Z,

Does this still stand?

Using the wrist strap or Martingale PDF <javascript: void(0)> Print
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Written by Bill Oliver
Tuesday, 16 March 2004
The rules regarding the use of the wrist strap or Martingale in electric
fencing, particularlay in foil and epee, are often misunderstood, or
misremembered.

wrist strapIn some earlier editions of the USFA rules, the Martingale
was specifically addressed. In the 1975-1995 editions of the rules,
article 209 and 309 stated:

"When the foil/epee is not secured to the hand by an attachment or
by the body cord, the use of a martingale is mandatory"

In the 2003 edition, article m.4 states:

"3. All types of hilts are allowed providing that they conform to
the regulations which have been framed with a view to placing the
various types of weapons on the same footing. However, at épée,
orthopaedic grips, whether metal or not, may not be covered with
leather or any material which could hide wires or switches.

4. The grip must not include any device which assists the fencer to
use it as a throwing weapon.

5. The grip must not include any device which can increase in any
way the protection afforded to the hand or wrist of the fencer by
the guard: a cross bar or electric socket which extends beyond the
edge of the guard is expressly forbidden.

6. If the grip (or glove) includes any device or attachment or has a
special shape (orthopaedic) which fixes the position of the hand on
the grip, the grip must conform to the following conditions.
(a) It must determine and fix one position only for the hand on the
grip.
(b) When the hand occupies this one position on the grip, the
extremity of the thumb when completely extended must not be more
than 2 cm from the inner surface of the guard.

Note that paragraph 6 specifically addresses attachment devices, though
not by name, as in the earlier editions of the rules. This means that
any kind of wrist strap is allowed, regardless of the type of grip. The
strap can go around the hand or the wrist. The only requirement is that
the thumb has to be within 2cm of the guard at all times while the strap
is used.

Also note that the use of a wrist strap has been allowed in USFA
competition for almost 30 years, at least.

I hope that puts this issue to rest, once and for all.

Bill Oliver
FOC Rules committee

/Bill Oliver is a long-time member of the Fencing Officials Commission.
He serves on the Rules committee, the Ratings committee, and is the FOC
website administrator./

/In addition to serving on the FOC, Bill is a highly rated National and
International referee, manning the strip at most NAC's, Nationals, and
many World Cup competitions. /



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: oh read this rules discussion:
Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2006 18:03:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Christopher Medalis <cmedalis@...>
To: Chris French <clfrench@...>



RE: the advance giving priority...
It appears that from the FOC, advancing towards your opponent gives you a more
dominant role in the distance game, giving you the edge (not necc. priority),
however, it seems that most fencers /ref's over simplify the situation to
"advancing = priority" and the situation is much more complex than that.

http://www.fencing.net/content/view/42/1/

:) its a good article, as are most of the postings that Bill has done for F.net

Oops. [input]

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