The complete parent's guide to fencing tournaments in the USA
Welcome to the world of fencing tournaments!
If you’re a parent or athlete new to competitive fencing, the tournament circuit in the U.S. can seem complex — with different age groups, event types, and qualification rules. This guide breaks it all down, helping you understand how fencing tournaments work from local meets to national championships.
Whether your child is stepping onto the strip for the first time or aiming for Summer Nationals, you’ll find clear answers and helpful tips here. With the right knowledge, you can support your fencer with confidence every step of the way. En garde!
The structure of fencing tournaments in the U.S.
Understanding how fencing tournaments are organized is the first step in navigating your child’s competitive journey. In the United States, fencing tournaments are grouped into three main levels:
Local
Regional
National
Each level serves a different purpose in a fencer’s development and offers progressively more competitive opportunities as athletes grow in skill, experience, and ambition.
Let’s break down what each level involves:
Local tournaments: the starting point
Local tournaments are typically hosted by fencing clubs or local USA Fencing divisions. These events are entry-level and a great way for new fencers to get comfortable with competition.
Who competes: Fencers of all ages — Youth (Y8–Y14), teens, college students, and adults.
No qualification required: These events are open to all USA Fencing members who meet age or rating restrictions for the specific event.
Why it matters: Local events are ideal for gaining experience, testing skills in real bouts, and beginning to earn classifications (more on ratings later).
Many local tournaments are listed on AskFRED.net, the go-to website for local and regional fencing events.
Regional tournaments: building skills and earning points
As fencers gain confidence, they may begin to compete in regional circuits. These events are larger, draw athletes from a broader area, and often serve as qualifying steps toward national championships.
There are four main regional circuits, organized by age and competitive level:
RYC (Regional Youth Circuit). For Youth-10, Youth-12, and Youth-14. These are larger youth tournaments within your geographic region.
No prior qualification needed.
Participating can automatically qualify younger fencers (Y10/Y12) for national events like the Youth NAC or Summer Nationals.
Fencers earn regional points, which help with qualifying and seeding.
SYC (Super Youth Circuit). These are national-level youth tournaments open to all eligible fencers but hosted regionally.
Attract higher-level competition and larger pools.
Offer national youth points to the top 40% of finishers.
Help fencers build experience against a broader range of opponents.
RJCC (Regional Junior and Cadet Circuit). For Cadet (U17) and Junior (U20) age groups.
Focused on teenage fencers preparing for higher-level events like Junior Olympics.
Earning regional points at RJCCs is a pathway to qualify for Junior Olympics and the July Challenge.
ROC (Regional Open Circuit). Designed for Senior-level fencers (age 13+) and Veterans (age 40+).
Events are often divided into rating-based categories: Division II (C and under), Division III (D and under), and Division I-A (open to all ratings).
Top finishers earn spots at the Summer Nationals in their respective divisions.
Regional tournaments are an important bridge between local and national competition — they introduce fencers to traveling events, structured qualification paths, and larger competitive fields.
National tournaments: High-level competition and championships
At the national level, tournaments are hosted by USA Fencing and take place throughout the year in major cities. These events are typically larger, more competitive, and often require qualification or rating minimums to enter.
The key national events include:
NAC (North American Cup). Monthly tournaments held from October through April.
Feature different event categories depending on the month: Youth, Cadet, Junior, Division I, II, III, and Veteran.
No regional qualification needed — just meet age and rating criteria.
Fencers can earn national points, which impact rankings and team selections.
Junior Olympics (JOs). Held in February, this is the National Championship for Cadet and Junior fencers.
Requires qualification through regional points, division qualifiers, or national points lists.
USA Fencing National Championships (Summer Nationals). The biggest fencing tournament of the year, held in late June/July.
Includes events for all ages and levels: Y10 to Vet-70+, Div I, II, III, and I-A.
Entry is qualification-based: through regional points, division placement, national rankings, or designated participation.
National events are where the best fencers in the country gather to compete — but they’re still welcoming and well-organized, with strong community support. For families, these events can also mean significant travel, coaching costs, and planning ahead, so it’s wise to talk with your club’s coach about when and if it’s the right time to step onto the national stage.
Working through the fencing development ladder
Each level supports the one above it — and progress through the system varies based on each fencer’s goals, age, and readiness. Some families choose to stay local for a few years, while others jump into the regional and national circuits early. There’s no single path — but understanding how the tournament system is structured helps you and your athlete make informed decisions.
Age divisions and classification categories
Fencing tournaments in the U.S. are organized by both age and competitive level. Understanding how these two systems work will help you figure out where your athlete fits — and what events they’re eligible for.
Age divisions
USA Fencing uses specific age groups so kids and teens compete against similarly aged opponents:
Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14. Youth divisions for fencers under age 15.
Cadet (U17). Typically ages 14–16.
Junior (U20). Typically ages 16–19.
Senior (Open). For ages 13 and up (no upper limit).
Veteran. For fencers age 40+, divided into age brackets (e.g. Vet-40, Vet-50, etc.).
Age is based on how old the fencer is on January 1 of the current fencing season (which runs August through July).
Classification categories
Separate from age, fencers also compete in rating-based divisions, called Divisions I, II, III, and I-A:
Division I. For fencers rated C and above (elite level).
Division II. For C-and-under fencers.
Division III. For D-and-under fencers.
Division I-A. An “open” event at Summer Nationals, qualified via ROC results.
These divisions create fair matchups based on skill level. We’ll explain how fencers earn ratings in the next section.
Together, age and classification determine eligibility across different events, and many tournaments will combine both (e.g. “Y14 Women’s Foil” or “Div II Men’s Saber”).
Ratings, rankings and points: how fencers measure progress
In fencing, competitive progress isn’t just about medals — it’s also tracked through a combination of ratings, rankings, and points. While this can seem confusing at first, these systems help determine a fencer’s experience level, seeding, and eligibility for higher-level events.
Ratings: letter classifications (A through E)
Every competitive fencer starts out Unrated (“U”). At sanctioned tournaments, athletes can earn a rating — a letter from E (entry-level) up to A (elite national/international level).
Ratings are awarded based on placement and event strength. A large, competitive event might award a B or C rating, while a smaller local event may only award an E.
Ratings are weapon-specific and expire after four years unless re-earned.
For example: a fencer might be a C2022 in épée, but still unrated in foil.
These letters matter for seeding (placement in tournament brackets) and for entering rating-restricted events like Division II (C-and-under) or Division III (D-and-under).
Rankings: national points lists
National rankings are based on points, earned by placing well at designated events — typically Super Youth Circuits (SYC), North American Cups (NACs), or national championships.
Top ~40% of finishers (or top 32/64, depending on event size) earn points.
Rankings are age-specific — separate lists exist for Y12, Cadet, Junior, Senior, and Veteran fencers.
A higher ranking means better seeding and can be a qualification path for events like Junior Olympics or Summer Nationals.
It’s possible for a fencer to be unrated but still ranked nationally if they’ve had strong results at large events — and vice versa.
What this all means for athletes and parents
Ratings and rankings are useful tools, not the full story. They track progress and open doors to new events, but they don’t define potential. Focus on consistent improvement — the points will come.
How a fencing tournament works: start to finish
Fencing tournaments may look chaotic from the outside, but most follow a standard structure/ Knowing what to expect helps both athletes and parents stay calm, focused, and prepared.
Here’s a step-by-step look at how a typical fencing tournament runs.
Check-in and equipment control
The day starts with check-in — usually 30 to 60 minutes before the event begins. Your fencer will confirm their presence and receive a pool assignment once the event is seeded.
At larger events like NACs or Summer Nationals, there’s also an equipment check (sometimes called “armory control”). Armorers inspect gear — including masks, body cords, gloves, and lamés — to ensure it meets safety standards. This can happen the day before or early that morning, so plan ahead.
Warm-up and strip preparation
Fencers should allow time to warm up properly: footwork drills, stretching, and ideally a few practice bouts. This helps shake off nerves and get mentally ready. Once pools are called, your fencer should be dressed, stretched, and ready to fence.
Pool rounds
Tournaments begin with round-robin pools — small groups of 5 to 7 fencers who each fence one another in short bouts to 5 touches (or 3 minutes). These are fast-paced and designed to give every fencer multiple bouts.
Pool performance is based on:
Number of victories
Touch differential (touches scored minus touches received)
Total touches scored
Even in losses, every touch counts, so effort in every bout matters. After pools, organizers calculate rankings to seed fencers into the next round.
Seeding and direct elimination (DE)
Based on pool results, all fencers are seeded into a direct elimination bracket — single-elimination style, like March Madness.
In DEs:
Fencers compete in 15-touch bouts (or 10 touches for younger age groups like Y10)
Bouts consist of three 3-minute periods, with 1-minute breaks in between
The loser is eliminated; the winner advances to the next round
These longer, more tactical bouts demand stamina, strategy, and focus. Coaching support is allowed during the one-minute breaks (one coach or credentialed adult on strip).
Medals, placements, and wrap-up
Most local and regional tournaments award medals to the top 4 or 8 finishers. At national events, final placements may also impact rankings or qualification for future events.
Once eliminated, fencers should cool down, stretch, and reflect on their performance. Many athletes keep a fencing journal to track what worked and what they want to improve next time.
What parents should know
Everyone fences a DE bout. Even if your child loses every pool bout, they will still enter the DE bracket.
Expect downtime between rounds. Bring snacks, water, and something to pass the time.
Stay positive and flexible. Emotions can run high, especially after a tough loss.
Focus on effort and improvement. Not just results. Every tournament is part of a long journey.
Preparing for a tournament: a parent's checklist
A little preparation goes a long way toward making tournament day smooth and stress-free — here’s what to double-check before you go:
Registration complete. Signed up via AskFRED (local/regional) or USA Fencing portal (national); double-check event date and check-in time.
USA Fencing membership. Ensure your fencer’s competitive membership is current.
Travel plans booked. For regional/national events: hotel, flights, car rental, directions to venue.
All gear packed. Full uniform (jacket, knickers, glove, socks, underarm protector, chest protector), mask, two working weapons, two body cords, lame and mask cord (for foil/saber).
Gear labeled. Name or initials on key items in case they get misplaced.
Toolkit prepped. Spare body cords, extra blade/parts, tape, screwdriver or hex key.
Coach coordination. Confirm if a club coach will be there, any coaching fees, and warm-up expectations.
Snacks and hydration. Water, sports drinks, light snacks (fruit, granola bars, etc.).
Health and rest. Make sure your fencer is well-rested and has stretched the night before.
Mental prep. Review goals, routines, and focus on learning, not just winning.
If you have any questions, ask your fencing coach! We’re here to help.
The day of the fencing tournament: what to expect
Tournament day can feel overwhelming, especially at first. But with a little planning and the right mindset, it becomes a rewarding part of your fencer’s journey.
Here’s what to expect:
Arrival and warm-up
Aim to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before check-in closes.
This gives time to:
Check in and confirm the event
Complete equipment control (at larger events)
Dress out and warm up (footwork, stretching, light fencing)
During the event
Once the event starts, your fencer will go through pools and direct elimination (DE) rounds. Expect a long day, often with gaps between rounds — especially at regional or national events.
As a parent, your role is support crew:
Make sure your fencer stays hydrated, fueled, and focused
Keep track of gear between rounds
Offer calm encouragement, not technical feedback (leave that to the coach)
Be ready with snacks, water, and a reset button if emotions run high
Handling emotions and nerves
Losses, tough calls, and surprises are all part of competition. Help your athlete process the day by focusing on effort, growth, and specific wins (even small ones). The goal isn’t to be perfect — it’s to keep learning.
After the fencing tournament: reflect, recover, repeat
The end of a tournament is just as important as the start. Whether it was a great day or a tough one, how your fencer processes the experience will shape their growth.
Cool down and recovery
After their last bout, encourage your fencer to stretch, hydrate, and eat something substantial. Especially after longer events or multiple weapons, they may feel mentally and physically drained — that’s normal.
Let them rest that evening, and if needed, take the next day off from physical activity to give their body time to recover.
Reflection and learning
Once emotions have settled (sometimes hours or days later), talk through the experience:
What went well?
What was frustrating?
What’s one thing to focus on improving at practice?
Some fencers keep a fencing training journal with notes after each tournament. This habit can help build self-awareness and turn tough losses into clear next steps.
Celebrate effort, not just outcomes
Whether they medaled or not, your fencer did something brave by stepping onto the strip. Acknowledge the courage it takes to compete, and reinforce the long view: every bout, win or lose, is part of their development.
A healthy post-tournament routine keeps the focus on progress over perfection, so they return to practice motivated — and ready for whatever comes next.
Start your fencing tournament career with Sheridan Fencing Academy
Fencing tournaments can seem intimidating at first, but with the right guidance and support, they become an exciting part of your athlete’s growth — full of challenge, camaraderie, and personal victories. Whether your child dreams of competing nationally or just wants to try their first local event, it all starts with solid fundamentals and a supportive team.
At Sheridan Fencing Academy, we prepare athletes of all ages for competition with expert coaching, a positive culture, and proven success. Ready to begin? Sign up for a trial class and take your first step onto the strip.