Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some common FAQs. If you have a question about Youth Fencing, please send it to the Youth Development Committee, in care of the Chair, Maureen Griffin ([email protected])
1. Are referees at the Super Youth Circuit events arranged/provided by the USFA or are they provided by the organizers of the event?
Referees are hired and provided by the organizers of the event, not the USFA.
2. Could you please clarify for me the points earned at the Regional Youth Circuits?
RYCs do not award points. Points are awarded at the SYC’s and at the Youth NACs and Summer Nationals.
3. How are points awarded at the Super Youth Circuits?
The SYCs will use the same point scale as the USFA domestic national point system. First place in Y10 and Y12 gets 100 points. First place in Y14 gets 200 points. Points are awarded to the top 40 percent to a maximum of 32nd place in the field in all age categories. Check the Athletes’ Handbook for more specific information.
4. Can a youth compete outside of his region?
Yes, fencers may compete in any RYC or SYC in the nation.
5. Do boys and girls fence together?
At RYCs, they may be combined if the number of entries is small. At the SYCs, Youth NACs and Summer Nationals, boys and girls will fence separately.
6. To qualify to Summer Nationals and the Spring Youth NAC in the Y10 and Y12 events, do fencers have to have points or is just participation in any one RYC or SYC enough to qualify to Summer Nationals and the Spring Youth NAC in the Y10 and Y12 events?
Participation in a RYC or SYC is required for Y10 and Y12 fencers to qualify to Summer Nationals and to the Youth NAC held in April.
The USFA National Office will verify from RYC results that Y10 or Y12 fencers have participated at a RYC before they can register for the Spring Youth NAC or Summer Nationals.
7. What about Y14 fencers?
They do not have to qualify for the Y14 events at NACs but to attend Y14 events at Summer Nationals; they must qualify through their Division Y14 Qualifiers or be on the US National Y14 Rolling Point List for that weapon. Y14 is not like Y10 and Y12, where participating in a RYC or SYC is enough to qualify.
8. Where can I get more information about fencing?
Check the USFA Athletes’ Handbook on the USFA Web site. It explains all of the point systems for all fencers.