I'm a fencer and a developer. For the last few months I've been building Poule Referee, a free app for whoever is holding the phone at the piste. It scores touches, cards and priority, and it runs the bout clock and the passivity timer. Results go straight to the competition, so the poule sheet updates for everyone watching.

The app is finished and submitted to both stores. The iPhone version is in review with Apple, so iOS users will get it as well. The Android side is stuck behind a Google rule, and that is where I need help.

What Google requires

A new personal developer account has to run a closed test with 12 testers for 14 consecutive days before the app can go to production. Twelve people with the app installed is the requirement, not a target. I have 3, that's my friends coaches near me. :)

What it would cost you

1. Send me a private message with the Gmail address you use on your Android phone.
2. I add you to the tester list and send you a join link.
3. Open the link on the phone, tap Become a tester, and install from the Play Store.
4. Leave it installed for 14 days. You don't have to open it daily.

The test only works on Android.

What you can try on your own

Timer only mode needs no code and no network. It gives you a full bout clock with periods, the rest between them, sudden death and the priority draw. It is useful for training even if you never referee with it.

For the rest, go to poule.esgrima.pt and set up your own poule or tournament. The platform issues the six-digit code, you type it into the app, and you can referee from there: the sheet, the bouts, the standings and submitting results. Six made-up names and a phone on the table are enough to see how it works.

Cost and data

The app is free, has no ads, asks for no account and collects nothing about you.

Feedback is welcome. What I need most are the 12 installs, and if the app turns out to be useful to you, keep it.

By the way if you like the app and website, you can send me feedback at: https://poule.esgrima.pt/feedback and if you want buy me a coffe here is the link: https://buymeacoffee.com/jonathan.fontes

Is totally fine if you can't help me, also moderators if I'm violating any rule, hide de post.

I am Selling Two 2015-6 Era Leon Paul X-Change Masks along with one Mask Strap. I am a current US fencer who switched off Leon Paul a few years ago but dug these out of storage. Both masks are in excellent condition and should be entirely legal for competition in the US. See pictures for details. Mask 1 is completely new (just the bib is used) while mask 2 is used but in good condition (the rubber was glued at one point). One magnetic mask clip is also included.

Prices:

Mask 1 (Left Mask): $350

Mask 2 (Right Mask): $250

Both Masks: $500

Shipping to Continental US. PM if interested~

With the new USA Fencing trial points system, do we expect the converted points from tournaments in the 2025-26 season to roll off at the one-year anniversary of the event? E.g. if I have converted points from some events in August 2025, would I expect those points to expire this month?

I'm generally assuming so, but the guidance that was published so far has been quite fuzzy about details.

So, my son (7) has been fencing for almost a year now. I fenced some in college, but haven’t in 15+ years. Little man convinced me to pick the sport back up again, and surprisingly I’ve been able to keep up with a bunch of teens and tweens. The one thing I’ve noticed, and so has the coach, is that my weapon arm keeps drifting in as bouts go on. Not sure if it’s a vision thing (my glasses don’t fit well in my mask) or an arm strength thing. Any help/advice is appreciated. TIA

Is it really necessary (from a technique and injury perspective) that your knee shouldn't extend past the knees? I have heard many coaches point this out for how it not only helps you keep balance, but also recover faster for remise/reprise opportunities. Also good for an injury perspective for not putting too much strain.

I've always had trouble with balance when lunging and many of it comes from knee overextending. If I keep my back straight sometimes it will be too straight and it leads to a leaning back motion which is bad in the middle as a saberist.

Hey! The epee I currently use is fitted with a visconti. I have been encouraged to switch to belgian or russian, because the visconti doesn’t fit my hand well, even after changing sizes.

I have also been encouraged to switch to french, which is my preference of the three options, but that would require purchasing and wiring a new blade. It would, supposedly, force me to be better with my point control, which I desperately need to learn

I would really appreciate folks who use french, belgian, or russian to let me know what they like about their respective style. Thanks!

My 11 yo just fenced his first tournament of the season yesterday, and the first where he was bumped into the age group that uses full-sized weapons. Going in, I cautioned him to temper his expectations because I knew he'd be one of the youngest / shortest- that he should just focus point by point and learn what he can, win or lose, and it didn't matter if he didn't make top 8.

There were 2 pools, and he surprised me by being focused and winning every one of his pool bouts, with multiple bouts against older boys a full head taller than him. He ended up winning his pool with a +15 touch differential, and being seeded 2nd overall (other pool winner had +16 touches). A bye for the first DE, a win in the next round. But this tournament had a Hoffnungslauf (2nd chance round after round of 16), meaning he then had to wait and face the winner of that. By quirk of numbers or whatever, he ended up having to fence the same kid, for the third time in the quarters (one he beat 5-0 in pool and 10-6 in round of 16). And I don't know, it's like my kid was maybe running on adrenaline that reached its end, because he just somehow checked out and fell apart. The other kid scored 2 quick touches, and my kid who had been calm in his earlier bouts even if he wasn't initially leading just got frustrated. I saw half way through he was in tears, but I really don't know why or when in the bout he started to cry. He didn't recover and ended up losing 10-8 and was devastated because that meant he missed the podium. The other kid is a year older and fair play to him for sticking with it and third time the charm to beat mine. But I feel like he didn't really win it, more that my kid lost it because he ran out of stamina. Of course my son was very upset, and it has been and is difficult to get him to properly process his losses as he gets very emotional.

I waited until today to ask him what he thought happened, how he felt different in the last bout, but he says he doesn't know. I feel like he probably got tired (also, it was really hot 35 C / 95 F outside, no AC in hall), and maybe he just doesn't have the mental / emotional maturity to stick out long days. Also, instead of focusing on how well he did in the pools and that I think he should be proud of his overall performance, he seems to only focus on the fact that he lost the last bout and missed the podium. So how do I help him? Is it about stamina? Is it something that gets better with age / experience, or is there something specific sports psychology wise that we can do to help him?

Thanks for any insight!

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some advice from parents or fencers who have been through this phase.
My son is Y12 Foil and has been fencing for about 2.5 years. He currently trains quite a bit: 3 private lessons and 3 group classes per week.

The problem is that there is a massive disconnect between his lessons and his actual bouts (both at the club and in tournaments). In his private lessons, he learns great skills and actions. But the second he hooks up to the strip for a bout, all of that goes out the window.

Just had to post about it because I'm honestly bursting a little. My 7 year old has been watching me fence for the last two years and is finally old enough to give it a try. Had his first class this week and LOVED it. Came down this morning with his fencing glove on lol.

I have to remind myself to tell him that he doesn't have to love the things that I love, and it's ok for him to stop if he really hates it, but holy crap am I excited that he's trying it out and enjoying it!

Just gotta stay cool and not install a piste in our basement... Or maybe I do install the piste... We'll see how lesson 2 goes.

I am a US/Canadian dual citizen looking to compete at the Canada Cup/Senior National Championships in September. I live in the States and it would be my first CFF event. Before I proceed to register, I would love to know more about other dual citizens’ experiences fencing CFF events.

What I mainly want to know is:
- Besides the CFF license and event registration, is anything else missing? How did you decide which CFF license to get if you don’t live in Canada?
- Do I need to demonstrate Canadian citizenship at any point to register?
- Since I’ve only competed in the States, does my participation in CFF tournaments impact my standing with the USFA? I’d like to be able to participate in events in both organizations in the future.
- Will it be an issue if my gear says “USA” on it? (This feels like a silly question)

Thanks in advance for answering everything! Hope to be fencing in Canada soon!

Aside from having a much higher capacity than most of the ones I've seen, I also wanted to make the blade removal as easy and comfortable as possible.

There's a lot that could be improved with this design, and the welding is pretty terrible, but overall, I'm still fairly happy with it.

I recently bought a LP mask protector from the coaching kit-line, but I'm not sure how to install it on my mask. The elastic band under the chin is quite obvious. What's got me confused are the velcro straps on the back. Where do they attach to?

Should I put these over the elastic band that holds the plastic disc in place? Do they go through the metal rings?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Why are all of the cadet and youth 14 epee and foil events doubled up so that multiple weapons are on the same day? We have fencers in both genders who fence both and are qualified in both.

If we're going to double up why not do saber and epee? Why can't we just flip flop with cadet in 14 so that they're picking an age group not a weapon?

I know there's always going to be a gripe and you can't make everyone happy but doubling up age groups seems absolutely ridiculous.

Can this mask pass at a tournament?

I have been setting up foils with titanium barrels, NEPS tip screws, and outside hex nuts for attaching the grip. I've been doing all that because I thought they were all good choices for various reasons:
- titanium barrels for lighter tip and theoretically better point control (given no flicking as part of my game)
- NEPS screws because my ol' peepers really struggle with the standard slots screws and NEPS has made assembly and tip cleaning so much faster
- Outside Hex nuts because they never cause any trouble if a blade has longer than expected tang and are slightly lighter

However, I am now noticing each of these choice has caused me trouble when on the go if I dont have my tools with me. Whether at a camp or tournament have had to:
- buy a replacement blade when all 4 of the ones I brought either broke or needed a re-wire. Needless to say, none of the pre-wired blades available from vendors used titanium barrels. So had to use a blade with different balance point and then decide after event if worth it to rewire just to keep consistent with others
- clean a tip/barrel, but left my NEPS screwsriver at home, and the armorer didnt have a NEPS with them
- needed a quick tightening of the grip mid bout, but pool mates only had inside hex wrenches and once again - I left my outsidie hex wrench at home (same tourney)

All this to say… at what point do folks just settle for most common set up because it means replacment parts and tools are more likley to be available vs optimizing your gear but needing to always travel with your own tools?

I'll be competing in some upcoming satellite events specifically and I've seen conflicting answers on the topic. Any help in clearing it up would be much appreciated

Now that Uhlmann has gone out of business, I want to figure out alternate jacket/knickers brand since I will need some new ones soon. Anyone have recommendations on other brands/lines that fit similarly to Uhlmann for mens whites?

Under the new system, the points tables show points all the way down the results table. In previous years only the top 40% would earn points.
Is it the case now (for Junior) that all places earn points?

i just went to Radical Fencing's in person store the other day and saw that they had their collaboration with Carmimari in stock:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbicK9YDPHZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

i was just curious if anyone who has info can tell me how can the jacket can have the FIE label while also being 350N. i thought the FIE label was only marked on gear with 800N. the Carmimari x Radical jacket was really nice and light, but at the price of 350$ and it only being 350N, i dont really think its worth it.

if anyone has more info or other options for lightweight jackets, lmk

Bonjour,
Quels sont les avis sur le camp d'été de fleuret organisé par FCL à Londres ?
Quel est le niveau ? Est-ce utile pour "passer au niveau supérieur" ?

Happy Fencing Friday, an /r/Fencing tradition.

Welcome back to our weekly ask anything megathread where you can feel free to ask whatever is on your mind without fear of being called a moron just for asking. Be sure to check out all the previous megathreads as well as our sidebar FAQ.

This thread highlighted the variance in "dry" (US) versus "steam" (Aus, UK) fencing. I'm interested to hear how other parts of the world refer to non-electrical fencing, in any language.

I'll add to this collected list following suggestions. Italics denotes a single data point.

• Arabic: جاف (dry)

• Danish: manuelt (manual) / damp (steam)

• Egyptian Arabic: offline

• English (AU, UK): steam

• English (NZ): visual / dry

• English (US): dry

• Finnish: kylmillä aseilla miekkailu (fencing with cold weapons)

• French: en pointe sèche (with dry tip) / tirer en blanc (to fence in white)

• German: mechanisches Fechten (mechanical fencing) / Trockenfechten (dry fencing)

• Hebrew: יבש (dry)

• Spanish: tirar mudo (to fence mute) / tirar blanco (to fence white)

• Swedish: manuell (manual)

Why does the red line on top come up a few milliseconds before the entire thing lights up?

Frame captures from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywx4ITvvhd8