At NIFC, we have several rules in place in ensure the safety and wellbeing of those fencing at our club.
MASKLESS Practicing
Practicing wtih any weapon, while not wearing a mask is strictly forbidden, especially with ohters and/or in close proximity to others who may not be wearing a mask. If caught you will be yelled at and recieve a warning. This also includes horseplay with weapons, showing off tricks or techniques with weapons, etc. If you make a habit of it ignoring this rule you will be asked to leave the club, either on a temporary or a pemenant basis, depending upon the mood of the directors in the room at the time of the occurance.
Flunge: Action unique to saber - a combination of a lunge and a fleche. Evolved after the FIE modified saber rules in 1992 to prohibit running attacks.[1]
Saber Flunges are BANNED from use by any member who has not:
Penalties:
1st offense - Warning
2nd offense - 60 day suspension
In fencing, the black card is the method that officials use to remove a fencer from competition when they break the code of honor.[2] At NIFC, if a fencer commits a "black cardable" offense during practice, this will result in a 60 day suspension from NIFC. If a member accumilates 3 black cards at NIFC, the suspension will be permanent.
USA Fencing Black Cards [3]
NIFC will NOT refund prepaid dues for periods of suspension. If membership expires during the suspension, the suspension period must be fully paid before membership can be renewed.
[1] https://www.usafencing.org/glossary-of-fencing
[2] https://academyoffencingmasters.com/blog/code-of-honor-understanding-the-black-card-in-sports/
[3] https://capdiv.usafencing.org/forms/2019-02-USA-Fencing-Penalty-Chart.pdf