Age Requirements

AGE & CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTION RULES: Download Here

Fencers must be current competitive USFA members in good standing to compete in competitions conducted under the auspices of the USFA.  Foreign fencers must have a current FIE or Federation license.


For a fencer to compete in a specific age category competition or any "Open" level of competition conducted under the auspices of the USFA at regional, divisional, sectional, or national levels, the following criteria must be met. 

  • The fencer's birth year falls within that age bracket OR ---
  • If a fencer is currently, as of the entry deadline for that tournament, listed in a National age group point standing, the fencer may enter the next older age category of competition, even if that fencer is younger than allowed by the age bracket.
  • For categories of competitions in which criteria in addition to age must be met, the fencer must also meet those criteria by the entry deadline. There are different age eligibility criteria for the Veteran tournaments.

* Veteran ages are determined by the first day of the month of the Championships that year.

A: For National Tournaments & Junior Olympic Fencing Championships 2010-2011
(Excluding Summer Nationals & SN Qualifying Tournaments)

Category 

Birth Year

Classification 

 DV I

 Born in 1997 or Before

A, B, OR C

 DV II

 Born in 1997 or Before

 C, D, E OR U

 DV III

 Born in 1997 or Before

 D, E, or U

CHR

Born in 1997 or Before

N/A

 U20 (Junior)

 1991-1997

 N/A

 U20 Team (Junior)

 1991-1997

 N/A

 U17 (Cadet)

 1994-1997

  N/A

 Y14

 1996-1999

  N/A

 Y12

 1998-2001

  N/A

 Y10

 2000-2003

  N/A

 Veteran Open (40 & Older)

 Born in 1970 or Before

  N/A

 Vet 50 (50-59)

 9/2/51 - 9/1/61

  N/A

 Vet 60 (60-69)

 9/2/41 - 9/1/51

  N/A

Vet 70 (70+)

Born before 9/2/41

 N/A

 

B: 2011 National Championships & Associated REGIONAL, DIVISION & SECTION Qualifying Competitions ONLY

Category 

Birth Year

Classification 

 DV I

 Born in 1997 or Before

A, B, OR C

 DV IA

 Born in 1997 or Before

N/A

 DV II

 Born in 1997 or Before

 C, D, E OR U

 DV III

 Born in 1997 or Before

 D, E, or U

CHR

Born in 1997 or Before

N/A

 U19 (Junior)

 1992-1998

 N/A

 U16 (Cadet)

 1995-1998

  N/A

 Y14

 1996-1999

  N/A

 Y12

 1998-2001

  N/A

 Y10

 2000-2003

  N/A

 Veteran (40 & Older)

Born in 1970 or earlier

  N/A

 Vet 40 (40-49)

9/2/61 - 1970

  N/A

 Vet 50 (50-59)

 9/2/51 - 9/1/61

  N/A

 Vet 60 (60-69)

 9/2/41 - 9/1/51

  N/A

Vet 70 (70+)

Born before 9/2/41

 N/A

Under 19 Team

1992-1998

 N/A

Senior Team

Born in 1997 or Before

 N/A

Veteran Team

Born in 1970 or Before

 N/A

EXCEPTION TO AGE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (All other qualification criteria remains):

  1. Youth 12 – A fencer born after 2001 can fence in Youth 12 IF the fencer is on the National Youth 10 point standings at the time of the entry deadline for that tournament.
  2. Youth 14 – A fencer born after 1999 can fence in Youth 14 IF the fencer is on the National Youth 12 point standings at the time of the entry deadline for that tournament.
  3. Cadet (U17) – A fencer born after 1997 can fence in Cadet (U17) local and regional competitions, NAC Cadet tournament and Junior Olympic Cadet (U17) Fencing Championships qualifying round, IF the fencer is on the National Youth 14 point standings at the time of the entry deadline for that tournament.
  4. Junior (U20) – A fencer born after 1997 can fence in Junior (U20) local and regional competitions, NAC Junior (U20) and Junior Olympic Junior (U20) Fencing Championships qualifying round, IF the fencer is on the National Cadet (U17) point standings at the time of the entry deadline for that tournament.
  5. Cadet (U16) – A fencer born after 1998 can fence in Cadet (U16) qualifying competition for the 2011 Summer National Cadet Championships IF the fencer is on the National Youth 14 point standings at the time of the entry deadline for that tournament.
  6. Junior (U19) – A fencer born after 1998 can fence in Junior (U19) qualifying competition for the 2011 Summer National Junior Championships IF the fencer is on the National Cadet (U16) point standings at the time of the entry deadline for that tournament.
  7. Division I, IA, II, III – For all local, regional (including ROC) and national (e.g., NAC) those born after 1997 must be on the National Junior point standings; for the  2011 National Championships and qualifying competitions for Division I, IA, II, and III those born after 1997 must be on the National Junior point standings.