Foil Mask Rules for 2011-2012 Fencing Season

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  Worried Dad, July 18, 2011 @ 5:15 pm

  I see all kinds of safety issues with the bib being target, we will see.
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  OROD, July 18, 2011 @ 7:01 pm

  So what if a few kids get impaled through the neck?  Isnt it much better to discourage all the ducking started by the last round of rule changes?  I mean, what, do you think you can just GET RID of rules?  Hell no, you need to constantly make new ones to counteract the unintended consequences of the old set of rules.  [/sarcasm]
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  J T S, July 22, 2011 @ 11:37 pm

  This is a strategic mistake on the part of the fencing community; opening up the neck area as a target just lends itself to a potential tragedy.  Humans are adaptive and fencers will find ways to adjust their style to take advantage of this additional target area. Already fencers have developed styles that strike the lame on an “uplift” from the front foot. With the foil extended and forcing itself upward, it seems reasonable to suggest that, at some point, in some competition, somewhere, a fencer will be stabbed in the throat suffering potentially fatal injuries.  This mistake comes on the heels of the last mistake: the “Darth Vader” helmet.  Instead of this dangerous move to expand the target area, the more impactful move would have been to place a target on the foil fencers forward, or leading, arm. This move would greatly reduce “covering” (which is a common practice) and have the same effect of expanding target area.  When the first fencer is “cut down” by this inane ruling of targeting the neck area, I hope to see those who approved this nonsense in front of our judicial system taking responsibility for their actions.
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  Jo shmo, July 27, 2011 @ 6:26 pm

  blue gauntlet has 1000 newton bibs
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  David Minor, July 29, 2011 @ 4:40 pm

  One would think that what you describe would have already taken place in epee fencing, where the bib has always been target and the weapon is stiffer than the foil. In fact, shots do on rare occasion find there way under the bib (I’ve taken one myself) and am still here to comment on the forum.
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  J T S, July 29, 2011 @ 7:51 pm

  So.. since you survived you support the rule? 
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  Mike, August 16, 2011 @ 6:49 pm

  I disagree, epee fencing has an entirely different dynamic of movement. The bent-arm, up-and-under, thrust at the end of a short arm, compound attack is never seen in epee but sadly common in foil, especially women’s foil and especially at lower skill levels.
  The presence of off target surface area keep foil fencers’ eyes open and makes them endeavor to be both accurate AND powerful. The easier it is to hit valid target area the less finesse will be required.
  If there is a good chance that hitting hard with eyes closed will score a point, we will do it more. That is when people MIGHT get hurt, but it is when people will definitely start to fence more ugly.

  Every year the FIE and it’s lapdog the USFA change the rules to make the sport more spectator friendly and when TV contracts don’t roll in they change them back. When are they going to stop trying to expand their market and start worrying about the customers they already have? Every time some new annoying nonsensical rule get’s passed down some fencers leave.

  A bird in the hand anyone..?
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  Billcm48, September 29, 2011 @ 6:18 pm

  Sorry but being unable not to fence my 2 favorite weapons in 15 years might let me give you entouists insite. problem is simple to solve. Tuck the bibs inside and extend collar for the neck target in breast target. Simple inexpensive, and no polarity necessary in face mask, which will keep electrical engineers out of this wonderful sport.

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