Fencing:Change log and notes
Change Log and Notes
Version 7.1 - 3 November 2025
After we published the approved version of the updated fencing rules, we spotted that we had inadvertently reduced the required limb protection for cut and thrust combat when we updated the rules to account for the new reduced armour requirements from standard fencing. This was not intended. We have corrected this error with the updates below to bring us back into compliance with Society rules.
8.6 Protective equipment - Legs, feet and arms
- 8.6.1
- Was
- You may wear abrasion-resistant material on your legs and arms if you prefer, but it is not required. Note that the upper inner arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit must be covered by penetration-resistant material.
- Now
- For standard fencing, you may wear abrasion-resistant material on your legs and arms if you prefer, but it is not required. Note that the upper inner arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit must be covered by penetration-resistant material."
- Added rule as 8.6.2 and subsequent rules renumbered
- For Cut and Thrust fencing, limbs must be covered by abrasion-resistant material.
Version 7 - 4 October 2025
Including changes from V6 to V7
Changes to Chapter 8 - Protective equipment
- 8.3.4 - Head
- Was
- If you wear a mask, the rest of your head must be covered by at least penetration-resistant material. This can be worn inside or over the mask.
- Now
- If you wear a mask, the rest of your head must be covered by at least abrasion-resistant material. This can be worn inside or over the mask.
- Functional change
- The required protection has been reduced from penetration-resistant to abrasion-resistant material.
- Reason
- To reduce the risk of heat injury, which has been occurring at a significantly higher rate than penetration injuries
- 8.5.1 - Torso
- Was
- You must wear penetration-resistant material to protect your torso, including your chest, back and abdomen, and your upper arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit.
- Now
- You must wear penetration-resistant material to protect your torso, including your chest, back and abdomen, groin, and your upper arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit.
- Functional change
- No change
- Reason
- Changed to explicitly include the word groin as part of the torso requiring coverage by penetration-resistant material for all combatants. This is a clarification of an existing rule, not a change.
- 8.6.1 - Legs, feet and arms
- Was
- You must wear abrasion-resistant material on your legs, feet and arms.
- Now
- You may wear abrasion-resistant material on your legs and arms if you prefer, but it is not required. Note that the upper arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit must be covered by penetration-resistant material.
- Functional change
- You no longer have to wear any material on your legs, or arms below 10cm from your armpit. It can be bare skin.
- Reason
- To reduce the risk of heat injury, which has been occurring at a higher rate than abrasion injuries.
- 8.7.1 - Hands
- Was
- You must wear gloves made of at least abrasion-resistant material to cover your hands and fingers.
- Now
- It is recommended that your hands and fingers be covered by abrasion-resistant material, but is not required.
- Chapter 12 - Inspections has also been adjusted to account for gloves now only being required for Cut and Thrust
- Functional change
- You no longer have to have any form of hand protection. You can have bare skin.
- Reason
- To reduce the risk of heat injury, which has been occurring at a higher rate than abrasion injuries.
Updated link - 24 February 2025
The link to the Society Fencing rules in 6.1.2 was out of date. An updated link has been added. The link to the Concussion Recognition Tool has been updated to a more recent edition.