New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-24
NEW RULES FOR FENCING
European Methods Adopted by
Amateur League.
NO TIME LIMIT HEREAFTER
Experiences at Olympic Games
Last Summer Lead to
Radical Changes.

AS a result Of the experience gained by
our American swordsmen in the recent
Olympic meet at Stockholm, rules govern
ing fencing in this country have just
undergone changes of tho most radical
character In years. The recommendation
Of the men who made close study or
European methods met with such high
favor among the members OF the con-
trolling body here that almost without
exception they were adopted unanimously
at the annual meeting OF the Amateur
Fencers' League OF America on Tuesday.
such was the announcement made yes
terday by w. Scott OConnor. secretary
OF the national organization.
The action OF the league eliminates
practically all the salient points OF dif-
ference that have existed between the
American code and the international rules
that governed the competition at the
Olympic games. II is practically an en-
bodiment OF the foreign regulations.
There will be no time limit hereafter
in foils competition Instead OF four min
utes. as customary, contestants will have
to hold the strip until one or the other
has gained n total Of five touches. Under
the old rules n majority OF seven touches
decided a bout In addition the Olympic
scoring system was adopted, whereby ties
I'm the number OF matches won are settled
not by series Of fence-on bouts, but by
comparison OF tho aggregate number or
touches made throughout the tournament
Score boards at all tournaments will be
compulsory hereafter. The custom or
awarding E point for form, a practice
that has often caused trouble in close
matches, has been eliminated. as we'll as
the rule making It obligatory for the con-
testant to announce whether he has been
touched, fair or foul
II has also been the custom TO award
point 10 fenCer when his rival steps
Of the strip, or when he turns or covers
his body with his arms in such way as
70 make II impossible for the attacker TO
score a legal point No points VIII be
added hereafter. Instead the OFFENDING
contestant will have point deducted
from his total
The size OF the sabre has been reduced
70 conform with the one in use In Eu-
rope. II Is to be thirty-hve inches long,
half an inch in width and not more than
one-duarter OF an inch at the point The
total number OF points necessary TO win
a bout has been reduced from nine to
seven. Double touches. instead Of count
ing nil. will cause one point TO be de-
Quoted from each swordsman's score.
The stop thrust has been eliminated, max
ing II imperative now for tho defender 10
parry before lunging.
The three-prong point d'arrst has been
adopted for duelllnG sword competition.
II Is a triangular arrangement on top OF
the button, and Is wrapped with the whip
ping. When Il touches any part OF the
fencer's clothing It leaves slight I'M
| preston, thereby helping the officials IN
finding the point Of contact Judges may
no longer nullify a touch or a double
| touch.
While the schedule OF tournament dates
has not been completed, II was announced
| that the series in the local division viii
begin on December II with informal bouts
at the New York Turnverein.
BY another important constitutional
amendment women fencers have been
made eligible 10 membership in the league.
II is hoped this action will be stimulus
| TO the development OF the sport among
the women. The women's national cham
pIonship will be held at the Hotel Astor
during the latter part OF April, In con-
| function with the title meet for men.