Work through these steps with your coach. This guide is for épée fencers entering domestic events. The organizer’s current instructions and USA Fencing rules govern each tournament.
1. Choose an event with your coach
Start with an event suited to your experience. Check the weapon, age category, rating restrictions, and any qualification requirements. Your class age group is not necessarily your competition category: use the season’s eligibility rules. Confirm the event fits your training goals before paying.
2. Set up USA Fencing membership
Visit USA Fencing membership and create or renew the fencer’s account. For a child, enter the child as the athlete, with the parent or guardian managing the account. Check the birth date, contact details, club affiliation, and membership expiration.
Access membership permits local sanctioned tournaments and divisional qualifiers. Regional and national events require Competitive membership or another eligible category. Complete age verification in the membership account before registering for regional or national events. Save your membership number and digital card. USA Fencing membership is separate from Allez’s club membership.
Official membership and age-verification requirements
3. Register for the tournament
Follow the registration link on the event listing. Local events commonly use AskFRED; use the organizer’s designated platform for regional and national events.
On AskFRED, create an account, verify your email, add the correct fencer, and save their membership number. Choose the eligible épée event, complete required fields and waivers, and pay as instructed. Check that your entry is confirmed; a waitlist place is not a confirmed entry.
Save the confirmation, registration deadline, withdrawal policy, and event-specific check-in deadline. Watch for organizer updates. AskFRED registration walkthrough
4. Get your equipment ready
Bring properly fitted equipment in good condition:
- Épée mask with an intact bib and secure retention straps.
- Fencing jacket, underarm protector, and fencing knickers; jacket and knickers must overlap correctly.
- Fencing glove, long socks covering the legs to the knickers, and suitable athletic shoes.
- Chest protector where required; it is mandatory for women under USA Fencing rules. Ask your coach about fitting and youth use.
- At least two working electric épées and two working épée body cords.
Y10 requires shorter blades; have your coach confirm the correct size. Épée does not use a lamé or mask cord. Check national-event surname marking requirements before traveling. Label your gear and test weapons and cords before leaving.
USA Fencing equipment guidance · Current Athlete Handbook and Rulebook
5. Plan the trip
Confirm the venue, event day, check-in deadline, and equipment-inspection hours before booking travel. Plan to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before pools start, with enough time for check-in, equipment inspection, a full warm-up, and warm-up bouts. Arrive earlier if the posted check-in deadline or inspection schedule requires it, and allow extra time for travel delays. For an early event away from home, arriving the previous day can make preparation easier.
Discuss coaching availability and arrangements before registering. For youth travel, agree who is supervising, transport arrangements, and emergency contacts beforehand; follow current USA Fencing SafeSport guidance.
If flying, pack weapons in checked baggage with the tips protected. Check your airline’s sporting-equipment size and weight rules. Carry essential clothing and permitted equipment with you where practical. Pack water, food, a change of clothes, and basic repair supplies.
TSA weapon baggage guidance · USA Fencing safety guidance
6. Check in and pass equipment inspection
Online registration does not replace tournament-day check-in. Aim to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before pools start so you can check in, complete equipment inspection, warm up, and fence warm-up bouts. You must also meet the event’s posted check-in deadline, which may require an earlier arrival. Bring your membership card or number and confirmation. Follow the organizer’s check-in process.
Take the items required by that event to equipment control and resolve any failures before fencing. At national events, inspected items include masks, gloves, and body cords for épée. Keep inspection marks visible. Warm up and have both weapons and cords ready at the strip; referees also check equipment there.
National tournament preparation
7. Follow the event and strip protocol
Check pool assignments and strip locations using the event’s posted system. Stay nearby and be ready when called. Bring your spare weapon and cord to the strip. Keep your mask on whenever fencing, follow the referee’s commands, and salute as instructed. Address questions respectfully to the referee; ask your coach about an unfamiliar situation.
Check the recorded score before confirming it. Between bouts, stay ready, drink water, and listen for the next call. After pools, check your elimination assignment rather than assuming the day is over.
8. Review the day
Before leaving, confirm that your event is finished and collect all equipment. Tell your coach how the day went: what worked, what felt difficult, and what you want to practice next. If your plans change before the tournament, withdraw through the organizer’s process by its deadline.
Guide checked September 30, 2026. Use the linked official rules and event instructions for updates.
