Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Competitors
Fencing competitions feature both individual and team events. In individual events, a single fencer competes against opponents through pool rounds and direct elimination brackets. In team events, each team consists of three fencers (plus one reserve), who fence in a relay format against the opposing team's members.
4.2 The Referee
The referee is the sole authority on the piste (Technical Rules t.46–47). Their responsibilities include:
- Calling fencers to order using the standard signals: On guard, Ready?, Play, Halt (Technical Rules t.23, illustrated in Figure 3 of the Rules)
- Analyzing the phrase to determine which fencer has right of way and therefore earns the touch (t.59, t.82ss, t.100)
- Awarding touches based on indicator lights and priority analysis
- Administering penalty cards (yellow, red, black) (t.144–157)
- Ensuring proper equipment function and safety throughout the bout (t.64–75)
- Managing the bout clock and score
4.3 Additional Officials
- Video Referee: At FIE-level competitions, a video referee reviews disputed calls. In individual events, a fencer has one possible appeal per bout in pools and two possible appeals in direct elimination bouts; if the referee agrees with the appeal, the fencer retains the right of appeal (Technical Rules t.61).
- Directoire Technique (DT): A panel of officials who oversee the overall organization of the competition, assign referees to pistes, and handle protests (Technical Rules t.137–138).
- SEMI Commission (Electrical Equipment): Technicians who verify and test all electrical scoring equipment, weapons, and body cords before and during competition, and who administer the FIE homologation process for fencing material (Annexe A to the Material Rules).
- Video Consultants: Assigned alongside referees to conduct video review at each stage of the competition (Technical Rules t.48–t.49).
4.4 Judges
Before the adoption of electronic scoring, side judges observed whether touches landed on valid or invalid target. Judges may still be called upon by the referee to assist in establishing the materiality of a hit (Technical Rules t.48, t.54.1), and two neutral judges may be designated by the Directoire Technique specifically to watch for illegal use of the non-sword arm or hand (t.30).