HITTING WITH GUARDS – BF JOINT COMMITTEE NOTICE

A reminder from the BF Medical, Rules and Safety Committees that using the guard to hit an opponent is not permitted, and the responsibilities of fencers, referees and coaches to prevent and appropriately deal with any incidents.  

BF has recently received several reports of fencers repeatedly hitting their opponents with the guard of their weapon – ‘guarding’.

BF members are reminded that deliberate ‘guarding’ is strictly forbidden, and irrespective of intention it is a breach of the rules (t.96, t.121.2). ‘Guarding’ to mask can also result in concussion, which can be very serious.

Fencers are reminded:

• that they have ‘a duty of care to each of their opponents. In particular this involves fencing in a way that is safe, avoiding hurtful, violent and dangerous actions’ (BF Safety Guidelines). Hitting with the guard (intentional or otherwise) is clearly a breach of this principle and against the basic ethic of our sport, respect for the opponent.
• that they may receive a black card – i.e. exclusion – if the action is deemed violent or vindictive (t.149.1).
• that any blow with the guard or pommel anywhere on the opponent is punishable with yellow card (sabre t.96.3) or a red card (all weapons t.121.2, t.170.2.6).

Referees are reminded

• to apply rigorously rule t.170.2.6, remembering that any blow with the guard or pommel , whether violent or not, requires a red card to be awarded
• that intentional violence justifies an immediate black card.

Coaches are reminded

• to address the issue with their fencers immediately if they see movement patterns developing in fencers (particularly young or less experienced fencers, with poor technique) that result in repeated guard blows, especially to mask, or any other actions that could be unsafe.

BF Safety Guidelines: Every fencer also has a duty of care to each of their opponents. In particular this involves fencing in a way that is safe, avoiding hurtful, violent and dangerous actions (cf. also Rules for Competitions t.121.2). Furthermore, it is the responsibility of every official and coach to ensure that fencers respect this obligation

EVERYONE is reminded that blows to the mask may lead to concussion. ‘If in doubt, sit them out’.        

If someone has been hit with a blow to the mask and is experiencing dizziness, nausea, tiredness, confusion etc. they MUST follow the protocols in BF’s latest concussion guidelines and report the incident here.

BF Medical Committee

BF Rules Committee

BF Safety Committee

Want to keep up to date with the latest news from BF? Subscribe to our weekly summary email – The Fencing Digest – featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.