Fence Dry! Rules - Lancet Fencing
Note: These rules for Lancet Fencing are based upon the original
rules published by Phil Karnezis and used at the RedStar Fencing Club of
Chicago. The Fence Dry! rules are
modified to simplify and clarify the rules, to bring terminology in line with
fencing terminology, and to insure the safety of participants.
Note that these rules do not address every eventuality; although Lancet
Fencing differs from the current format of competitive fencing, the conduct of
fencing should be guided by the spirit and the concepts of the current rules of
fencing.
Structure of
Competition
(s 001) The basic
element of competition between two fencers is the bout.
Each bout consists of 1 or more Sets.
The fencer winning the majority of the sets possible in the bout wins the
bout. (see rule s 052)
(s 001.b) Pool Bouts consist of 1 set.
(s 001.c) Direct Elimination Bouts are determined by the
best 4 of 7 sets.
(s 002) A set consists of a maximum of
3 touches. The fencer first scoring
2 touches wins the set. (see rule s 053)
The Target
(s 011) The entire body is target.
This target area is divided into three regions:
(s 011.a) Priority target – the torso and mask.
(s 011.b) Stopping
hit – the weapon arm and mask.
(s 011.c) Non-priority target – the arms and legs.
Fencers’ Weapons
and Equipment
(s 021) Uniforms, masks, gloves, underarm protectors, chest
protectors, knickers, stockings, etc. will meet the requirements of the current
edition of the rules of USA Fencing.
Full uniforms are required.
(s 022) Dry epees will be used. Epees will be equipped with either a French or Italian grip.
The Field of Play
(s 031) The piste shall be a minimum of
32 feet in length and 15 feet in width.
The surface of the piste may be uneven to simulate combat on the dueling
terrain. Fencers are cautioned to
be conscious of differences in the height of the surface and to govern their
footwork accordingly. The piste
will have Set Entry Lines 2 meters wide on its opposite outside short edges, and
En Garde Lines one meter in length, and centered 2 meters apart on the long axis
of the piste.
Procedures of the
Bout
(s 041) At the start of a Lancet bout, the fencers are
positioned outside the piste at the Start Entry Lines.
On the command “fence,” the fencers enter the piste and begin fencing.
They may move freely within the boundaries of the piste, and may use any
technique that is safely and fairly executed to attempt to score with the point
of the weapon.
(s 042.b) Subsequent – the period of fencing time
following the first tempo (or the second tempo).
Hits which land in the subsequent period are within a window of
opportunity and may be scored as a hit, unless the first hit was a stopping hit.
(s 042.c) Late – the period of fencing time following
the second tempo (or the third tempo).
In general hits arriving in the late period are not scored.
(s 043.a) Simultaneous Hits – hits which arrive in the
same tempo are simultaneous hits.
(s 043.b) Singular hits – any hit which is not
simultaneous or is followed by a hit in the subsequent period.
(s 043) When a phrase beings the director will wait
until the Subsequent period has passed to call a halt.
(s 044) When the director calls a halt, the fencers
shall stop fencing and remain in the place in which they were standing at the
halt. If the director awards a
touch the fencers return to the en garde line for touches which do not complete
a set, or to the Set Entry Line if the touch ends the set.
If no touch is awarded the fencers continue the bout from their relative
positions at the time of the halt after taking distance from the center of the
action.
(s 045) Normal physical contact common to epee fencing
is permitted as long as it is in an attempt to defend against a thrust or to
create an opportunity for a thrust. Kicking,
tripping, and striking with the guard are prohibited.
Grasping the blade is permitted for one tempo. Redirecting the blade with
the unarmed hand, or use of other parts of the body to redirect the blade is
permitted, with the exception that the blade may not be kicked. (see rule s 060)
The Hit
(s 051) The hit must clearly arrive on the target such that the blade bends in such a way to indicate that the point would have penetrated the opponent’s clothing and person and caused injury should the point be sharp. No minimum bend is required, but the arrest must be clear and definite.
(s 052.c) Simultaneous Priority hits – both fencers are
hit.
(s 052.g) Stopping Hits – first hits to a stopping
target are awarded the touch.
Subsequent hits are disregarded.
(s 053) If the first hits of the set result in a double
hit with both fencers touched, the score in the set is 1-1.
A second double hit results in both fencers receiving a hit, with the
score being advanced to 2-2. In
this case a double defeat is scored.
If double defeats make it impossible for either fencer to win a majority
of the sets in a bout, the fencer winning the most sets will be the winner of
the bout.
Penalities
(s 060) The following table indicates penalties unique
to Lancet fencing. Offenses against
order or sportsmanship should be penalized in accordance with the standard
penalties of amateur fencing.
| Offense | First | Second |
| Deliberate attempt to knock down the opponent |
Red | Black |
| Kicking and tripping |
Red | Black |
| Grasping the blade for more than one tempo |
Red | Red |
| Striking with the guard |
Yellow | Red |
| Crossing the boundaries with both feet | Red | Red |
| Kicking the blade |
Red | Black |
Officiating the Bout
(s 080) Four judges and a director will compose the jury
for Lancet bouts. The referee shall move about the edges of the field of
play as appropriate to maintain a clear view of the combat. One judge will
be stationed at each corner of the field of play and may move as needed from
that location to maintain a clear view of the combat, up to half of the distance
to the neighboring corner in each direction.