 6 0.6 21TS-16TR = +5 21 5 4 0.4 17TS-22TR = -5 17 5 5
7 0.4 21TS-21TR = 0 21 7 7
8 0.0 10TS-20TR = -10 10 10 10
9 0.25 11TS-19TR = -8 11 8 8
10 0.0 13TS-25TR = -12 13 11 11
11 0.2 12TS-24TR = -12 12 9 9

(b 104)  Multiple Round of Pools with No Bouts Repeated:  This format provides the benefit of offering fencers as many bouts as possible, while reducing the time required by eliminating second or third bouts between fencers who have already met.  The format also increases the importance of each bout in the initial pool round, as losses are carried forward as well as victories.

Number of bouts The number of bouts in each round is equal to the sum of the number of bouts in each pool.  The number of bouts in a pool is determined by the formula bouts = n x n-1 / 2 where n is the number of fencers.  In the second and following rounds of pools the number of bouts is reduced by the number of bouts between fencers who had already met each other in the previous rounds. 
Number of pools The number of pools is determined by the number of fencers with the goal of having pools that are equal in size, and that will allow reasonably rapid completion of the pool round.  Pools should generally be of 4 to 7 fencers.
Seeding Initial seeding of fencers is based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.  Fencers will be distributed in sequential order between the pools to ensure pools of relatively equal strength (see b103 example).  Seeding in subsequent rounds is determined by (first) the number of victories divided by the number of bouts, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored.
Order of bouts Bout order in each pool may be determined by a bout order printed on the score sheet or by use of a computer program for management of pool competitions.  Alternatively, the bout order can be determined by pairing fencers in the their seeded order and then in subsequent rounds through the order keeping the number 1 seed in place and rotating the other fencers in order counter-clockwise (see b101-e above).  
Method of operation This format operates on the same basis as the Multiple Rounds of Pools format with the exception that fencers fence an opponent only once in the competition.  The score of that first bout is entered on the score sheet as the score of any and all subsequent bouts between the two fencers in following rounds. 
Placing of fencers The placing of fencers in the pool is determined by (first) the number of victories divided by the number of bouts, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored in the final pool.  Placings of fencers not promoted to the final pool will follow those of the fencers in the final pool based on (first) the round in which eliminated, (second) the number of victories divided by the number of bouts, (third) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (fourth) by the number of touches scored in the pool round from which they were not promoted.

(b 105)  One Round of Pools followed by Direct Elimination:  This is the modern format used in most competitions in amateur competition in the United States.  It uses the pool round to determine the seeding for the direct elimination.

Number of bouts The number of bouts in each round is equal to the sum of the number of bouts in each pool plus the number of bouts for the direct (single) elimination.  The number of bouts in a pool is determined by the formula bouts = n x n-1 / 2 where n is the number of fencers.  The number of bouts in the direct elimination tournament in which places are not fenced off is determined by the formula bouts = n-1 where n is the number of fencers.  If third and fourth place are fenced for the formula is bouts = n.
Number of pools The number of pools is determined by the number of fencers with the goal of having pools that are equal in size, and that will allow reasonably rapid completion of the pool round.  Pools should generally be of 4 to 7 fencers.
Seeding Fencers are seeded for the pool round based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking being seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.  After the pool round fencers are reseeded based on their results in the pool round - in direct elimination seeding is determined by (first) the number of victories divided by the number of bouts, (second) the indicators (the number of touches scored minus the number of touches received), and (third) by the number of touches scored.
Order of bouts Bout order in each pool may be determined by a bout order printed on the score sheet or by use of a computer program for management of pool competitions.  Alternatively, the bout order can be determined by pairing fencers in the their seeded order and then in subsequent rounds through the order keeping the number 1 seed in place and rotating the other fencers in order counter-clockwise (see b101-e above).   In the direct elimination, bouts are fenced by round working in an orderly fashion from the top to the bottom of the order.  The general principle is that the highest seeded fencer fences the lowest seeded fencer, the next highest fences the next lowest, etc.  If the number of fencers does not equal a power of 2, a preliminary round will be required to progress to a round equal to a power of 2.  The number of byes in the initial round is determined by the formula byes = p - n where p is the power of 2 that equals or exceeds the number of fencers and n is the number of fencers  (see b106-e example).  Byes are assigned to the lowest end of the rankings in order, so that the higher seeded fencers do not fence in the preliminary round.
Method of operation In the pool round each fencer fences every other fencer in the pool.  The initial pool round establishes a percentage of victories and indicator for each fencer.  Based on victories and indicators fenecrs are seeded for the direct elimination.  Fencers are distributed between the upper and lower halves of the elimination tree based on seeding, with the objective of the two halves of the tree being of approximately equal difficulty (upper half is assigned fencers 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, etc.; lower half is assigned fencers 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, etc.).  In each half of the tree the general principle of highest seeded fencer fences lowest seeded fencer is followed.  Rounds are held based on powers of 2, with rounds of 128, 64, 32, 16, 8 (quarter-final), 4 (semi-final), and 2 (final).  In each round, fencers who lose are eliminated, and those who win go on to fence in the next round. 
Placing of fencers First and second place are determined by the result of the final round of the direct elimination.  The losers of the semi-final round are either ranked as coequal third, or may fence off for third place.  The losers in earlier rounds are ranked based on their relative seeding in the round in which they are eliminated.

(b 106)  Single Elimination:  Single (or direct) elimination competitions use a tree format for a number of rounds determined by the number of fencers.  Any fencer losing a bout is eliminated.  This provides a rapid competition, but depends on good seeding.

Number of bouts The number of bouts in a single elimination tournament in which places are not fenced off is determined by the formula bouts = n-1 where n is the number of fencers.  If third and fourth place are fenced for the formula is bouts = n.
Number of rounds The number of rounds is equal to the power of 2 that is equal to or exceeds the number of entries.
Seeding Fencers are seeded based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking being seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.
Order of bouts The general principle is that the highest seeded fencer fences the lowest seeded fencer, the next highest fences the next lowest, etc.  If the number of fencers does not equal a power of 2, a preliminary round will be required to progress to a round equal to a power of 2.  The number of byes in the initial round is determined by the formula byes = p - n where p is the power of 2 that equals or exceeds the number of fencers and n is the number of fencers  (see b106-e example).  Byes are assigned to the lowest end of the rankings in order, so that the higher seeded fencers do not fence in the preliminary round.
Method of operation Fencers are distributed between the upper and lower halves of the elimination tree based on seeding, with the objective of the two halves of the tree being of approximately equal difficulty (upper half is assigned fencers 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, etc.; lower half is assigned fencers 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, etc.).  In each half of the tree the general principle of highest seeded fencer fences lowest seeded fencer is followed.  Rounds are held based on powers of 2, with rounds of 128, 64, 32, 16, 8 (quarter-final), 4 (semi-final), and 2 (final).  In each round, fencers who lose are eliminated, and those who win go on to fence in the next round. 
Placing of fencers First and second place are determined by the result of the final round.  The losers of the semi-final round are either ranked as coequal third, or may fence off for third place.  The losers in earlier rounds are ranked based on their relative seeding in the round in which they are eliminated. Although it is possible to fence off all places, this greatly prolongs the competition, and is not recommended.

(b 106-e) Examples of seeding in single elimination

Tournament with 16 fencers (entries equal to a power of 2) Tournament with 11 fencers in which byes are required
1-16
9-8
5-12
13-4
3-14
11-6
7-10
2-15		 1-bye
9-8
5-bye
bye-4
3-bye
11-6
7-10
bye-2

(b 107)  Double Elimination: Double elimination competitions use a tree format for a number of rounds determined by the number of fencers.  Any fencer losing a bout shifts to a loser's bracket and continues to fence in that bracket until suffering a second loss.  This is a longer competition than a single elimination tournament, but reduces the impact of seeding and gives each fencer a guaranteed two bouts. 

Number of bouts The maximum number of bouts in a double elimination tournament is determined by the formula bouts = (n x 2) - 1 where n is the number of fencers.
Number of rounds The number of rounds is equal to the power of 2 that is equal to or exceeds the number of entries for the winner's bracket, plus an equal number of rounds for the loser's bracket. 
Seeding Fencers are seeded based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking being seeded first.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on classification.
Order of bouts The general principle is that the highest seeded fencer fences the lowest seeded fencer, the next highest fences the next lowest, etc.  If the number of fencers does not equal a power of 2, a preliminary round will be required to progress to a round equal to a power of 2.  The number of byes in the initial round is determined by the formula byes = p - n where p is the power of 2 that equals or exceeds the number of fencers and n is the number of fencers  (see b106-e example).  Byes are assigned to the lowest end of the rankings in order, so that the higher seeded fencers do not fence in the preliminary round.
Method of operation Fencers are distributed between the upper and lower halves of the elimination tree based on seeding, with the objective of the two halves of the tree being of approximately equal difficulty (upper half is assigned fencers 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, etc.; lower half is assigned fencers 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, etc.).  In each half of the tree the general principle of highest seeded fencer fences lowest seeded fencer is followed.  Rounds are held based on powers of 2, with rounds of 128, 64, 32, 16, 8 (quarter-final), 4 (semi-final), and 2 (final).  In each round, fencers who lose go to a loser's bracket, and those who win go on to fence in the next round of the winner's bracket.  Fencing in the loser's bracket is conducted in the same way as in the winner's bracket, with fencers who lose a second bout in each round being eliminated.  Fencers who enter the loser's bracket in the second and following rounds should be assigned from the upper half of the tree to the lower half (and vice versa).  This crossing of halves of the elimination tree reduces the probability of fencers meeting each other more than once.  The winner of the loser's bracket fences the winner of the winner's bracket in the final; if the winner's bracket fencer loses, a second bout is fenced to preserve the principle of two losses for elimination.  Operations of double elimination tournaments is complicated, and the use of a tournament management software or a book with predetermined tree structures is recommended.  
Placing of fencers First and second place are determined by the bouts between the winner of the winner's bracket and the winner of the loser's bracket.

(b 108)  Ladder: Ladder competitions may be fenced over a period of time as short as a single competition day or as long as a quarter, or even a year.  Ladders are ideally suited for use as a format to encourage regular practice bouting in a club under as realistic conditions as possible.

Number of bouts The number of bouts is determined by: (1) the time allowed for the competition (the competition ends after 2 hours), or (2) a maximum total number of bouts (for example, the competition ends when the total number of bouts fenced equals 20), or (3) a maximum number of bouts per fencer (for example, each fencer can fence 10 bouts).
Seeding Fencers are seeded based on their current Fence Dry! rankings with the highest ranking seeded last.  If rankings are equal, seeding is based on reversed classification.  The guiding principle is that the better fencers should be seeded lower on the ladder to ensure that fencers do not stagnate at their starting positions.
Order of bouts Bout order is determined by challenge.  Initial order of challenges may be determined by drawing lots; after that bouts are fenced are based on the order of the challenges made. 
Method of operation Fencers may challenge two places above their current seeded position.  Bouts are fenced in the order of challenges.  If the fencer in the higher seeded position wins he or she retains their position, but if he or she loses the challenger takes the place on the ladder and the former place holders below are demoted one position.  This competition may be done in a single day format, or extended over time (for example, a three month quarterly ladder).
Placing of fencers The placing of fencers is determined by the final order of the ladder at the end of the competition.

(b 109)  Challenge Matches:  Challenge matches are encounters between two fencers for the record. 

Number of bouts Challenge matches are fenced between 2 fencers, and may be for a single bout or for a set number of bouts (for example, for the best of 3 bouts).
Number of pools Not applicable.
Seeding Not applicable.
Order of bouts Not applicable.
Method of operation A challenge match between two fencers is fenced as a normal bout for the agreed upon number of hits.  If a single bout is fenced in foil, epee, or sabre, a 15 touch bout is recommended.  If the bout is a three weapon bout, either 11 or 15 touch format is appropriate.  If the match is to be determined by a series of bouts, 5 touch bouts are appropriate.
Placing of fencers The fencer winning the bout, or the majority of bouts if more than one is fenced for, is the winner.  The fencer who loses is the loser.

(b 110)  Team Matches by Bouts:  Team matches fought as a series of individual bouts is an older approach to team matches that has generally been superseded by the relay system.  It is closer in format to pool fencing, and offers a simpler method of determining victory.

Number of bouts The number of bouts depends on the number of fencers in each team.  The common format is a team composed of 3 fencers, plus 1 substitute.  Each fencer fences the 3 fencers on the other team, for a total of 9 bouts.
Number of rotations Matches are fenced as three rotations.
Seeding Team captains select the seeding for their team members.  Prior to the start of fencing the captains draw lots or flip a coin to determine which team has the choice of the first or second 3 positions in the bout order. 
Order of bouts Bouts are fenced in the order: 1-4, 2-5, 3-6, 1-5, 2-6, 3-4, 1-6, 2-4, 3-5.
Method of operation Fencers fence the members of the opposing team following the bout order.  Each bout is a standard 5 touch bout (or could be a 1 touch epee bout), with the winner being determined by which fencer first scores 5 touches.  The score of the match is the number of bouts won by each team.
Placing of fencers The team winning the majority of the individual bouts is the winner; the team winning a  minority of the bouts is the loser.

(b 111)  Team Matches by Relay: The relay system is the current system for team matches used in amateur competition under the Federation International d'Escrime rules.  Relay competitions have significantly different dynamics from those fenced as discrete bouts.

Number of bouts The number of bouts depends on the number of fencers in each team.  The common format is a team composed of 3 fencers, plus 1 substitute.  Each fencer fences the 3 fencers on the other team, for a total of 9 bouts.
Number of rotations Matches are fenced as three rotations.
Seeding Team captains select the seeding for their team members.  Prior to the start of fencing the captains draw lots or flip a coin to determine which team has the choice of the first or second 3 positions in the bout order. 
Order of bouts Bouts are fenced in the order: 3-6, 1-5, 2-4, 1-6, 3-4, 2-5, 1-4, 2-6, 3-5.
Method of operation Fencers fence the members of the opposing team following the bout order.  Each bout ends at a multiple of 5 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40) to a maximum score of 45.  The actual number of touches scored in a bout is variable, because a fencer can fence until the multiple of 5 is reached by either fencer or time runs out.  This allows for fencers to score additional touches beyond 5 if their team is behind at the start of the bout.  The score of the match is the number of the number of touches scored by each team.  The score in each bout is expressed as the current number of touches by the teams.
Placing of fencers The team scoring the most touches is the winner; the team scoring fewer touches is the loser.

(b112)  Three Weapon Team Matches:  The Three Weapon Team Match provides an opportunity for competition between teams that represent the full scope of fencing. 

Number of bouts A three weapon match consists of 1 bout each of foil, epee (1 touch or 5 touch), and sabre.
Number of rotations A single round is fenced with fencers only meeting the opponent in a single weapon.
Seeding Not applicable.
Order of bouts Two options exist.  Bouts can be fenced in a set order determined by the organizers, usually in order: foil, epee, and sabre. Alternatively, prior to the start of fencing the captains draw lots or flip a coin to determine which team has the choice of the order of the bouts. 
Method of operation The match is fenced as a series of 3 individual bouts.  The format is the best of 11 or 15 touches; therefore the match is won when one team reaches 6 or 8 touches, and can be halted at that time.  However, if the match is part of a team competition, fencing can be continued to determine indicators for placement.
Placing of fencers The team winning the majority of the individual bouts is the winner; the team winning a  minority of the bouts is the loser.