Rules and Regulations: Fencing

Rules and Regulations: Fencing
Updated for the 2010 - 2011 Season

SPORT SPECIFIC INFORMATION
1.1. Season Start Date - August 23, 2010
1.2. Season End Date - November 9, 2010
1.3. Date that all make-up games must be completed - November 9, 2010
1.4. Minimum number of players required to start a game "6"
1.5. Times of games-
1.5.1. Games will start promptly at 4:30 PM unless a change in time is mutually agreed upon by the schools, and is included in the official league schedules, as posted on www.psal.org.
1.5.2. A forfeit will be declared if a team does not show up within 30 minutes of game time.
1.6. All teams are required to complete their league schedules, and all games must be completed by May 4, 2010.
1.7. Games that are not played by May 4, 2010 will be counted as forfeits for both teams involved.

2. TRYOUTS & PRACTICE
2.1. Schools must have 10 days of practice prior to the first interschool contest (scrimmage or game).
2.2. Approved tryout dates for all students are August 23 - September 24.
2.3. A school may not conduct organized practices prior to August 23.

3. TEAM ROSTERS
3.1. All coaches must electronically submit a Team Roster to www.psal.org prior to the first scheduled contest (game, meet, match) of the season (league or non-league). Team rosters must include a team line up stating the fencer's position A, B, C.
3.2. No PSAL team is permitted to compete unless an approved team roster is posted on the website.
3.3. Failure to submit a roster will result in a forfeit for each contest played.
3.4. Minimum number of players required to start a game - 6
3.4.1. Line-up changes Lineups may be revised, once the official PSAL roster is posted, prior to the playing of the fourth scheduled match of the season.
3.4.2. Order of competition - 3-6, 1-5, 2-4, 1-6, 3-4, 2-5, 1-4, 2-6, 3-5

4. CHANGES IN SCHEDULE
4.1. The PSAL office will issue official schedules for each sport.
4.2. Coaches have an opportunity to request adjustments or corrections to dates, times, and locations.
4.3. Any changes in the schedule must be made by September 17, 2010.
4.4. The procedure for making any changes is to contact Ivan Lee, Commissioner, ativan.lee@olympian.org.
4.5. Be sure to include the original game number, new date, time and location.
4.6. All parties involved must be in total agreement, so please contact the opposing coach and agree on a new date before making your request.
4.7. Everyone must be aware that site availability is a major concern when rescheduling a contest. Your requests will be carefully reviewed and if possible, the change will be made
4.8. AFTER DATE, ONLY EMERGENCY REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR SPORTS COORDINATOR.
4.9. NO CHANGE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT HAS BEEN CHANGED ON THE SCHOOLS SCHEDULE POSTED ON THE PSAL WEBSITE.

5. SEVERE WEATHER DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS
5.1. OUTDOOR SPORTS-ONLY
5.1.1. Sports with Officials-The teacher coach of the home team must notify the Athletic Director and or the teacher/coach of the opposing team and the assignor of a cancellation by 1:00 PM for regularly scheduled league games.
5.1.2. Sports without Officials-The teacher/coach of the home team must notify the Athletic Director and the teacher/coach of the opposing tame and the commissioner of a cancellation by 1:00 PM for regularly scheduled league games.
5.2. INDOOR SPORTS-ONLY
5.2.1. All games will be played as scheduled unless cancelled by the PSAL. Check www.PSAL.org after 10:00 AM on game day.
5.3. NO CHANGE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE SCHOOLS' SCHEDULES AND ON THE PSAL WEBSITE.

6. STUDENT- ATHLETES
6.1. Each student-athlete must have a signed parental consent form on file for each sport before the first day of participation in that sport (tryouts, practice).
6.2. Each student-athlete must have a current (within one calendar year) medical certificate on file before the first day of participation (tryouts, practices).
6.3. No player transferring from another school may be added to a team roster after October 26, 2010 (2 weeks before the completion date of the regularly scheduled league games).
6.4. On days of normal school attendance, a student-athlete must be present in school in order to participate in any team practice, scrimmage, league or non-league game, meet, match, contest or tryouts on that day

7. TEACHER/COACHES
7.1. All coaches must attend one of the mandatory coaching clinics.
7.2. Failure to attend will result in a loss of 2 hours from your coaching allocation.
7.3. Games cannot proceed unless both coaches are present and the required AED unit is present. All coaches must bring their AED unit to all games, practices and scrimmages.
7.4. If the AED unit is NOT present, a coach cannot practice, scrimmage, or play a game.
7.5. If it is a game situation and neither team has an AED unit, the game will be declared a forfeit and each coach will have 4 hours deducted from his/her allocation.
7.6. Coaches must be present in the gymnasium when his/her team is practicing.
7.7. Each teacher/coach must actively supervise team members, until they are safely away from the site of competition at "away" games.
7.8. A licensed teacher with current First Aid/CPR/AED may substitute for the assigned teacher coach.

8. VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACHES
8.1. Up to two volunteer assistant coaches are permitted to be on the bench during a game, provided they are duly authorized by the school Principal.
8.2. A letter of authorization from the Principal must be affixed to the official scorebook, for inspection by officials and coaches. NO WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PSAL IS REQUIRED.
8.3. If an assistant is to substitute at any time for the Head Coach, the assistant must be in possession of a six digit Department of Education file number and fully certified in First Aid/CPR/AED.
8.4. All pertinent regulations regarding the use of volunteers in the schools will be observed.

9. OFFICIALS
9.1. Assignor Ivan Lee may be reached at 347 451-1761 or ivan.lee@olympian.org
9.2. All officials will be assigned by the Assignor.
9.3. Notify the Sports Commissioner or the appropriate Assignor by email or phone when an official is late or not present.
9.4. Only officials who have been approved by the PSAL, and whose names appear on the officials' roster may be hired for non-league (as well as league) games.

10. COURTS & FIELDS
10.1. All courts and fields must be approved by the Sports Commissioner and the PSAL, prior to its first usage.
10.2. Teams not using their school sites will designate the sites for home games and notify the PSAL prior to the season by September 17, 2010.
10.3. All courts or fields must have the following, which are the responsibilities of the home team…
10.3.1. Item A - A marked or taped fencing strip. The official dimensions of the strip are 14 meters in length, 1.6 to 2.0 meters in width. An extended distance of at least 1.5 - 2 meters is required at each end of the strip. This will enable a competitor who crosses the rear limit of the strip a continuous surface. The centerline, on guard lines and end lines must be clearly marked.
10.3.2. Item B - A complete set of electronic scoring equipment.
10.3.3. Additional Items - Stopwatch and extension cord.
10.4. Schools that do not provide the above-mentioned items may forfeit their games while in violation.
10.5. Any violations of the above must be reported to the PSAL and the Sports Commissioner immediately.

11. EQUIPMENT
11.1. Sport Specific Equipment Electrical weapons
11.2. Body cord
11.3. Properly fitted Lame
11.4. Safety Equipment Breast plates for girls and cups for boys. All fencers must have an underarm protector.
11.4.1. AED Unit MUST be present at ALL practices, scrimmages and games
11.4.2. The PSAL recommends that all coaches travel with a team medical bag, which includes the following items:
11.4.2.1. Ice packs
11.4.2.2. First aid Supplies
11.4.2.3. Ace bandage

12. UNIFORMS
12.1. All players must be in proper fencing uniforms according to the SPORT SPECIFIC Rules and Regulations.
12.2. Sport specific items
12.2.1. Mask with a sewn in bib. A fencing mask may not be painted, colored or designed in any fashion. Hats or caps may not be worn under the mask.
12.2.2. Underarm protector
12.2.3. White fencing jacket
12.2.4. White fencing knickers with long white sport socks. No skin may be exposed when in the on guard position.
12.2.5. Padded glove
12.2.6. Fencing shoes or sturdy sneakers
12.2.7. Jewelry may not be worn over or under the target area. No jewelry may be worn under the fencing mask.

13. COMPETITIONS
13.1. Home Team
13.1.1. The first team named in the schedule is the home team.
13.1.2. The home team must provide a safe and private dressing area for visiting team members.
13.2. Bench Area
13.2.1. The only people permitted in the designated bench are:

The teacher/coach (Varsity and/or Junior Varsity)
Assistant teacher/coaches authorized by the Principal and published on www.psal.org.
Student Managers, only as listed on the team profile
Team Members, only as listed on the official roster published on www.psal.org.
Sports Specific personnel (example: physicians, trainers, etc).

13.3. All other persons and spectators must be seated in the stands.
13.4. Violation of this rule can result in penalties to be determined by the PSAL

14. SCORING AND TIME KEEPING
14.1. All scoring will be done electronically and properly recorded by the official scorekeeper. There will be only one official score keeper and one official timer designated by the home team coach. Referees reserve the right to keep their own time.

15. REGULATION GAME
15.1. The official rules for foil/epee and the rules for competition as defined in the USFA Rules Manual shall prevail with the following exception:
15.2. The rushing attack (fleche) is prohibited. The fleche herein described is a rushing attack in which the rear foot passes in front of the lead foot before a touch is scored. This does not apply when a fencer is retreating. The referee will ALWAYS annul any touch scored on a fleche and award a touch for any valid hit by the opponent. In addition, the referee will penalize the fencer with a yellow card for the first offense and a red card for all subsequent offenses. Keep in mind that multiple touches may be awarded in these situations.
15.3. All bouts or matches must preserve the character of a courteous and honest encounter with no abnormal actions. Examples of abnormal actions would be slashing, poking with force or whipping.
15.4. Disorderly fencing, any intentional fall, brutal hits and touches made while falling are forbidden.
15.5. A fencer on the strip must keep his/her mask on during the entire bout unless the referee has acknowledged a request to remove the mask.
15.6. The duration of a bout shall be three minutes of actual fencing time with no warning given. In the event of a tie after three minutes, a coin will be tossed. An additional minute will be fenced. If the tie remains after the final minute, the winner of the coin toss shall win the bout.
15.7. Each coach is allowed one thirty (30) second timeout per fencer. Coaches may not speak to the fencer on strip during the opponent's time out. Timeouts are prohibited during the Invitational and Individual Championships.

16. BOX SCORES
16.1. Following each PSAL league contest, coaches are required to complete and submit box scores, within 24 hours, to www.psal.org.

17. FORFEITS
17.1. FOUR (4) hours of pay will be deducted from the teacher/coach's allocation for each forfeit on non-played PSAL League game.
17.2. A forfeit will be declared if a team does not show up within 30 minutes of game time.
17.3. A forfeit will be declared for any team having less than six players suited up for a contest.
17.4. A forfeit will be declared for any team that allows an inactive fencer to compete. Fencers who are academically ineligible, or who do not have medical/parental forms on file must be listed as inactive immediately.
17.4. All forfeits must be reported to the Sport's Commissioner and the Assignor within 24 hours of the contest.
17.5. The box score for a forfeited contest will be entered by the Sport's Commissioner.
17.6. Coaches may be subject to further disciplinary action, based up the circumstances surrounding the forfeit.

18. PROTESTS
18.1. Protests may only be made if a rule is alleged to have been applied incorrectly, or not applied.
18.2. No protest of judgment calls may be entered.
18.3. Coach must verbally inform the referee of the protest before play commences or resumes.
18.4. If no referee is present, the protesting coach must inform the other coach of the protest before play commences or resumes.
18.5. The protesting coach must ensure that a written statement of protest containing all pertinent information, including the rule(s), as quoted from the USFA 2010 rules manual, (www.usfencing.org) is signed by both the school's Athletic Director and Principal and postmarked or faxed to the Commissioner within two school days of the infraction.
18.6. No protest will be reviewed without the required signatures.
18.7. The Commissioner will render a formal decision within two school days of receipt.
18.8. The protesting coach may appeal the Commissioner's decision by ensuring that a written statement of appeal, containing all pertinent information, signed by both the school's Athletic Director and Principal is postmarked or faxed to the PSAL within two school days of receipt of the Commissioner's decision.
18.9. No appeal will be reviewed without the required signatures.
18.10. The PSAL will render a formal decision within two school days of receipt.
18.11. The decision of the PSAL is final.

19. DEVELOPMENTAL TEAMS
19.1. A developmental team is a new team entering the league for the first time or so designated by the PSAL.
19.2. Upon completing their first season, teams will be reviewed by the PSAL and have the option of petitioning the PSAL for "official" status.
19.3. Developmental teams must adhere to all of the rules governing PSAL teams.
19.4. The team record does not count in the Division standings.
19.5. The PSAL will assign a schedule for each developmental team.
19.6. Referees will be paid by the PSAL for each game assigned by the PSAL.

20. EJECTED STUDENT ATHLETES
20.1. The minimum penalty imposed upon a student-athlete ejected from a PSAL league contest by a referee will be a suspension from the next two scheduled PSAL contests (including league, post-season, or special events).
20.2. The referee will notify the Sports Commissioner immediately after the contest.
20.3. The teacher/coach must post the student-athlete as INACTIVE on the PSAL website.
20.4. The teacher/coach of the suspended student-athlete may appeal to the PSAL prior to the NEXT contest, only.
20.5. The PSAL may impose further sanctions if there is evidence that such sanctions are justified.
20.6. The PSAL will notify the teacher/coach of the decision prior to the NEXT scheduled league contest.

21. EJECTED TEACHER/COACHES
21.1. Any teacher/coach who is ejected from the contest must leave the gymnasium (court, field).
21.2. If a certified replacement teacher/coach (Department of Education licensed teacher with current First Aid, AED and CPR certifications) is not available, the ejected teacher/coach's team will forfeit the contest.
21.3. The Sports Commissioner will notify the PSAL of the ejection immediately after the game.
21.4. The ejected teacher/coach will be suspended:
21.4.1. 1st Ejection during current season- One (1) game suspension for the next scheduled league game (regular season or playoffs)
21.4.2. 2nd Ejection during current season-Two (2) games suspension and subject to further disciplinary action by the Principal, Superintendent and/or the PSAL.

22. BRAWL RULE
22.1. In the event of an altercation, if teacher/coaches lose control of their benches, and both benches clear to participate in the altercation, THAT GAME WILL BE DECLARED A DOUBLE FORFEIT AND BOTH TEAMS WILL FORFEIT A MINIMUM OF THE NEXT 2 SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES.
22.2. The PSAL Director may impose further sanctions if there is evidence that such sanctions are warranted.

23. DROPPING TEAMS FROM ACTIVE STATUS
23.1. If a team forfeits three games during the season, for not having the minimum number of players available for a league contest, that teams schedule will be cancelled for the remainder of the season.
23.2. The team's status for the following season will be reviewed by the PSAL.

24. PLAYOFF CRITERIA
24.1. All teams with a .500 or better record shall qualify for the playoffs.
24.2. Any teams who tie for the divisional lead at the end of the regular season will fence a one-bout (A vs. A) play-in prior to the first round of the playoffs. The winner of the bout will determine the winner of the division. This will not change any team's original seed for the playoffs.
24.3 The playoffs will be a one-day, single elimination event, with awards for Team Foil Champion, Team Epee Champion and overall Team Champion.

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